Level of Effort: Full-Time (40 hours/week)
FLSA Status: Exempt
Background
Zeiders American Dream Theater is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded on the belief that creativity drives the growth of individuals and communities; and that the imagination, passion, and discipline of creation are universal requirements for all successful endeavors, artistic and otherwise. The Z’s mission is to introduce new works and emerging artists, present unique artistic experiences, and inspire creative growth in the Hampton Roads Community.
Our mission is accomplished through programming balanced between developing projects and artists, presenting regional, national, and international artists, and community-driven events. The Z operates as both a producing and presenting theater, on the principle that the best way to achieve our mission and goals is to work in partnership with artists and organizations throughout the community.
Founded in 2013, The Z began presenting regular programming in the fall of 2015 from a 70-seat temporary location in Virginia Beach’s Town Center. Construction quickly took shape on our permanent facility in Town Center and we opened in October of 2018 with a 3-day celebration of creativity, Proteus Festival. Our permanent home includes a 300 seat Main Stage theater and flexible Studio theater with support areas and houses an audio and video recording studio, indoor and outdoor event areas, and offices. This facility is host to all types of experiences from art exhibits, community forums, partnership productions, and our schedule of exciting performances.
Outfitted with the premium sound, lighting, and projection equipment, The Z provides an intimate, state of the art experience for audiences and performers.
The Z is quickly becoming an integral part of the community of Hampton Roads; a place of opportunity and entertainment, where artists and audience members are creatively inspired and encouraged to follow their dreams.
The Z is looking for a Development Director who shares our vision and embraces an opportunity to be a fundamental part of our growth.
Summary
The Development Director is the fundraising leader for The Z. They are responsible for planning, implementing, and managing a comprehensive development program and in promoting our mission throughout Hampton Roads. Working with the Chairman, Board of Directors, and executive leadership, the Development Director leads the effort to establish and increase The Z’s
reputation as a philanthropic destination with donors, corporations, foundations, and community leaders. The director is responsible for shaping and increasing fundraising programs including individual giving, corporate sponsorships, foundation and government grants, and in-kind trade partnerships to meet the budgeted annual contributed income goals. Additionally, fundraising special events and reserve fund campaign.
The Development Director will report to the Executive Director and will be responsible for:
• Designing, implementing, and managing all fundraising activities;
• Meeting budgeted contributed income goals and assisting in setting those goals annually;
• Expanding individual giving and managing all strategies and activities for individual donor cultivation, solicitation, and relations;
• Developing corporate sponsorships and researching and contacting new or potential corporate, foundation, government and individual donors;
• Collaborating with lead staff and grant writer on identifying and applying for grant opportunities,
• Serving as the primary staff member maintaining contact with granting organizations, foundations, corporations, and government grantors;
• Managing donor, gift record-keeping and grant reporting;
• Managing pledge reminder and acknowledgement programs;
• Establishing in-kind trade partnerships to support the needs of the theater;
• Planning and managing annual fundraising events;
• Recruiting members and serving as primary staff liaison for engagement and fundraising event committees;
• Writing and presenting development reports to the Board, granting organizations, and other agencies;
• Working with the Chairman and Executive Director to plan and implement upcoming naming opportunities campaign for the new facility;
• Seeking out and attending community opportunities to introduce The Z to potential funders and to cultivate donors and maintaining a comprehensive understanding of the mission and programming of The Z to ensure a cohesive company message; and
• Being available to assist in other duties and responsibilities, as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities
• Supervising development volunteers, interns, and independent contractors
• Managing staff and volunteers at fundraising events
Education and/or Experience Qualifications
• 3-5 years’ experience in not-for-profit development
• Experience cultivating and maintaining productive working relationships with board members, volunteers, donors, community members, and community organizations
• Knowledge of current fundraising, grant tracking, event and donor management software
• Demonstrated fundraising success with donors, corporations, and grantors
• Excellent verbal, written, organizational, and interpersonal skills
Compensation and Benefits
• Starting salary range $53,000-$58,000
• Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, flexible remote work options, and paid time off
Applicants should email a current resume and letter of interest to Terry Flint, Executive Director at Terry.Flint@theZ.org.
The Z is an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering and supporting an inclusive arts community and encourages candidates of diverse backgrounds to apply.
Position Description
Reports to: Patron Manager
FLSA Status: Part-Time, Flexible (Hourly, 0-32 hours/week), non-exempt. Schedule includes weekdays, evenings and weekends.
Summary
The House Manager has a unique opportunity to interact with our patrons and provide them with important information about Zeiders American Dream Theater. They are a point of contact for the patrons, so it is imperative to be energetic, knowledgeable, and personable. The House Manager is responsible for ensuring that current and new Zeiders American Dream Theater patrons have an enjoyable experience while attending events and performances at The Z. House Manager will contribute to our continued success by demonstrating unsurpassed guest service, a high level of integrity and ethical standards, and personal, and professional dedication to our Mission, Vision, and Values.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Familiar with The Z's website along with current and upcoming performances.
- Oversee that all opening and closing duties of the Front of House checklist are completed
- Management duties with staff and patrons
- Set up Front of House supplies & equipment
- Responsible for opening and closing of the building, arming and disarming security system
- Oversee Front of House Volunteers and Staff during events, performances, and rentals
- Conduct Pre-show meeting with Volunteers
- Complete pre and post checklist/report for Events and Rentals
- Responsible for balancing concessions cash drawers, collecting money and locking it into the safe
- Perform Front of House theater duties during shows and event
- Communicate with Tech staff on walkie to ensure the flow of shows runs smoothly
- Assist patrons with questions, accessibility needs and/or seating issues
- Clean, sweep, vacuum, mop, disinfect, etc. Front of House areas, bathrooms, Back of House areas, and theater.
- Oversee the flow and transitions of Front of House operations during shows-communicating with Tech staff & Box Office staff.
- Provide helpful information, including suggestions for events, performances, price options, group rates, parking options, directions, restaurants, access for patrons with disabilities, and any other service provided by the Z
- Work positively with other Box Office staff, Concession Staff, Tech Staff, and Artists and their team and communicate thoroughly with each other
- Familiar with Box Office and Concession policies and procedures
- Complete ABC training to be considered as an on-site ABC Manager for the facility
- Learn how to bartend to step in as bartender during high-volume situations
- Handle guest complaints, issues, problems in a professional manner.
- Have thorough knowledge of Theater evacuation procedures and be prepared to take charge of evacuation in the event of an emergency.
- Administrative work and duties
- Box Office admin work to assist Box Office staff
- Execute other duties as assigned by the management
Requirements and Qualifications
- Must be at least 21 years of age or older
- Interest and passion in not-for-profit, theater and/or entertainment industries
- Performing Arts Theater, live events and/or entertainment experience preferred
- FOH and BOH experience preferred
- Uphold and enforce company policies and procedures and implement new processes
- Flexibility in relation to duties and working hours which will include weekdays, evenings and weekends
- Must be people-oriented, personable, ability to provide knowledge of the theater
- Establish and maintain quality and customer service standards, while ensuring staff do the same
- Exceptional customer service and professional skills
- Must thrive in a fast-paced environment
- Management, customer relations skills and problem-solving experience preferred
- Exceptional time-management skills for job duties
- Box Office ticketing experience preferable
- Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time and ability to lift up to 15 lbs. or more
- Ability to motivate, delegate and supervise effectively and professionally and exercise initiative, take personal responsibility and resolve issues independently
- Experience with Point-of-Sale credit card processing and money handling
- Excellent verbal and interpersonal and good written communication skills
- Strong organizational and goal-oriented skills
- Strong commitment to and experience working with staff, volunteers, and patrons of diverse groups in terms of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.
- Computer literate in Microsoft Office, Word, and Excel, Google Drive, Gmail and other technology (iPads, scanners, etc.)
Perks
- Fun work environment
- Complimentary tickets to shows
- Great location to work with free and convenient parking
- Connected to local arts community
Applicants should email current resume and letter of interest to Donna Minson, Patron Manager at Donna.Minson@thez.org