Development Director

Southern Utah University; Cedar City (UT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Utah University is seeking a Director of Development for the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, UT. This key role involves leading fundraising strategies, managing donor relations, and overseeing grant writing efforts to ensure the growth and success of the festival. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree and at least five years of relevant experience in fundraising, along with strong leadership and communication skills.

The Director will collaborate closely with festival leadership and board members to generate support for the festival's mission and manage relationships with key stakeholders. A proven track record in fundraising and the ability to inspire support from various communities is essential.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience in fundraising and donor management.
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders and in a dynamic environment.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead fundraising activities and develop strategic plans.
• Manage donor cultivation and fundraising events.
• Supervise grant writing and administration.

Skills

Donor recruitment and retention

Fundraising strategy creation

Grant writing

Leadership and management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Salary: $85,000.00 - $110,000.00 Annually
Location: Cedar City, UT
Job Type: Full-time Staff
Job Number: 202600089
Division: President's Office
Closing: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt

Position Summary

Serve as one of the key administrative leaders for the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival located in beautiful Southern Utah. The Director of Development is responsible for leading all fundraising activities of the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Responsibilities include: donor recruitment and retention; research and solicitation: directing foundation, corporate, legislative, and individual giving; grant-writing; and overseeing the Festival's annual fund campaigns. The Director of Development reports to the Executive Managing Director and works closely with the Artistic Director and the Board of Governors. The Director of Development will supervise a team of an associate development director and undergraduate & graduate employee(s).

Date of first consideration: 07/15/2026.

Essential Functions

• Lead the development department and collaborate with USF senior leadership to create and execute an annual strategic development plan to support the growth of the mission and operations of USF. Work in cooperation with other departments to create effective and targeted development strategies to meet departmental objectives.
• Build a development cultivation program that consists of major gifts, annual fund, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, cultivation of individual donors, and stewardship programs that support the current and future needs of the Festival.
• Evaluate and rebuild membership models and loyalty programs that will support and enhance ongoing guest-based donations and support. Manage and oversee the formation and maintenance of development reports and records; prepare and manage the department's forecasts, financial reports and budgets; monitor budget and control expenditures. Follow all SUU policies related to purchasing.
• Supervise and manage the research and preparation of all foundation, corporate, and government grant proposals and oversee grant administration and reporting in collaboration with the SUU Advancement and Grants offices. Grant writing will be required.
• Work closely with staff, board members, and other volunteers to effectively manage donor events with measurable outcomes in the area of attracting and retaining donors. Work with the Festival's leadership to motivate and strengthen the Board in its role in development, and take an active role in serving and supporting the Executive Managing Director, Artistic Director, and Board in their fundraising efforts.
• Continue fundraising for the Fred C. Adams Endowment, including managing current pledges, prospecting new pledges, and taking the campaign to a public phase at an appropriate time.

Other fundraising efforts/programs/partnerships.

• Other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and five years experience in the cultivation and solicitation of individual, corporate, foundation, or government donors and a proven track record in the management of successful fundraising programs.
• Leadership and administrative abilities, with experience in managing and motivating staff and the ability to inspire those working with them toward accomplishing common objectives. Collaboration skills and the ability to work as an independent self-starter.
• Ability to plan and manage strategic objectives and set priorities, while also focusing on the details of the department. Possess time management, project management, and organizational skills to ensure effective campaigns, programs, and projects necessary to meet fundraising goals and increase USF's contributed and earned revenue.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills, good business sense, and computer literacy. Ability to personally connect with donors and potential donors, including board members, staff, artists, funders, and volunteers. Possess the openness to be effective in the unique fundraising communities that support USF. Donors and patrons come from Cedar City, Salt Lake City, and surrounding Utah areas, Las Vegas, and across the country.
• Strong work ethic, highest levels of integrity. Must take an active, public role in the cultivation and solicitation of donors, and serve as an ambassador for the Festival.
• Passion for theatre and the arts, understand and support the Festival's mission, and have the ability to articulate this mission and role to others.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with planned giving.
• Five years of fundraising experience, preferably with an arts organization.
• Project management experience.
• Flexibility to welcome and embrace change and the ability to balance the many challenges inherent in a dynamic theatre environment.
• Initiative, creativity, energy, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Supplemental Information

This position is contingent on funding.

Due to recent changes in H1B visa fees, Southern Utah University is no longer able to sponsor international faculty and staff that require an H1B visa and are currently living outside of the United States.

Southern Utah University does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services. For more information or contact information, please visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination/.

In accordance with Utah State Code 53A-3-410, appointment to this position is contingent upon the successful passing of a background check.