Development Associate - American Repertory Ballet and Princeton Ballet School

Organization Overview

The Princeton Ballet Society’s mission is to nurture a lifelong love of dance and lift the collective spirit through excellent, relevant, and accessible artistic and educational programs, with a focus on classical ballet. This mission is fulfilled through three distinct but unified parts of the organization: American Repertory Ballet (ARB), the preeminent ballet company in NJ; Princeton Ballet School (PBS), one of the largest non-profit dance schools in the nation; and ARB's Access & Enrichment initiatives, programs designed to enrich students and the local community to the art form of dance, as active participants and informed observers, and to develop life-long dance enthusiasts. 

Position Overview

The Development Associate provides critical administrative support for the fundraising efforts of the organization. The best candidate for this position is passionate about arts and arts education, and can focus on details while thinking broadly to help create exemplary events and fundraising campaigns. Responsibilities include:

Donor Support

• Help maintain current and detailed donor records and pull reports as needed
• Produce, track, and send timely donor acknowledgement letters
• Assist with pledge tracking and donor stewardship
• Provide support with social media, direct mail, and e-blast appeals
• Conduct prospect research for foundations, corporations, and individual giving

Special Events

• Manage event planning for a variety of functions, including an annual gala, donor recognition and cultivation events
• Meet strict deadlines and stay within budget
• Nurture and build relationships with vendors, venues, and other industry contacts 
• Stay current with trends in event planning, design, and production, and proactively identify and solve operational challenges
• Locate resources, visit sites, and lead pre-event meetings to help staff make decisions about event design
• Coordinate with internal staff, volunteers, and vendors to ensure event excellence 
• Secure licenses and permits as needed, and respond to participant concerns and special needs
• Oversee The Nutcracker boutique by working with volunteers to take inventory of merchandise, track sales, and coordinate on-site participation

Administrative Support

• Help generate and clean mailing and emailing lists for internal and external communications 
• Take meeting minutes for Board and committees as required
• Receive mail, make copies of checks and letters as needed, scan and send to appropriate staff
• Make deposits timely, sign and send checks as instructed by Executive or Finance Directors

This position is non-exempt. Full-time work to be completed primarily in the Princeton office, with some opportunity for remote work when possible. There may be travel associated with this position. Some evening and weekend hours may be required. 

Requirements

Required skills and qualifications

• Experience with event planning or coordination
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to build and maintain positive business relationships
• Excellent organizational skills, including multitasking, time management, and attention to detail
• Ability to be adaptable and work well with others in a collaborative environment

Preferred skills and qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree 
• Experience in Blackbaud Raiser's Edge Database Software
• Successful strategies for volunteer recruitment, engagement, and management

Benefits

Annual salary range $45,000 - $50,000 commensurate with experience, in addition to paid time off, health and dental benefits, a 4013b retirement plan, and free Open Enrollment classes at Princeton Ballet School. 

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to hr@arballet.org.