Seeking: Director of Operations and Development
Salary: $30/hour, 20 hours per week
The Feast is currently a flat-income organization, all annual staff earn the same hourly salary.*
Reports to: Artistic Director Ryan Purcell
Manages: Accountant and seasonal Box Office Staff
Job Description:
The Feast seeks an ambitious and growth-oriented director of operations and development to help us transition from a small professional into a midsize organization with a national profile and reach. With a focus on capacity building, you will split time between organizational leadership and fundraising, with the occasional “all hands on deck” support in other areas. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of American theatre while supporting compelling art with a dynamic team. The role has great flexibility as well as opportunities for growth and career development.
About Us: The Feast (formerly The Williams Project) is a ten-year-old artist-driven theatre company that prizes virtuosic artists working in extremes; pays those artists really well; and builds maximalist, collectivist, welcoming events. We do this by producing 2-3 productions per year that pay artists a living wage, while offering pay-what-you-can tickets. Our staff consists of an artistic director, a communications manager/grant writer, and an outside accounting firm. Our repertoire features reimaginings of classic works by playwrights such as James Baldwin, Federico García Lorca, Lorraine Hansberry, and Oscar Wilde. In our ten-year history, we’ve paid artists over a million dollars. Our mission: Onstage and in the way we produce, The Feast creates an aesthetically and materially abundant American theatre.
Key Responsibilities:
Organizational Leadership:
The director of operations and development will take a leadership role in ensuring that The Feast is growing sustainably and responsibly, on both strategic and operational levels. Specifically, you will
- Work closely with the Board of Directors and Artistic Director to develop organizational and production budgets that support The Feast in achieving its mission;
- Track financial performance to ensure we are hitting our goals, and help identify moments to pivot or adapt;
- Manage accountant to ensure compliance and sufficient reporting;
- Execute operational tasks including payroll, onboarding, union relationships, and contracting.
- Serve as an ambassador for the organization in public, amplifying our mission and message.
Development:
The director of operations and development will develop strategy and execute on our contributed income for the organization. Specifically, you will:
- Work with artistic director to develop individual fundraising strategy, making decisions on major donors, events, and campaigns;
- Develop and execute two annual campaigns (spring and end-of-year) using different media to connect with prospective donors;
- Manage donor recognition programs, including recurring giving, donor acknowledgment, and thank you letters;
- Research and identify grant opportunities from government agencies, foundations, and other funding sources that align with our artistic mission and priorities;
- Work with grant writer and artistic director to develop compelling proposals and narratives for submission;
- Manage grant submissions, tracking, and reporting.
Essential Skills:
- Proven ability to lead and manage initiatives through all phases, including conception, project management, execution, and post-program evaluation;
- A strong ability to prioritize. There is always more work to be done than time available, and the right candidate will know how to use their time with impact.
- Proven ability to excel in flexible work environments, self-driven and adept at working independently;
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire stakeholders at all levels and across diverse backgrounds.
- Experience developing and following budgets that reflect the mission and needs of an organization;
- Passion for the arts and a deep commitment to advancing the mission and values of The Feast.
Preferred Skills:
- A proven track record with fundraising and development, whether through non-profit experience, crowdfunding, or other relevant experience;
- Experience working in nonprofits, especially theatre or arts organizations;
- Experience with HR, finance, and CRM software, like Quickbooks, Gusto, Salesforce, and others.
Benefits:
- 3 weeks of PTO annually;
- Flexible part-time schedule (20 hours per week).
- Opportunity to add hours based on performance;
- Access to professional development opportunities and networking events within the arts community;
- Discounted tickets and exclusive invitations to special events and performances.
Application Process:
Please submit a resume, cover letter, and references to ryan@the-feast.org by June 1st. We are seeking candidates who are passionate, ambitious, and ready to make a meaningful contribution to the growth and success of our organization. If you’re ready to join us on this exciting journey, we want to hear from you!