Director of Development And Communications

About Oakland Theater Project

Oakland Theater Project (OTP) creates exquisite theatrical experiences that inspire compassion and forge bonds across socio-political and racial barriers. Oakland Theater Project was founded in 2012 by Michael Moran, William Hodgson, and Colin Mandlin. Formerly named Ubuntu Theater Project, we were founded on the value of Ubuntu, which means “I am because we are” and therein “my humanity is tied to yours.” Our work seeks to explore the ways in which theater can act as a vehicle to reveal and invigorate the latent interconnectedness in humanity and society. Rooted in a value of radical inclusivity, we find new ways to bring disparate communities together and offer every professional production with pay-what-you-can pricing. We are the only year-round professional theater company in Oakland. OTP has produced over 75 unique productions and have inspired the SF Chronicle to call Oakland Theater Project “the Bay Area’s most daring theater” and “one of the most exciting young companies to emerge in the Bay Area in the past decade."

We have completed a 4-year growth plan and quadrupled in size since the pandemic to an annual budget of $1.3M. OTP’s next 3-year plan includes hiring additional staff, expanding educational programs, and continuing a capital campaign that is in advanced stages to purchase our own building and theater.

Role of Development & Communications Director

Reporting to the Managing Director, the Development & Communications Director is responsible for managing our fundraising and communications work. This role is both strategic and deeply hands-on: setting vision, creating systems, and personally executing aspects of giving and solicitations.

This position translates OTP’s artistic ambition into a compelling case for support and turns emerging relationships into long-term supporters. For development, they will lead the management of individual giving and work in close proximity with the Executive Artistic Director and Patron Services Manager to support all tiers of the organization’s donor engagement. Alongside our grant writer, this position will also manage relationships and funding from our foundation and corporate partners.

In their role as head of communications, they will be uniquely placed to guide the public understanding and reception of OTP’s brand and mission. By effectively managing a team of part-time communication contractors and developing OTP’s first complete brand guide, they will ensure a cohesive and exciting written, oral, and visual aesthetic.

The Development & Communications Director is a senior leader and contributor to the organization’s success. The right person for this position is skilled at change management, constructing projects and systems from the ground up, and managing ambiguity towards tangible outcomes and impact. The successful candidate will be hands-on, solution-oriented, and willing to do what it takes to problem solve: adopting “the show must go on” attitude. Humility, compassion, and willingness to learn collaboratively are a must.

Oakland Theater Project is past its start-up phase and this position has an excellent opportunity to develop strategy and play a pivotal role as the organization sets its sights on becoming a marquee theater for Oakland and a destination for the Bay Area. Given this moment of change and advancement at OTP, this position will grow and evolve with the organization. The successful candidate will be adaptable and take on increasingly advanced levels of responsibilities within the company.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Development (50%)

A.  Contributed Revenue

• Advance the strategy and implement the annual fundraising plan that includes individual giving, institutional giving, special events, corporate sponsorships, planned giving, and revenue diversification
• Leveraging OTP’s CRM system, develop and monitor progress towards fundraising goals
• Contribute to the development of organizational strategy with the Executive Artistic Director, Managing Director, and Board with a focus on fundraising, capacity building, and revenue diversification

B.   Individual Giving

• Manage a portfolio of major and mid-level donors, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
• Design and oversee annual giving programs, including appeals, memberships, and donor upgrades
• Partner with artistic leadership to create donor-facing experiences and engagement opportunities
• Lead strategy for fundraising events and benefit performances, ensuring strong ROI and donor experience
• Support special initiatives such as capital campaigns, endowment efforts, or destination theater trips as applicable

C.   Institutional Giving

• Manage the day-to-day operations of foundation fundraising processes including prospect research, proposal creation, and reporting
• Build strategic relationships with key foundation staff and stakeholders
• Manage a part-time Grant Writer, review all grant materials, and ensure proposals have the greatest chance at success
• Establish and grow a corporate revenue and sponsorship program from the ground up, including prospecting potential aligned corporate partners.

Communications (40%)

D.  Strategy & Leadership

• Develop cohesive marketing and communication strategies across platforms in partnership with Managing Director
• Leverage new technologies and create inventive approaches to marketing that will help OTP stand out in a crowded field.
• Develop evaluation process to make informed and ongoing iterative changes to campaigns and tactics, leveraging Google Analytics, Mailchimp, AudienceView, and other reports

E.   Communications & Marketing

• Oversee the design and execution of marketing and communications efforts, including our website, e-newsletter (7,000+ subscribers), social media platforms, and physical print assets
• Lead paid marketing strategy and ROI analysis to effectively direct advertising efforts with current media partners, social platforms, and identify new marketing channels
• Develop audience growth strategies in alignment with mainstage productions and partner with the Patron Services Manager to execute outreach initiatives
• Manage Communication Contractors to create compelling visual graphics, dynamic video content, and persuasive written materials adapted to each platform and campaign
• Manage the organization’s public-facing communications, including press outreach and media partnerships
• Coordinate with Production Manager, Stage Managers, and other creative team members to capture content at rehearsals, performances, and events

Organizational Leadership & Operations (10%)

F.   Operations

• In partnership with Patron Services and Operations Manager, oversee development operations, including CRM management, gift processing, acknowledgments, and donor records. Develop and maintain systems that support donor retention, stewardship, and growth
• Works to keep advertising expenses on budget and tracks spending and contractor costs in real-time to provide Managing Director with actionable information on variances and challenges
• Maintain up-to-date communication files and archives for the department and each show

G.  Leadership

• Attend and contribute at weekly OTP staff meetings to support a positive work culture for all staff
• Build strong relationships with external stakeholders to recruit and maintain ambassadors of OTP’s theatrical and community programs
• Help to represent OTP to donors and community stakeholders at events and meetings; attend fundraisers and other organizational events

Skills & Qualifications

• At least five (5) years’ experience in development and/or communication role. Performing arts or growth-stage experience preferred
• Strong desire to use theatrical experiences to achieve a social impact and passion for equity and diversity in the arts and education
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and storytelling skills
• Ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects that involve individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences
• Familiarity with Oakland or similar community. Strong relationships to local artists and institutions a plus

Compensation:

Salary: up to $80,000 (there is some flexibility for the right candidate)

Physical Requirements

• Sometimes required to lift up to 20 pounds
• Requirement to be present at some performances in evening and weekend hours

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• 401(k) (employee contribution only)
• Paid Time Off
• Hybrid/remote work
• Parental Leave
• Flexible Schedule

Additional Job Application Terms

This job is part of LinkedIn’s Full-Service Hiring beta program. Eligibility is limited to candidates located in and performing services in the United States, excluding those based in Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, South Carolina, or West Virginia.

We’re committed to making our hiring process as smooth and timely as possible, and we understand that waiting to hear back can add to the anticipation. If you’re a potential fit, our team will reach out within two weeks to progress you to the next stage. If you don’t hear from us in that time, we encourage you to explore other opportunities with our team in the future, and we wish you the very best in your job search.