Montclair Film-Director of Development

Montclair Film seeks to hire a Director of Development who will develop and execute successful fundraising strategies, manage a team of development professionals and grow the organization’s philanthropic and sponsorship portfolio. The position is full-time reporting to the Executive Director. This role would best fit a high energy, self-starting, organized and deadline-oriented professional with the ability to take initiative and collaborate with others. Frequent evening and weekend work will be required for success in this role.

Organizational Summary:

Montclair Film is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization presenting films and year-round programs that engage, entertain and educate through the power of visual storytelling. Montclair Film runs The Clairidge cinema, hosts an annual 10 day film festival and offers year-round education and community programs. We attract 100,000+ patrons annually to The Clairidge and annual Film Festival, while also reaching upward of 2,500 students from diverse backgrounds through our education programs. Montclair Film strives to be an accessible organization that provides diverse, entertaining and educational programs that reflect our community.

Job Summary:

This position will develop, execute, implement and monitor a comprehensive fundraising plan to expand philanthropic and sponsorship support for the organization through identifying and cultivating prospects, building relationships with individuals and corporations, soliciting and closing gifts. Additionally, this position is responsible for planning and executing fundraising and stewardship events.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Create and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan to maximize support for Montclair Film to maintain fiscal health and provide financial resources for future growth and expansion.
• Responsible for the solicitation, cultivation, and stewardship of individual and institutional donors, to include cash gifts and in-kind donations
• Responsible for raising $2M annually by cultivating a portfolio of 50+ major gift prospects.
• Responsible for growing Festival sponsorships to upward of $1M in the next three years.
• Develop, manage, and implement the menu of benefits for all sponsor and donor levels for the annual Film Festival, as well as year-round benefits
• Help nurture a culture of donor-centered philanthropy within the organization and in all development activities
• Work with our Grants Manager on grant writing, research, oversight, and reporting to support all areas of our organization
• Work closely with our Membership Manager to oversee the Membership program moving annual fund donors through the pipeline to become major gifts donors.
• Oversee daily development activities including, but not limited to, research, database maintenance, gift processing and donation management.
• Work with the marketing department to create fundraising/development materials and the annual festival catalog.
• Develop and foster strong relationships within the community to build collaborative partnerships that benefit each organization.
• Work with the Executive Director on strategy, case for support and fundraising for any future capital or comprehensive campaigns.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of 5 years in development preferably with an arts organization or equivalent.
• Demonstrated success developing and implementing strategic fundraising plans with goals achieved.
• Proficiency in prospect research and reporting,
• Excellent writing skills specifically with proposals, letters to prospects
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills needed to effectively portray Montclair Film’s mission, vision and programs to a wide audience
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, in the office and remotely.
• Proficiency in computer skills related to fundraising, communication and reporting, including but not limited to Salesforce, Powerpoint, and Excel.