THE CLARICE SMITH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS AT MARYLAND

This position is the top development job for a model center that combines performance and academic programs in a new building for the performing arts at the University of Maryland. Opened just four years ago, the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center fosters learning, exploration, and growth through sustained participation in the performing arts. It features six performance venues and is home to the students and faculty of the School of Music, Department of Theatre, and the Department of Dance, and Maryland Presents, a visiting artists program that serves the campus and local communities. Unique among its assets is the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library. These entities together are known as Performing Arts at Maryland (PAM). 

PAM has averaged about $1 million annually in gift support, thanks largely to a group of founding donors, and it is well positioned to increase its base of annual and major contributors. PAM will also benefit by being an important priority of the University’s new capital campaign. 

We believe some of the opportunities and Attractions of this position are:  

·         Build the development function for an innovative and ambitious center for the performing arts.  

·         The Senior Director of Development position is part of the senior leadership team of the Center. It is one of five directors who set the strategic direction for the Center and provide leadership for the Center staff and externally. 

·         Work at a high level with an executive director, who is a nationally known arts administrator, top university administrators, including provost and deans, department chairs and faculty, and the executive committee of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center.  

·         Promote the performing arts to audiences in Maryland and the greater Washington, D.C. arts community. Shape a performing arts and academic center, which is at the forefront in arts education and a model center for universities across the country. 

·         The Senior Director of Development for the Performing Arts at Maryland will take a leadership role in the University-wide capital campaign.

The Position 

Reports jointly to the Executive Director of the Clarice Smith Center and the Vice President for University Relations (chief development officer).  

Provides strategic direction for a comprehensive fundraising program for the Performing Arts at Maryland. Creates and implements a strategy and action plan for the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors. Coordinates the work of the Libraries and Arts and Humanities fundraising staff in activities related to the performing arts.  

Oversees a staff of five professionals and a program encompassing endowment development, annual giving (Spotlight Circle and Visionaries), planned giving, corporate sponsors, and major and principal gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.  

Manages a portfolio of 50 or more major prospective donors, and solicits gifts of $250,000 to $1 million and greater.  

Strengthens and manages a corps of volunteers who will support PAM and solicit gifts from others.  

Guides and works as a partner with the Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, the Dean of the Libraries, the Executive Director of the Clarice Smith Center, the Vice President for University Relations, academic department chairs, and other university leaders in advancing the Performing Arts at Maryland.  

Works with marketing, communications, and events staff to enhance the visibility of PAM.

Qualifications 

The Ideal Candidate Should Have: 

·         At least ten years of relevant experience, a record of successful fundraising, and a familiarity with and deep appreciation of the performing arts.  

·         Evidence of success in creating and executing significant development campaigns.  

·         Superb interpersonal skills and the ability to engage and motivate people and to solicit gifts from individuals and organizations. 

·         Excellent team building, speaking, and writing skills.  

·         Familiarity with performing arts management, arts marketing, and/or arts education preferred.

·         Appreciation for and familiarity with the role of a public research university.  

·         A Bachelor’s degree is required; Master’s degree is preferred. 

The Ideal Candidate should be:

·         Passionate about the performing arts with the ability to articulate their value and importance to prospective donors, volunteers, and the public.

·         An inspired manager and leader. 

·         A collaborative professional who will be a productive member of the team.

Critical Issues 

·         This is a new position with management responsibility for the development operations of PAM. 

·         Now that the building for the Clarice Smith Center is completed, the development effort must shift to building a base of major gift donors for annual support and endowment.  

·         The PAM fundraising team crosses academic departments and performing arts disciplines. The candidate must work for the good of the whole and mesh production values with the academic units.  

·         The Senior Director of Development will play a key role in the capital campaign, working with senior staff in the University.  

Additional Information 

The president, C. D. (Dan) Mote, comes from the leading public university, the University of California at Berkeley, and his broad experience and successful tenure at UC Berkeley is his greatest asset for leading the University of Maryland. In addition to his faculty and administrative positions, he led a comprehensive capital campaign that raised $1.4 billion. Now in his fifth year as president of the University of Maryland, Dr. Mote has set an ambitious agenda for academic achievement and facilities growth on the campus. 

College Park is the flagship campus in the University of Maryland System.  It is one of the nation’s premier public research universities.  Founded in 1856, the University is strategically located 9 miles from Washington, D.C. and 30 miles from Baltimore.  The University is one of only 62 institutions with membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities.  Thirty-one University programs are ranked in the top 10 nationally and 76 programs are ranked in the top 25. 

The University’s continued progress will depend significantly on increased philanthropic support. The University completed a $476 million fundraising campaign two years ago and has just launched the “silent phase” of a new campaign. The planning goal of this comprehensive, seven-year drive is $800 million.

For more information about the University of Maryland, visit http://www.umd.edu.     EOE/AA

Candidates and sources, please communicate with:
Bob Sellery or Katie Wilson, Robert Sellery Associates, Ltd.
1050 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., 10th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20036.
Email: wilson@sellery.com  or sellery@sellery.com
FAX 202.333.1167 or 202.772.3101
Telephone: 202.331.0090
All inquiries will be kept in strict confidence.

ROBERT SELLERY ASSOCIATES, LTD.
1050 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, N.W. , 10TH FLOOR     WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036     202.331.0090
sellery@sellery.com