POSITION: Annual Giving Manager
POSTED: September 22, 2025
TERM: Year-round, Exempt, full-time
SUPERVISOR: Sunie Gorey, Director of Development
SCHEDULE: Full-time, Monday through Friday typical with some weekend events
SALARY: $1,250 – $1,442 per week ($65k-$75k per year), plus benefits
About the Organization
Shakespeare & Company is a professional live theater company in the heart of the Berkshires, presenting a vibrant summer performance season featuring the works of Shakespeare in repertory with classic and contemporary plays. The Company offers one of the most extensive actor training programs by a regional theater in the country and is home to an award-winning and nationally recognized theater-in-education program. Shakespeare & Company is committed to evolving its approach to diversity and inclusion to engender an active process and positive change toward equity in its employment and artistry. Our goal is to engage ourselves in endeavors that enrich and promote a more just society, and we seek to engage those who will embrace our vigorous commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility as well as anti-racism initiatives. We strongly encourage applications from groups historically underrepresented in theater and theater administration including People of the Global Majority, LGBTQIA+, women, people who are neurodiverse, and people with disabilities.
Position Summary
The Annual Giving Manager is a key partner in Shakespeare & Company’s development department, supporting the Director of Development by helping manage daily functions of the department, coordinating staff workflows, and strengthening core fundraising systems – ensuring smooth operations while the Director leads a major capital campaign. The Annual Giving Manager will supervise the Community relations Manager and seasonal Development Events Associate; will play an important role in supporting the execution of Shakespeare & Company’s Annual Fund campaign which raises contributions through individual giving, sponsorships, alumni support, and donor events; and will assist with mid-level donor strategy, stewardship systems, and alumni engagement — helping nurture a culture of philanthropy and partnership across the organization.
Roles & Responsibilities
- Annual Fund & Constituent Relations
- Plan, execute and grow the annual fund.
- Develop and oversee donor-centered campaigns, including segmentation, appeals, and coordinated outreach across print, email, and events.
- Collaborate with the Development Strategist and Database Manager to track donor activity, report outcomes, and adjust tactics for stronger engagement.
- Integrate alumni and donor strategies into annual giving efforts, building long-term relationships and fostering deeper connections.
- Donor Engagement & Stewardship
- Create and implement a year-round stewardship plan with personalized touches, acknowledgments, and event-based strategies.
- Lead donor benefit tracking and fulfillment, ensuring strong engagement with Players’ Society and Ambassadors.
- Build and manage a portfolio of mid-level donors and prospects with strategies to move annual donors toward major giving and legacy consideration.
- Conduct prospect research and prepare background materials to support cultivation by the Director of Development and senior leadership.
- Partner with the Director of Development and collaborate with the Development Team on planning and executing the annual Gala.
- Partner with the Development Team to design and deliver cultivation gatherings, alumni engagement events, and constituent-focused programming.
- Lead off-season events.
- Team & Department Collaboration
- Manage day-to-day team deliverables across donor relations, events, and stewardship.
- Supervise direct reports with mentorship, clarity, and consistency in workflow.
- Support the Director of Development in campaign logistics, internal readiness, donor briefings, and campaign-related communications.
- Ensure accurate and timely data entry, tracking, and documentation in Raiser’s Edge by team members.
- Oversee RE email and snail mail coordination with Marketing & Communications to strengthen targeted donor communications.
- Support Director of Development in maintaining department files, digital systems, and reconciliation with Finance.
- Represent the Development Team at performances, donor events, and public engagements, acting as a visible and welcoming presence for supporters, partnerships and alumni.
Experience, Knowledge, Skills, & Characteristics Sought
- 4+ years of nonprofit fundraising, development, or project management experience, preferably in the arts or education sector.
- Proven ability to lead teams, coordinate complex projects, and manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Excellent writing, communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team.
- Strong proficiency with CRM and donor databases (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, AudienceView), Microsoft Office.
- Highly organized, with a passion for the performing arts and Shakespeare & Company’s mission and programs.
- Strong commitment to creating meaningful and memorable experiences for donors that contribute to the success of Shakespeare & Company’s mission;
- Completion of a COVID-19 vaccine regimen and booster, if eligible, prior to employment term.