Associate Director of Development, Strategy and Operations

The Associate Director of Development, Strategy and Operations plays a key role in ensuring the efficient, effective and strategic functioning of Ford’s Theatre’s Development operations and planning.

This position leads gift processing and database and workflow management, setting and maintaining the internal operational standards that support year-over-year fundraising growth. The Associate Director also oversees prospect development, supporting gift officers with research, portfolio management tools and data-driven insights. This role contributes to a culture of strong systems, cross-team coordination and continuous improvement. The position reports to the Director of Development and supervises the Development Associate.

The position is based in Washington, D.C. and is eligible to work within stated Ford’s hybrid work guidelines which includes up to 2 days a week remote. Ford’s Theatre Society values and is committed to maintaining a diverse, inclusive and equitable workforce and working environment. Ford’s is proud to be an equal opportunity employer where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, family status, sexual orientation, disability, age, neurodiversity, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Principal Responsibilities

Revenue Management and Operational Excellence 

• Partner with the Director of Development on operational strategy and long-term departmental needs that enable all functions to contribute to sustainable fundraising growth. 

• Oversee operational processes (including gift entry and acknowledgments) and staff, ensuring accuracy, speed and best practice application.   

• Identify and implement opportunities for innovation, process improvement, systems enhancement and strategic alignment across the department. Strengthen internal workflows, documentation and cross-team communication to improve operational efficiency. 

• Lead special projects that advance departmental priorities and emerging organizational needs. 

• In collaboration with the Director of Development, manage the departmental budget and budget reconciliation with Finance staff. Serve as the primary point of contact for the Development Department during the annual audit. 

Prospect Development and Portfolio Support 

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive prospect development program, including prospect research, qualification and pipeline management. 

• Provide actionable research, donor profiles, and briefings to support gift officers and executive leadership. 

• Develop and manage portfolio tools and tracking systems to promote accountability and strong moves management. 

• Work with program, finance, and senior leadership to identify promising new prospects and areas of opportunity. 

Leadership and Staff Engagement 

• Support the Director of Development in building a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation and continuous improvement. 

• Serve as a mentor and resource to colleagues on systems, processes, data integrity and strategic priorities.  

• Supervise the Development Associate position, providing coaching and mentorship as they manage their workflows and pursue fundraising objectives and professional development goals.   

• Represent Ford’s Theatre at donor events, performances and cultivation activities. 

• Lead guided tours and personalized experiences for major donors and prospects.  Participate in occasional trainings to stay current with Ford’s interpretations of historic events and their relevancy today. 

• Participate in strategic planning discussions, organization-wide planning efforts and cross-departmental initiatives. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

• Excellent organizational, analytical and operational management skills.  

• Strategic thinker with a track record of innovation and problem-solving.  Demonstrated success in fundraising strategy, planning and revenue management. 

• Ability to develop efficient workflows and distill data into useful insights. 

• Experience with prospect research tools, donor databases and fundraising operations.  Familiarity with donor databases; Tessitura experience highly preferred.  

• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, with a commitment to cross-departmental alignment.  

• Ability to manage multiple complex projects with a high attention to detail.  

• Ability to work effectively with a diverse community of donors, staff, volunteers and senior leadership.  High degree of professionalism, discretion and confidentiality. 

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for performances and events. 

• Enthusiasm for the performing arts, education and/or history. 

Experience 

• Minimum six years of experience in development, fundraising or related fields, preferably within a nonprofit cultural organization, with progressively increasing levels of both responsibility and successful outcomes. 

• Experience managing systems and processes across various fundraising channels preferred. 

• Demonstrated leadership experience required. 

Salary

Approximately $75,000-$85,000 annually.  

Ford’s offers a dynamic working environment steeped in culture and history along with a robust benefits package including highly subsidized health insurance, 401(k) contributions and generous paid leave policies. 

To Apply:

Please send resume and cover letter to [email protected]. 

Applications will be accepted through Friday, March 13, 2026.