Development Manager Position Available In Middlesex, Massachusetts

Merrimack Repertory Theatre 132 Warren St.
Lowell, MA 01852

Date Posted:

June 20, 2025

Region:

Eastern Massachusetts Category:

Development/Fundraising Type:

Full-Time

Development Manager Description:

Merrimack Repertory Theatre, a LORT D regional non-profit theatre located in Lowell, MA, is seeking a Development Manager. The Development Manager serves as a key member ofMRT’s Development team. Working closely with the Director of Development & Engagement (DDE), the Development Manager will provide support for MRT’s fundraising efforts including: individual, corporate, and foundation giving, grant writing, donormunication, and special events. The ideal candidate is a persuasive and ambitious fundraiser who understands the power of mission-driven work. All MRT employees are expected to embrace our mission statement and current strategic plan tenet of modeling Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at our core. MRT staff works in a manner consistent with these values by providing ongoing training, education, and action toward bing an anti-racist and more just institution.

PRIMARY DUTIES

IndividualDonor Engagement & Stewardship Work closely with theDoDE on Annual Fund strategy and implementation including drafting appeals, pulling & preparing mailing lists, working with ers, executing mailings ( and email), tracking giving, processing gifts, and coordinating volunteer outreach. Process gifts with focus on maintenance of date integrity, consistency of style, and duplication management. Acknowledge gifts within 24 hours of receipt via email. Write and mail signed acknowledgment cards to donors. craft new strategies to cultivate donors through events and other opportunities. Assist with special donor events including invitations, RSVPs, catering needs, and hosting. Provide top level customer service in response to donor queries. Coordinate additional stewardship efforts (Trustee thank you calls, videos from artists, staff leaders). Ensure proper recognition of individual donors by pulling/preparing/segmenting donor lists for use in MRT and digital materials including but not limited to Playbill, , and social media. Foundation& CorporateEngagement & Stewardship/Grant Writing Work with theDoDE, ExecutiveArtisticDirector, and others in researching, writing, and submitting grants proposals for foundations, corporate sponsors, and government funders. Support foundation and sponsor activities including managing foundation relations efforts, maintaining grant calendars, tracking solicitations and reports, submitting grant reports, ensuring receipt of grant monies, delivering sponsor materials, and maintaining materials for proposals. Assist with sponsor nights including invitations, RSVPs, catering needs, and hosting. Work closely with all departments to secure goods and services that off-set existing expenses and/or allow theanization to pursue its mission including but not limited to donor hospitality, services, actor hospitality, marketing merchandise Manage new in-kind gifts including prospect research, pitch meetings, contracts, management of benefits Annual Gala support, planning and execution Coordinate withDoDE and MarketingDepartment the creation, ing, and mailing (when applicable) of all design and ed materials (invitations, programs, signage, etc.) Assist in coordination of the Gala planningmittee meetings/agenda. manage planning of Gala – including software, sponsorships & recognition, auction, event space, RSVPs, and logistics. Solicit in-kind goods or services as needed. Day of event – help coordinate staff & volunteers with set-up, check-in, auction/bidding, guest services, and clean-up. Post event -assist in thank yous to guests, ensure payment of items, and other wrap-up Board of Trustees Assist in the coordination of Board of Trustee meetings in-person, hybrid, and remote. Including, but not limited to scheduling, catering, technical and logistical needs. Assist in the coordination of Boardmittee meetings in-person, hybrid, and remote. Including, but not limited to scheduling, catering, technical and logistical needs. Other duties as assigned this

Organization:

Merrimack Repertory Theatre, founded in 1979, is a professionalnon-profittheatrepany based in Lowell, Massachusetts. Weoperate as a member of the League of Resident Theatres, with collective bargaining agreements with Actors Equity Association, United Scenic Artists, and the Society of Stage Directors & Choreographers. MRT is a Constituent of Theatre Communications Group, the nationalanization for the non-profit American theatre. We produce a5-play season, with performances fromSeptember through May.

Qualifications:

Qualifications Wellanized with impeccable attention to detail Excellent verbal and writing skills Demonstratedanizational skills and capacity to deal with multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment Strong sense of ethical conduct, and demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality in all matters, including those relating to sensitive donor relations. Excellent interpersonal skills including working with the public and relationship building Strongputer skills, especially in Microsoft Excel Experience with a development/customer service database. AudienceView a plus Bachelor’s Degree in related field or equivalentbination of education and experience Working conditions Full time, year round;40 hours a week inoffice. Evening and weekend work will be required for performances, donor events, fundraising initiatives, and meetings. This is a salaried, non-exempt position with occasional overtime as authorized. Physical requirements (The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable amodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.) Requires someone to sit and stand for long periods of time Requires the ability to lift and carry heavy objects (usually between 20-50 pounds) on a periodic basis Direct reports Manages interns and volunteers as needed