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Director of Philanthropy

Warren Whitney
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THE OPPORTUNITY

The Richmond Ballet (The Ballet) is actively seeking a new Director of Philanthropy to support its mission to awaken, uplift, and unite human spirits through the power of dance. Led by Artistic Director Ma Cong, a bold and inspiring artist and choreographer, the Ballet is dedicated to delivering exceptional performances, dance training for all ages, and community engagement programs through educational initiatives.

This position represents a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the community by harnessing the transformative power of dance. The Richmond Ballet seeks to elevate its artistic presence and aims to strengthen community ties, making the role of the Director of Philanthropy vital for its future growth and success.

THE RICHMOND BALLET

The Richmond Ballet, designated as the State Ballet of Virginia in 1990, celebrated its 40th year as a fully professional company and has a rich history that began in 1957 as a civic organization. Today, the Richmond Ballet flourishes with a diverse repertory that encompasses both classic masterpieces and over 90 contemporary ballets created by international choreographers. On tour, the Company has performed at the Joyce Theatre in New York, Charleston's Gaillard Theatre, and Wolf Trap. Its international debut in London marked a significant milestone, followed by a successful tour to China in 2015.

The School of Richmond Ballet trains more than 800 students of all ages each year and runs a pre-professional training program which attracts aspiring dancers from all over the country.

Community engagement is a vital part of the education arm of Richmond Ballet. The only program of its kind in the Commonwealth Richmond Ballet's signature Minds in Motion (MIM), breaks down barriers to arts education and gives youth the opportunity to discover themselves and build community through creative expression.

The Ballet operates primarily from its own 51,000 square foot building in downtown Richmond and has an annual budget of approximately $6.5 million, with 65 full-time regular and 75 seasonal staff. For more information, please visit https://richmondballet.com/.

DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY PRIORITIES

The Director of Philanthropy is responsible for the organization's overall fundraising performance and strategy. Top priorities include:

  • In partnership with the Executive Director, Ma Cong, Board of Directors, and Development teams, design and implement a comprehensive multi-year development strategy to increase annual revenue and grow the Ballet's impact.
  • Create strategies and campaigns to significantly increase giving and identify new sources of major corporation, foundation, and individual donors; and cultivate those relationships.
  • Lead the development team, including the Director of Major Gifts & Donor Relations and one contracted Grant Writer, an Events coordinator, and Data Management Consultant.
  • Establish and maintain a working environment conducive to positive morale, quality, creativity, and teamwork.
  • Act as an ambassador for the Ballet by attending performances, fundraising events, and key high-profile events in the community to cultivate relationships with donors and prospects.
  • Effectively manage the budget and forecast of revenue and expenses for all contributed revenue. Work with leadership to determine the timing and nature of future Capital Campaigns.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

This position requires a bachelor's degree and a minimum of five (5) years of experience in a senior-level development role for a nonprofit, preferably in the Arts. In addition to a passion for the Richmond Ballet's mission and culture and the ability to fundraise, we understand that each candidate will bring a unique set of skills. The following points provide a profile of what the Richmond Ballet seeks:

Leadership

  • Proven record of achieving established fundraising goals, using traditional and new design methods, for securing major gifts, increasing gift levels from a long-standing donor base, and expanding the network of supporters, both individual and corporate gifts.
  • Ability to lead, manage, and inspire a team of onsite employees and remote contractors.
  • Ability to cultivate Board members and deepen relationships.

Stewardship

  • Demonstrated ability to build philanthropic relationships with individuals and organizations and positively represent the Ballet.
  • A high degree of interpersonal effectiveness to build collaborative and trusting relationships with all stakeholders.

Communication

  • Effective communication style and active listening skills.
  • A collaborative and collegial relationship style, and an ability to share credit for successes with Board members and staff.
  • Must be able to make presentations easily to a small or large group.

Organization & Technical Skills

  • Proficiency in database management and segmentation, thorough knowledge of all Microsoft Office suite programs. Proficiency in SharePoint and CRM, preferably Neon.
  • Excellent planning and organizational skills.
  • Attention to detail with an ability to prioritize projects and processes in a logical and effective manner.

Financial Acumen

  • Basic command of financial accounting and the ability to oversee budgeting and forecasting procedures for the development department.

The Director of Philanthropy reports to the Executive Director, and will work closely with Artistic Director, Ma Cong. The starting salary range is $115,000 to $125,000. Comprehensive benefits package including health, elective dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability, 403(b) option, 20 PTO days, and 14 holidays.

TO APPLY

Please send a cover letter, resume, and three (3) references.

References will not be contacted until later in the process, and with the candidate's knowledge. For questions, please contact Esther Nand at enand@warrenwhitney.com or (415) 404 - 2203.

For best consideration, please apply by August 19, 2025.

The Richmond Ballet and Warren Whitney are Equal Opportunity Employers. We aim to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented individuals from a diverse candidate pool and strongly encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Throughout the search process, we will make every effort to maintain a high degree of confidentiality for all candidates. Both Warren Whitney and the Richmond Ballet recognize that many candidates may be deeply committed to their current organizations but are intrigued by this opportunity. Expressions of interest will remain confidential until the final stages of the search.



For more information, or to apply now, you must go to the website below. Please DO NOT email your resume to us as we only accept applications through our website.

https://warrenwhitney.isolvedhire.com/jobs/1549127-476056.html