Job Details
• Salary Range: $50,000 – $60,000
• Location: Mechanics’ Hall, Portland, Maine
• Commitment: 32 hrs a week with flexibility for remote/virtual work and occasional weekends and evenings to support programming and events
• Benefits: Competitive benefits, including generous paid time off, parking, and an employer-paid health stipend
At Mechanics’ Hall, we are dedicated to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we value the well-being of our team members, who are often parents and caregivers. We prioritize ensuring our employees have time to enjoy their families, friends, and personal pursuits outside of work.
Position Summary:
Mechanics’ Hall, a key player in Portland’s downtown arts and culture scene, seeks a Development Manager to join our warm and supportive team. We are dedicated to being a vital cultural resource for the arts and humanities in Maine, hosting intimate concerts, dance and theater performances, literary events, and more. The Development Manager will play a crucial role in advancing this mission.
Why Join Us:
As a Development Manager at Mechanics’ Hall, you will be part of a collaborative, strategic, and forward-thinking environment that supports your professional growth. You will work closely with our Executive Director, trustees, and a dedicated team to drive organizational growth and sustainability. This is a unique opportunity to be at the heart of an exciting project, contributing to innovative programming and the preservation of a nationally significant historic building.
Key Responsibilities:
• Partner with the Executive Director and trustees to create and implement the annual fundraising plan for operations and capital needs, including a future capital campaign to restore and renovate the building’s interior.
• Develop a compelling case for support and a marketing and communications strategy that generates excitement for our mission and supports fundraising efforts.
• Manage fundraising initiatives, including membership, annual appeals, major gifts, and sponsorships. Establish timelines and develop graphics and collateral material for both online and printed communications.
• Collaborate with trustees, staff, and the development committee to optimize fundraising efforts.
• Identify, cultivate, and steward relationships with existing and potential donors and funders, engaging them with the mission of Mechanics’ Hall.
• Work closely with the Administrative and Development Associate to ensure proper acknowledgment, recording, and tracking of donations, and produce timely fundraising progress reports.
• Assist in producing one or two special events per year, with a focus on the Cabinet of Wonder, Mechanics’ Hall’s current Spring benefit. Manage sponsorship solicitation and donor cultivation, acknowledgment, and stewardship.
• Partner with the Executive Director, trustees, and development committee to identify, cultivate, and solicit foundation, government, and corporate grants for Mechanics’ Hall initiatives, programs, and projects. Manage grant reports and acknowledgments.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, trustees, contracted campaign counsel, and volunteers to develop strategies and timetables for a future capital campaign to preserve and renovate the building.
• Stay current in the professional field and pursue professional development opportunities related to non-profit development and advancement.
• Participate in maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for staff, program attendees, and library users.
Requirements and Skills:
• Excellent human relations skills
• Proven experience in fundraising
• Superb written and oral communication skills
• Strong computer skills, including experience with fundraising software
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Strong commitment to ethical responsibility and donor confidentiality
Application Instructions:
Interested candidates should submit a comprehensive PDF application package, titled LastNameFirstName_DevelopmentDirector (example: MartinSteve_DevelopmentDirector) and include:
• A one-page cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest in the Development Manager position.
• A current resume highlighting relevant experience and skills.
• A professional writing sample (maximum 1000 words) showcasing your communication ability.
• Contact information for three professional references.
Applications should be sent via email to admin@mainemechanics.org with “Development Manager ” in the subject line. (Please no walk-ins or phone calls) Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted for interviews. Thank you for your interest in joining the Mechanics’ Hall team!