Development Events and Stewardship Associate

Arts Hacker; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 58,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, and Vision insurance

Generous Paid Time Off

Discounted tickets to Guthrie productions

Job summary

Arts Hacker is looking for a Development Events and Stewardship Associate in Minneapolis. This full-time position involves planning and executing donor events, ensuring a polished guest experience, and managing event-related communications. The ideal candidate will have experience in event planning and donor relations, strong attention to detail, and excellent interpersonal skills. This role offers a hybrid work model and comprehensive benefits package.

The Guthrie Theater values diversity and encourages applicants from underrepresented groups to apply.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in event planning, donor relations, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience supporting high‑touch events and donor experiences.
• Comfortable with phone and email donor communications.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of Development events.
• Coordinate stewardship activities and donor engagement.
• Maintain accurate event records in CRM systems.

Skills

Event planning

Donor relations

Strong communication skills

Attention to detail

Hospitality experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Tessitura

Job description

Reports to: Development Events Manager

Compensation: $58,000-$63,000, depending on qualifications

Benefits: Benefits Eligible

Position Summary

The Development Events and Stewardship Associate plans, coordinates and executes Development events and donor stewardship activities that deepen donor engagement with the Guthrie Theater. This role leads Opening Night dinners and related donor hospitality, supports cultivation and stewardship events throughout the season, and helps ensure donors receive thoughtful, accurate and welcoming communication before, during and after Guthrie events.

This position also supports event RSVPs, donor seat notes, guest list management, event records, post‑event follow‑up, donor trips, the annual Gala, campaign‑related events and other Development activities. Working closely with the Development Events Manager and cross‑functional partners, this role helps ensure events and stewardship experiences are well‑organized, donor‑centered and aligned with Guthrie priorities. All employees are expected to center, model and champion the Guthrie’s core values of Artistic Excellence; Community; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility; and Fiscal Responsibility.

This position is full‑time, exempt and benefits eligible. The typical schedule for this role will vary based on the dynamic schedule of a theater and will require evening and weekend availability, especially around Development events and activities. This position is eligible for hybrid work.

The Guthrie is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building an equitable environment that finds strength in diversity of identity, experience and perspective. We are dedicated to hiring and developing talented teams that are inclusive and welcoming to individuals with different backgrounds, thoughts, and abilities. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the theater field are strongly encouraged to apply.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

1. Development Event Planning and Execution (50%)

• Lead planning and execution of Opening Night dinners and related donor hospitality, including timelines, guest lists, invitations, seating, menus, staffing plans, run‑of‑show documents, vendor coordination and day‑of execution.
• Plan and execute selected donor cultivation and stewardship events in partnership with the Development Events Manager, Annual Giving staff and Development leadership.
• Support the annual Gala, campaign‑related events, major donor gatherings, donor trips and other Development events as assigned, with a focus on guest experience, logistics, materials, records and day‑of support.
• Manage event check‑in, attendance tracking, seating updates, guest questions and onsite details to ensure a polished and welcoming donor experience.
• Coordinate event‑related communications, including invitations, reminders, confirmations, briefing materials and follow‑up communications that are accurate, timely and aligned with Guthrie standards.
• Maintain continuity of the Guthrie brand and donor experience across Development events and assist with post‑event evaluation and improvements.

2. Stewardship and Donor Engagement (30%)

• Help develop and implement meaningful donor stewardship touchpoints connected to Guthrie productions, donor events, giving milestones and Development priorities.
• Coordinate personalized donor seat notes, event follow‑up, gratitude outreach and other relationship‑centered communications in partnership with Annual Giving staff.
• Support donor benefit fulfillment and donor experience workflows, ensuring donors receive accurate information, timely responses and thoughtful service.
• Monitor and respond to the Development events RSVP inbox and event‑related phone inquiries in a timely, professional and welcoming manner.
• Partner with gift officers and Development colleagues to identify donor preferences, special guest considerations and follow‑up opportunities before and after events.
• Track stewardship activity and relevant donor interactions in Tessitura or other systems as appropriate.

3. Department Support and Administration (20%)

• Maintain accurate event and donor records in Tessitura, including RSVPs, attendance, seating, dietary restrictions, donor notes and related event information.
• Coordinate with Box Office, Front of House, External Events, Catering, Finance, Marketing, ITS and other internal partners to resolve event and donor questions.
• Support expense tracking, invoice processing, budget documentation and Development event calendars in collaboration with the Development Events Manager and Development Operations.
• Prepare and maintain event materials, briefing documents, name tags, seating charts, guest lists, templates, timelines and organized event files.
• Participate in Development team and event planning meetings, and serve as a professional liaison to donors, volunteers, vendors and internal partners.
• Provide flexible support during peak workload periods, staff transitions and evolving department priorities, and support additional Development projects as assigned.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• 2 or more years of experience in event planning, donor relations, hospitality, nonprofit development, arts administration or a related field required.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or executing high‑touch events, donor/member experiences, hospitality functions or comparable guest‑facing activities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to proofread and edit clear, accurate and donor‑facing communications.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy, particularly with guest lists, seating, donor records, event details and written materials.
• Can manage multiple projects with overlapping timelines and respond effectively to time‑sensitive needs.
• Comfort with phone‑based and email‑based donor communication, and strong interpersonal skills with donors, volunteers, trustees, vendors, artists and colleagues.
• Can maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment and remain poised, flexible and solution‑oriented in a fast‑paced event environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, specifically Word, Excel and Outlook. Experience with CRM systems required; Tessitura experience preferred.
• Experience with event scheduling, project management or ticketing systems preferred.
• Interest in the performing arts, especially theater, preferred.
• Can stand and walk for extended periods of time, can stand in the same location for extended periods of time; and can lift/move/carry event materials up to 15 lbs. as needed.
• Must be willing to work evenings and weekends, especially around Development events and activities.
• Experience with and commitment to working with individuals and teams that exemplify diversity of identity, experience and perspective, including but not limited to race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, family and/or marital status, creed, religion, ancestry, disability, national origin, sexual orientation or sexual identity, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, body size/type, status with regard to public assistance or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law.

Benefits

• Competitive Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Employer contributions to HSA, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Dependent Care FSA, Group Life Insurance, Voluntary Life Insurance, Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, 403(b) Retirement Plan (with employer match up to 4.5% after one year of service).
• Transportation: Subsidized passes for Metro Transit buses and trains, discounted pre‑tax monthly ramp parking.
• Paid Time Off: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), Volunteer Time Off (VTO).
• Complimentary Tickets: To Guthrie productions.
• Discounted Tickets: To all shows produced by the Guthrie and to some performances hosted by the Guthrie.
• Classes and Camps: Discounts to Guthrie classes and camps.
• Other Perks and Resources: Guthrie Store discount; Employee Affinity Group.