Manager of Annual Fund and Special Events (Full-Time)

Job Title: Manager of Annual Fund and Special Events (Temporarily Remote)
Job Status: Exempt full-time salaried position with benefits
Salary: $50,000-$55,000
Reports to: Artistic Director

TimeLine Theatre Company, recipient of the 2016 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions, is a Chicago not-for-profit theatre company dedicated to presenting stories that explore today’s social and political issues through the lens of the past. Since its inception in 1997, the company has garnered more than 50 awards for artistic excellence and business management. Now TimeLine is preparing for its next chapter with the establishment of a new home in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood.

As the company continues an ongoing development program for its Annual Fund, while also conducting a capital campaign and planning an early 2022 return to in-person performances and events, the Manager of Annual Fund and Special Events is an integral part of TimeLine’s Development team. You will be responsible for developing and executing the Annual Fund and managing the planning, logistics and execution of special events, including TimeLine’s annual Step Into Time gala, working in close collaboration with the Director of Marketing and Communications and the Associate Artistic Director.

Reporting to the Artistic Director and partnering with the Director of Major Gifts, you will provide leadership for the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors to the Annual Fund who contribute below $1,000, while strategizing opportunities to increase donations to higher levels, including support of the capital campaign.

You will supervise and provide mentorship for the Development Coordinator to ensure effective management of data, donor records, and grant writing processes, in order for you to attend to your own portfolio of prospects and the successful execution of donor events.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Donor Engagement

  • Provide leadership to create a robust annual giving program necessary to advance TimeLine’s mission, focused on individual donors who contribute below $1,000.
  • Collaborate with staff to understand programming goals and upcoming projects in order to develop compelling storytelling to convey to prospective donors.
  • Draft all broad-based donor communications, including fundraising appeals, impact reports and invitations.
  • Design and oversee the execution of donor cultivation and stewardship events.
  • Develop high-quality written and verbal correspondence to support department programs and activities.
  • Collaborate on initiatives and decisions related to fundraising strategies and goals.
  • Represent the department and organization as needed, including at performances, donor cultivation activities, and other community events.
  • Work collaboratively with all TimeLine’s staff to help build a culture of philanthropy.

Event Management

  • Serve as lead project manager to coordinate goal setting, planning and implementation of multiple fundraising events, including the Step Into Time gala, capital campaign-related events, Annual Fund & other special events, including opening nights and donor benefit events.
  • Articulate and manage event and program needs, selection of vendors and negotiation of contracts.
  • Partner with the Director of Marketing and Communications to conceptualize, organize, and implement a comprehensive communication plan, including creation and delivery of event artwork and invitations, development of promotional and social media messaging, and creation of on-site collateral, signage, and other support materials for use during events.
  • Partner with the Associate Artistic Director on thematic conceptualization, as well as budgeting and execution of all artistic and technical components, including silent auction display and merchandising, food and signature drinks, and room décor for Step Into Time.
  • Manage Step Into Time raffle, as well as silent auction inventory, packaging, and fulfillment.
  • Hire and supervise support staff, as needed, including volunteer management for Step Into Time.
  • Track income and expenses, manage invoicing, and prepare reports for event evaluation.
  • Maintain inventory of event supplies.

Development Administration

  • Audit, analyze and report on Annual Fund and event fundraising results to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Partner with the Director of Major Gifts to strategize donor benefits, sponsorship opportunities, and event conceptualization.
  • Work with the Director of Marketing and Communications to ensure that Development communications support TimeLine’s brand identity.
  • Develop strategies that encourage audience members on a path from attendee to donor (in support of TimeLine’s Cultivation Pyramid).
  • Oversee the work of the Development Coordinator, including goal setting and conducting performance reviews.
  • Monitor trends and stay abreast of best practices related to philanthropy, equity, diversity and inclusion, and update TimeLine’s development policies and procedures as needed.
  • Collaborate with the Development Team and entire staff to create more just and inclusive fundraising practices that further TimeLine’s goal to be an antiracist organization.

Other

  • Participate in weekly Operations and Staff meetings.
  • Support and actively engage in advancing the mission, vision, values, and strategic goals of TimeLine Theatre.
  • Collaborate with Development team to perform other duties, as assigned.

SKILLS AND DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS

  • Bring 3 or more years of development or relevant experience, with a successful record in:
    • Special event planning.
    • Strategically developing and implementing fundraising strategies that include annual fund
    • Gift processing and data
    • Working well with donors, volunteers and colleagues at all levels of
    • Demonstrating administrative self‐sufficiency and a willingness to work in Excel and TimeLine’s database (Patron Manager).
  • Embrace a passion for TimeLine’s mission and have the ability to inspire
  • Provide creative ideas and solutions to the Development team and organization.
  • Possess a high level of emotional intelligence and interpersonal
  • Supervise and mentor staff, with the ability to recognize and develop existing potential.
  • Be a leader who is poised and comfortable serving as a face of the organization with a variety of
  • Contribute excellent written and communication skills and be an articulate and persuasive storyteller with relationship‐building
  • Exhibit a strong, team‐oriented work ethic and be able to excel in a fast‐paced, growing organization.
  • Exhibit a personality and outlook that are inclusive, positive, optimistic, and
  • Perform other related management duties and responsibilities as required or

ABOUT TIMELINE THEATRE COMPANY

Founded in April 1997 with a mission to present stories inspired by history that connect with today’s social and political issues, TimeLine seeks to continue the extraordinary legacy of Chicago not‐for‐profit theatre companies that started small, dreamed big and matured into prominent institutions that enrich the cultural landscape of the city. Now celebrating our 25th season, TimeLine has emerged as a leader in the Chicago theatre community, distinguished by our unique mission and built on a reputation for artistic excellence and sophisticated business management.

The heart of TimeLine is our team of Company Members, who work collaboratively to shape the artistic vision and choose the programming for the organization. We produce four subscription‐series productions each season, as well as the TimePieces play reading series, the Living History Education Program in Chicago Public Schools, and TimeLine South, a summer arts program for teens.

The company strives to embody its vision and values, which include commitment to inclusion and embracing diversity in all its forms, and has been lauded by the Chicago Tribune as a “savvy and growing company, where more and more Chicagoans have come, with reason, to trust the power, truth and integrity of the work.” 

TIMELINE’S CORE VALUES

Staff members at TimeLine Theatre Company share the core values of the organization:

  • COLLABORATIVE: Valuing teamwork as a creative force
  • EXCEPTIONAL: Exemplifying excellence and innovation in everything we do
  • FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE: Managing resources effectively and appropriately
  • INCLUSIVE: Embracing diversity in all its forms
  • INTIMATE: Creating a close connection between art and audience
  • RESPECTFUL: Listening and being open to everyone’s perspective
  • HEALTHY & SAFE: Ensuring a clean environment and nurturing wellness

COVID PROTECTION PROTOCOLS

TimeLine has joined the coalition of more than 65 performing arts venues and producers across Chicagoland for unified COVID-19 protection protocols. TimeLine, along with the other coalition members, require staff, performers, crew and audience members to be fully vaccinated with an FDA-authorized vaccine and comply with the latest mask guidelines per the CDC and local officials.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job customarily operates in an office environment, however most TimeLine staff is currently working remotely due to the pandemic. This role routinely uses equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. While we are working remotely, you will be required to use Zoom conferencing software and other teleconferencing equipment to engage with the rest of the team. A personal internet service connection will be required; all other equipment to enable remote work will be provided.

Hours are typically 10AM-6PM, Monday through Friday, with adjustments available. Attendance at regular evening events is required. During event preparation, set-up, and break down Development staff is occasionally asked to lift up to 20 pounds.

COMPENSATION

This is a full‐time exempt position. The salary range is $50,000-$55,000. TimeLine offers a competitive benefits package. Regular full‐time employees are eligible for health, dental, vision, and life insurance; optional 403(b) retirement; generous paid leave policies (vacation, personal, sick, maternity/paternity/adoption, and holiday); and professional development support.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

It is an essential practice of TimeLine Theatre Company to recruit, hire, train and promote individuals, based upon personal capabilities and qualifications and without regard to race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or ancestry, marital status, citizenship, disability, military status, creed, or any other trait or characteristic protected by law. TimeLine Theatre Company is dedicated to the goal of building a diverse staff and an inclusive work environment. This policy of Equal Employment Opportunity applies to policies and procedures relating to all terms and conditions of employment at TimeLine Theatre.

All interested and qualified candidates should submit a resume and cover letter addressing your specific skills related to this position and what you find compelling about the opportunity by end of day Friday, October 29, 2021 to hr@timelinetheatre.com with the subject line “Manager of Annual Fund and Special Events” or via mail to Human Resources, ATTN: Manager of Annual Fund and Special Events Search, TimeLine Theatre Company, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago, IL 60657. No phone calls please.