Job Description
Ars Nova seeks a highly-organized, detail-oriented Development Assistant to provide administrative support to our fundraising team. Ars Nova’s Development Assistant is responsible for ensuring timely and accurate gift entry and donor communications, and overseeing special projects to keep the money rolling in to support our community of artists.
Ars Nova exists to discover, develop and launch singular theater, comedy and music artists in the early stages of their careers. We were founded as a playground and launchpad for emerging artists to create new work, with a dual mission to build the next generation of audiences for live entertainment by prioritizing a zeitgeist-forward aesthetic and marrying it with accessible ticket prices.
The Development Assistant joins our four-person fundraising team, who are responsible for leading the organization in raising $3M+ annually through grants, special events, and individual donors.
Ars Nova recognizes both that it is a predominantly white institution and that our institutional practices have led to the exclusion of Black, Indigenous and People of Color from our team. We are actively working to become a more diverse, anti-racist, inclusive organization; please see our commitments and progress towards these objectives at arsnovanyc.com/accountability. We hope BIPOC candidates will accept our invitation to apply.
KEY PURPOSE OF POSITION:
Reporting to the Individual Giving & Special Events Manager, and working closely alongside the Institutional Giving Manager and the Associate Executive Director, the Development Assistant is our administrative whiz, with an eye for detail and a knack for project organization to ensure that Ars Nova is on track to continually be identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding supporters.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND COMPETENCIES:
The responsibilities, competencies and expectations outlined below are representative, not exhaustive. Responsibilities may shift as needed to best align with organizational needs.
Supporting Ars Nova’s special events fundraising by serving as the right-hand to the Individual Giving & Special Events Manager for our annual blowout benefit Nova Ball, including:
*Tracking all RSVPS, ticket purchases, and email communications, and making updates to the seating charts, budgets, and check-in lists in real-time.
*Working with the Marketing Team to coordinate the creation of marketing materials for the event, including programs, placecards, and signage.
*Oversee all check-in procedures the day of the event.
Supporting individual giving fundraising from our community of donors giving $5 to $50,000 annually, including:
*Supporting benefit fulfillment for our Super Novas who give $500 or more each year, including booking tickets and managing inventory of Ars Nova swag.
*Managing prospecting and research portfolios for current and potential supporters.
*Assisting in the planning and execution of cultivation events at our Off-Broadway Productions.
Supporting in the grant writing process for foundation and government funding, including:
*Prepping first drafts of grant proposals and cover letters for general operating support.
*Serving as the final proofreader on each grant before it goes out the door.
Coordinate all in-kind donations, including Ars Nova’s beer and pizza sponsors.
Lead the entering, coding, and acknowledgment of all gifts to Ars Nova, coordinating with the entire Development Team and Business Team for smooth processing and prompt gratitude.
ABOUT YOU:
*You have some prior training and/or professional, academic or volunteer experience with one or more of the following: fundraising, writing and editing, event planning, project management, or executive assistance.
*You are invested in Ars Nova’s mission and core values, and have a passion for live entertainment and/or theater-making, for artists of all stripes;
*You are an adept team player, time manager and project organizer, who can balance a variety of projects and goals while keeping an eye on the big picture;
*You have an eye for details and precision;
*You share our commitment to anti-racism and creating and maintaining an inclusive environment, are excited about joining our efforts to make Ars Nova a more just and equitable place to work and make work, and have the ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds;
BONUS IF:
*You have a positive attitude, and enjoy collaboration;
*You have a desire to improve systems and make things work better;
*You enjoy collaboration and thrive in all-out, go-big-or-go-home environments;
*You are relentlessly curious, and love to dig into the context and big picture of what you’re working on.
HIRING PROCESS
Every application received by November 14th will be reviewed by the Individual Giving & Special Events Manager and the Institutional Giving Manager and scored on a numeric rubric based only on the 5 “Must Have” qualities listed in the job posting above (under “About You”). The top 6-8 candidates from that process will be invited to a first round interview on Zoom in late November. Finalists will be asked to submit two references, complete a brief homework assignment and will participate in a series of in-person final interviews with several staff members in mid-December. We’ll then check references and an offer is expected to be made no later than Dec. 17.
This is a non-exempt, part-time hourly position with a starting hourly pay rate of $18, a typical schedule averaging 24 hours per week, and paid sick and family leave. Start date will be on or around January 3, 2022. The position is hybrid in-office and remote, with some days required in the office each week.
As of September 5, 2021, Ars Nova requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Religious and medical exemptions to vaccination will be provided in accordance with New York State public health laws.