DIRECTOR OF GIVING

Description

City Theatre Company, Pittsburgh’s leading professional contemporary theatre, seeks to hire a DIRECTOR OF GIVING. This full-time, exempt staff position will lead fundraising for the organization and will work closely with leadership to strategically manage and increase support to the organization’s annual fund and special campaigns. This is a critical revenue-generating position with the stated goal of increasing City Theatre’s ability to expand its contributed income from events, corporations, foundations, government sources, and individuals. Securing major gifts will be the position’s priority focus, as well as coordinating an expected major capital campaign. The Director of Giving will be a senior level employee of the organization. City Theatre’s annual operating budget is $3.4M, of which approximately $2M is raised annually through contributed sources. After 18 months of consideration about a potential regional merger with two other professional theatres, the organization’s board voted in January 2026 to remain independent. Subsequently, City Theatre completed its most successful season in nearly 20 years and finds itself in its strongest position since the pandemic. Board and leadership are currently in a strategic planning process; central to its future success will be further revenue diversification and expansion. The ambition and vision for the future are bold; the Director of Giving will play a linchpin role in their realization.  

Requirements

 Principal responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to:

• Implementing, in partnership with executive leadership, development staff, and outside consultants, all aspects of fundraising for the organization’s annual fund (individuals, board, events, institutional), including setting annual revenue goals, board commitment strategies, departmental budgeting, and development committee activation.  
• Supervising one full-time manager position with the opportunity to strategically expand department staffing. This position will work closely with City Theatre’s experienced Annual Fund Manager and Strategic Revenue Consultant, ensuring efficient and impactful departmental function while collaborating on donor relations, data-driven strategies, and portfolio management.
• Serving as de facto major gifts officer for the organization, prioritizing cultivation, attainment, and stewardship of $1,000 and up donors. This position will focus outwardly, meeting with donors and other key philanthropy stakeholders. It is expected that at least 60% of time will be deployed on gift and donor attainment and stewardship, and portfolio management.
• Working closely with the Managing Director on advocating to critical external stakeholders, such as elected officials and foundation leaders, to advance philanthropic goals for the organization.
• Partnering with outside consultants in strategic revenue and government relations to develop long-term systems and strategies that will grow the annual fund and launch an expected major fundraising campaign. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• At least five (5) years of dedicated and successful fundraising leadership with special focus on individual giving (inclusive of major gift solicitation, with notable significant results) and strategy in the development of major campaigns. Familiarity and experience with donor research, capital campaigns, portfolio development/management, and wealth screening are important and will be impactful on the hiring process.
• Experience supervising and collaborating with staff; prior department-head role not required.
• Confidence in “making the ask” and in developing meaningful connections with donors and funders. Must be proactive and outgoing in stakeholder interactions.
• Responsiveness, reliability, and thoroughness.
• Diplomacy, discretion, and a commitment to confidentiality as this position will work closely in stewarding donors and funders, and will be privy to personal information and organizational strategies.
• Ability to collaborate, and build rapport, with team members and stakeholders from a wide variety of backgrounds, work-styles, and professional experiences.
• Strong writing and communication skills. Be comfortable with public speaking (curtain speeches, donor events) opportunities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and Office 365 – including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and SharePoint – and competence with web-based software, including project management technology. Experience with donor and/or customer relationship management platforms (City Theatre utilizes Tessitura as its CRM; all development staff will need to learn and become proficient in this software.)
• Ability to initiate, self-start, multi-task, problem-solve, and meet deadlines with strong attention to detail.
• A commitment to collaboration and the organization’s values, which include a dedicated focus on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility; engaging in professional training and self-reflection related to the organization’s anti-racism commitments.
• An enthusiasm for the arts and artists.
• Humor and humility are useful tools for any professional fundraiser, as is a willingness and ease in meeting and conversing with new individuals from diverse backgrounds in a confident, professional manner.  

Requirements of position: 

• Position requires frequent operation of computers and other office equipment in a stationary position, frequent movement during events and performances, and occasional evenings and weekends, reflective of the dynamic schedule of the theater.
• Interacting directly with individuals on campus, over meals, and in personal residences as necessary to secure major gifts of support to the organization. Must be comfortable speaking on the phone and publicly, writing correspondence, and engaging with donors and arts-lovers in a genuine, personal manner.
• Though some work-from-home opportunities may arise, the primary duties require in-person presence, and the successful candidate must be local to the Pittsburgh region upon commencement of full-time responsibilities.  

What does success look like?

In three to five years, this position will have helped City Theatre become the most impactful professional theatre in the region; and contributed revenue will have expanded across all core revenue sources, allowing for strategic growth and vitality. In partnership with executive leadership, the Director of Giving will be instrumental to the organization securing its first-ever one-million-dollar individual gift.

For the individual in the role, this position will provide critical leadership opportunities for someone interested in furthering their professional fundraising experience through building staff supervision skills, securing impactful gifts, and have close contact with executive leadership of the organization. This senior staff position will be a trusted colleague to staff and board leadership and provide opportunities in skill-development that can lead to development director positions at larger institutions or an Executive Director position, either at City Theatre or at a larger institution.

Reporting & Compensation:

The position reports directly to the Managing Director (James McNeel). It is a full-time, exempt position and has an annual salary range of $75,000-$85,000, plus a competitive benefits package, including 100% employer-covered health and life insurance, optional vision, dental, FSA, and 401(k) plans, and generous paid leave; some work-from-home flexibility is available.

To Apply:

Submit cover letter and résumé through the City Theatre hiring portal available under “Auditions & Employment” on the organization’s website; or, alternatively, send materials via email to [email protected]. For more information about City Theatre, visit CityTheatreCompany.org. No phone calls. Cover letter should be addressed to Managing Director James McNeel.

Please use your cover letter to tell us about what you hope to bring to this role, and how your background and experience respond to the desired skills and qualities. 

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet, women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend only to apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.

We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. So, whether you're returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.

ABOUT CITY THEATRE:

City Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to building a culturally diverse and equitable environment and we strongly encourage applications from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) candidates. In building an equitable work environment, the organization values diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skill sets. City Theatre does not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. City Theatre is committed to building a team that reflects its values and encourages all interested candidates to apply.

Founded in 1975, City Theatre is in its 52nd season as Pittsburgh’s home for bold new plays. Located in the historic South Side (celebrating 35 years in the neighborhood) on its four-building cultural campus, the company produces a season of regional and world premieres; its renowned Young Playwrights Festival, now in its 27th year; a season-long reading series of new works in progress; and the annual Momentum Festival. City Theatre’s mission is to provide an artistic home for the development and production of contemporary plays that engage and challenge a diverse audience. Its vision is to be the best mid-sized theater in America. Organizational core values are: Community; Collaboration; Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility; and Creativity. With an annual average operating budget of over $3.4M, City Theatre is the largest performing arts organization not located in Pittsburgh’s downtown Cultural District and is a constituent and core member of the League of Resident Theaters (LORT), Theatre Communications Group (TCG), and the National New Play Network (NNPN). Clare Drobot serves as Artistic Director and as co-leader with Managing Director James McNeel. It is governed by a board of 26 community volunteers (Barbara Rudiak, board president). City Theatre recently completed its most successful box office season (2025/26) since 2008. Learn more at CityTheatreCompany.org