The Ordway: The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts is one of the leading performing arts centers in the United States and a catalyst for vibrant arts in Minnesota. Powered by hundreds of talented and dedicated staff members and volunteers, the Ordway is renowned for its multidisciplinary programming, welcoming atmosphere, and comfortable environment. The Ordway welcomes audiences of all ages and backgrounds for year- round eclectic and entertaining offerings, including Broadway musicals, concerts, dance, vocal artists, and new works. Performances take place in the 1,900-seat Music Theater and a 1,100-seat Concert Hall. The Ordway serves tens of thousands of students and families each year through its arts education and community impact programs, and is a proud member of the Arts Partnership, a collaboration comprising the Ordway, Minnesota Opera, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Schubert Club.  

Position Purpose: The Director of Individual Giving and Advancement Operations will manage and broaden individual philanthropic support at the $1,500 level and above (Leadership Circle) and oversees $1.2M in annual contributions from individuals.  The Director will be responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies, identifying major donor prospects, preparing solicitation and acknowledgement correspondence, and developing relationships with colleagues to stay informed of emerging organizational needs. 

Position Details:

• Posting Date: 6/9/25 - The Ordway is dedicated to building an equitable environment and strongly encourages applications from populations underrepresented in the theater field.
• Pay: $87,000 - $100,000 annually
• Employee Type: Fulltime, Salaried, Exempt
• Department: Advancement   
• Reports to: Vice President of Advancement 

Key Performance Areas:  

• Plan, implement, and manage a comprehensive Individual and Planned Giving Program.

- Initiate, develop, and maintain long-term donor relationships that lead to the fulfillment of specific, well-articulated contributed revenue objectives.

- Manage and maintain an active portfolio of existing individual donors and prospects, and oversee prospect research and creation of donor profiles, cultivate new donor relationships through personal visits, phone and letter contact with the goal of retaining and upgrading support.

- Lead Advancement communications efforts as they pertain to individual gifts by working with Advancement staff to produce written materials, including correspondence.

• Reinvigorate and promote the Ordway’s planned giving program, cultivating gifts through bequests, trusts, charitable gift annuities, and other planned giving vehicles.  Identify planned giving prospects and create a communications and recognition plan.
  • Actively support the work of the Board, President, and Vice President of Advancement in this area and assist them on special campaigns and projects as directed, including a future endowment campaign.
• Collaborate on, and participate in, the preparation and presentation of appropriate reports and analytics to cultivate and grow donor relationships. 
• Actively participate on committees and project teams that support the Ordway’s mission to result in enhancement of partnerships, increased revenues, reduction of risk, optimum customer service, and positive employee engagement in support of the Ordway’s mission.
• Lead, inspire, evaluate, coach, and develop employees to result in the motivation and recognition of high performance.

Other Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED and bachelor’s degree in Arts Administration, Fundraising, Public Relations or related field required.
• Five to seven years of fundraising experience required.
• Reliable transportation required.
• Familiarity and experience with donor tracking system preferred.
• Experience with planned giving vehicles and techniques preferred. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, OneNote, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher and Word).
• High degree of sensitivity for confidentiality.
• Ability to identify, evaluate, investigate and offer alternative solutions to problems.
• Ability to represent the Ordway in a professional manner.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and varying workload.
• Expert ability to inspire, convince, persuade, probe, negotiate, position and communicate information in a presentation/public setting.
• Ability to demonstrate behaviors that enhance the level of donor satisfaction and meet the donor expectation. Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the donor’s needs, offer solutions to questions and concerns, prioritize tasks, be proactive, demonstrate flexibility and a desire to satisfy the customer and progress the Ordway’s mission.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Ability to travel as needed.
 

To Apply: For more information or to apply, visit ordway.org/employment. Ordway is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, marital status, familial status, public assistance status, age, local human rights commission activity, national origin, and veteran, or disability status.  The Ordway Theater and administrative office are wheelchair accessible and service animals are welcomed. All applicants who have questions or would like to request a reasonable accommodation or interpreting assistance for job interviews are encouraged to reach out to Human Resources.