Description
Development Director (Shared Services – MYArts/MYC/CTM)
Position Description
Date: Anticipated Start Date 10/1/2026
Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Department: Development / Shared Services
Reports To: MYArts Executive Director
FLSA Status: Exempt
Employment Classification: Full-Time,Benefits Eligible
Supervisory Responsibility: Provides guidance to MYArts administrative coordinators; partners with CTM and MYC leadership and team on development strategy
Compensation: Competitive, commensurate with experience
Working Hours: Mon – Fri; flexibility required for events and donor engagement
Benefits: Health, Medical, Dental Coverage; Generous Paid Vacation and Time off package; Retirement benefits
1. Position Summary
The Development Director is responsible for leading and owning the development strategy and execution for MYArts, while providing strategic development guidance and planning for partner organizations -Children’s Theater of Madison (CTM) and Madison Youth Choirs (MYC).
As a shared position, with MYArts serving as employer of record, the Development Director sets major gift and campaign strategy and builds the donor pipeline for all three organizations, working in partnership with CTM and MYC staff, who lead day-to-day execution for their respective organizations’ strategy.
The primary focus is major donor development, prospect identification and research, and data-informed fundraising analytics that drive contributed-revenue strategy across MYArts, CTM and MYC.
The Development Director serves as a highly visible representative of MYArts in the community, cultivating relationships with donors, foundations, sponsors, and stakeholders to ensure sustainable contributed revenue and organizational growth through execution of the development strategic plan of MYarts.
2. Essential Functions (with Focus Allocations)
2.1 Strategic Development Leadership – 40%
Develop and implement multi-year development strategies and annual fundraising plans for MYArts, CTM, and MYC.
Establish giving campaigns, donor engagement plans, sponsorship strategies, and stewardship frameworks.
Collaborate with the MYArts Executive Director and steering team to align fundraising strategies with organizational priorities.
Provide guidance and oversight to CTM and MYC on campaign execution while ensuring alignment with MYArts’ strategic goals.
2.2 Fundraising Campaigns and Donor Engagement – 30%
Manage MYArts’ donor portfolio, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual, corporate, and foundation supporters.
Oversee grant writing, proposals, and reporting; provide strategy and editorial support for CTM and MYC as needed.
Plan and execute donor recognition, stewardship events, and special fundraising initiatives for MYArts.
Track, analyze, and report fundraising metrics to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
2.3 Cross-Organizational Collaboration – 15%
Serve as primary liaison for development coordination between MYArts, CTM, and MYC.
Align development initiatives across organizations to ensure efficiency and maximize fundraising potential.
Support partner organizations in building internal development capacity while leveraging MYArts’ shared resources.
2.4 Community Relations and Public Representation – 10%
Represent MYArts in regional, community, and donor-facing events.
Cultivate relationships with potential funders, sponsors, foundations, and government agencies.
Act as a thought leader in youth arts philanthropy and advocate for MYArts’ CTM and MYC mission and vision.
2.5 Administrative Support and Oversight – 5%
Oversee development-related administrative functions, including donor database management, reporting, and gift processing.
Provide guidance to MYArts administrative coordinators in campaign execution and donor communications.
Ensure compliance with ethical fundraising practices, gift tracking, and reporting requirements.
Provides guidance to execution of development strategies for CTM and MYC.
3. Qualifications
Required:
Minimum 5 years of development/fundraising experience, including data analysis for strategic planning and campaign execution.
Proven success cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donor, individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
Experience managing complex projects across multiple organizations or departments.
Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on execution.
Preferred:
Experience in nonprofit arts, youth-serving organizations, or education sectors.
Experience leading development in shared-service or multi-organization environments.
Familiarity with grant writing, sponsorships, and donor management systems.
Knowledge of Madison-area arts, education, and community networks.
Bachelor’s degree or higher in nonprofit management, arts administration, business, or related field.
4. Supervisory and Decision Authority
Provides strategic guidance and oversight to MYArts administrative staff executing development initiatives.
Partners with CTM and MYC leadership to advise and support on development planning and execution.
Leads development planning, strategy implementation, and donor engagement initiatives for MYArts.
Collaborates with the Executive Director, steering team and Board of Directors on fundraising strategy, reporting, and major donor engagement.
5. Work Environment and Schedule
Work setting: Primarily on-site at the MYArts facility, with flexibility for remote work as needed.
Schedule: Monday – Friday with flexibility for evening or weekend donor events, community engagement, or partner support.
6. Compliance and Safety Responsibilities
Adhere to MYArts policies, procedures, and ethical standards.
Ensure safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments for youth and all participants.
Maintain compliance with organizational, legal, and ethical requirements.
Report safety concerns, incidents, or facility issues as needed.
7. Physical Requirements
Typical office and event work; may require travel to donor meetings, events, and partner sites.
8. Application instructions
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume outlining their qualifications and relevant fundraising experience. Applicants are also encouraged to include supplemental materials that demonstrate their accomplishments, such as writing samples, examples of successful fundraising campaigns, grant proposals, donor stewardship materials, or other relevant work products. All application materials must be submitted electronically to hr@madisonyoutharts.org no later than 12:00 p.m. (Noon) on Monday, August 31, 2026. Applications received after the deadline may not be considered. Selected candidates will be contacted to participate in the interview process according to the recruitment timeline outlined above.
9. Disclaimer
This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not exhaustive. MYArts reserves the right to modify duties, schedules, and responsibilities as organizational needs evolve. Employment with MYArts is at-will and may be terminated by either party.
Requirements
Required:
Minimum 5 years of development/fundraising experience, including data analysis for strategic planning and campaign execution.
Proven success cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donor, individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
Experience managing complex projects across multiple organizations or departments.
Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on execution.
Preferred:
Experience in nonprofit arts, youth-serving organizations, or education sectors.
Experience leading development in shared-service or multi-organization environments.
Familiarity with grant writing, sponsorships, and donor management systems.
Knowledge of Madison-area arts, education, and community networks.
Bachelor’s degree or higher in nonprofit management, arts administration, business, or related field.
