The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival

Opportunities

Employment Opportunities

The following employment opportunities are currently open:

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Reports To:  Managing Director.

Basic Function:  The Director of Development will provide the leadership, strategic direction, management and coordination for all The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival fundraising efforts. The Director will create fundraising strategies that increase the organization's support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other sources. The Director of Development plays a key role in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major donors for annual gifts. The Director will work in close collaboration with the Artistic/Executive Director and Managing Director and other senior staff and key volunteer leadership to achieve the fundraising goals of the organization.

Responsibilities:

• Plan, administer, and implement all fundraising activities of The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival;

• Manage the development department in a fiscally sound manner by ensuring that the appropriate systems and procedures are in place to support fundraising goals;

• Manage annual campaign;

• Provide detailed reports about the fundraising progress to the Managing Director on a regular basis;

• Maintain a proactive, creative leadership role in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of individual, corporate and foundation contributions;

• Cultivate and directly solicit key donors, working with the Artistic/Executive Director and Managing Director and other key volunteers, as appropriate;

• Develop annual fundraising plan in collaboration with the Managing Director for presentation to the Board of Directors;

• Prepare and/or oversee all direct mail letters, case statements, grants, brochures, and sponsorship proposals required to support fundraising efforts;

• Coordinate donor patron receptions, events, and galas in collaboration with Director of Marketing, Managing Director and volunteers;

• Ensure that all donors are appropriately thanked and receive regular communication by making donor stewardship a priority throughout The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival;

• Develop and maintain close working relationships with the philanthropic community, individual and corporate donors, sponsors, board members and volunteers;

• Serve as a visible spokesperson and advocate for The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival�s mission and programs in the funding community; and

• Serve as a member of The Festival�s senior management team.

Ideal Experience:  The ideal candidate will have the following experience and qualifications:

• At least five to seven years of proven experience managing a complex fundraising program in a sophisticated organization with a reputation for quality and excellence;

• Demonstrated experience in managing people and budgets; ability to work in an hands-on environment with limited resources; computer literacy and knowledge of current Development technology highly desirable.

• Ability to effectively gain the respect and support of various constituencies, including board and staff members, donors and foundation and civic leaders;

• A successful track record of personally identifying, cultivating and soliciting individual donors, corporations and foundations;

• A record of measurable results in organizing and implementing such activities as: major gifts, annual gifts, grant writing, corporate and foundation giving, direct mail and special events;

• A track record as an effective communicator; and

• Bachelor's degree preferred.

Personal Qualities:  The Director of Development will be:

• Committed to be enthusiastic about The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival�s mission and programs;

• Highly entrepreneurial, resourceful and flexible;

• A goal-oriented strategist who is adept at planning, prioritizing, multi-tasking, organizing and following through while remaining highly energetic and focused;

• A team builder with strong skills in management and leadership;

• A catalyst with vision who can create excitement and energy around The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival�s programs and encourage others to support the organization -- persuasive, persistent, and determined in the pursuit of the organization's fundraising goals;

• Straightforward, solution-focused, self-motivated, and diplomatic -- sharing information readily, listening as well as giving advice and respecting the abilities of others;

• Energetic and willing to work hands-on in developing and executing a variety of fundraising activities; and

• Emotionally mature with a sense of humor to maintain balance.

Compensation:  Negotiable and commensurate with experience.

Internships

For more information on internships, please click here.

Volunteer Opportunities
The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival is always looking for a few good volunteers! We are currently seeking volunteers in the following areas:

• Ushers
• Fundraisers
• Special events staff
• Computer support
• Clerical/office support
• Sponsorship opportunities

Auditions

The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival holds EPA open auditions annually.  All other auditions are by invitation only. For consideration, please forward you headshot and resume to:

Attn: Casting
The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival
2111 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

OPEN AUDITIONS HAVE PASSED FOR THE 2008 SEASON.

General open auditions are held every summer to fulfill Actors' Equity Association audition requirements.  Actor�s Equity Association Members who would like to schedule an audition must call for an appointment at 215-496-9722. Please note that actors are cast mainly from the Philadelphia area and have local housing. Please prepare two contrasting Shakespearean monologues. Local non-union actors will be seen, by appointment, time permitting. Non-union actors must send headshot and resume to receive an appointment c/o Casting, The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival, 2111 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

From time to time, there are a limited number of Acting Internships available in Main Stage productions. Interns will be eligible to earn Equity points for these non-paying roles and will benefit from the experience of working with other professionals. Additionally, interns will be invited to join the master classes, which will be held during the run of the production. To be considered for an Acting Internship, please forward your headshot and resume to: Internships, The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival, 2111 Sansom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation theatre company operating on an LOA contract with the Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival is a member of The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, Theatre Communications Group, the Shakespeare Theatres of America Association, and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

Copyright 2007 The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival

The Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival - 2111 Sansom Street - Philadelphia, PA  19103