Director of Advancement

Director of Advancement
Glencoe, IL

About Writers Theatre
Writers Theatre boldly looks to the future as it begins its 32nd
season. Having captivated audiences for years with its dedication
to creating the most intimate theatrical experience possible, the
theatre is now a major Chicagoland cultural destination with a
national reputation for excellence, being called “America’s finest
regional theater company” by The Wall Street Journal. Under the
leadership of Artistic Director Braden Abraham and Executive
Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, the company is charting a path forward
for the next 30 years.

Since its founding in 1992, Writers Theatre has stayed true to its
core values: valuing the power of the written word and uplifting
the artists who bring that word to life. The company has produced
over 140 productions—everything from inventive interpretations of
classics to groundbreaking new work. In 2016, Writers Theatre
opened a new, state-of-the-art facility designed by the
internationally renowned Studio
Gang Architects. The new facility has allowed the Theatre to
accommodate its growing audience, while maintaining its trademark
intimacy.

Writers Theatre now welcomes more than 60,000 patrons each season
and has helped establish the North Shore of Chicago as a premier
cultural destination. Through its Literary Development Initiative,
which has been responsible for the nurturing and premiering of over
30 world premieres, the theatre has established itself as a major
originator of new theatrical works. Serving as an extension of the
Writers Theatre mission, WT Education programs engage an average
10,000 students each year with active learning opportunities
centered around the written word.

Mission
Writers Theatre’s mission is to create intimate connections through
astonishing performances and innovative programs; by activating
relationships between artists and community; and by inviting people
to gather in our spaces for transformative experiences.

Values
Lead with the art.
» We believe inspiration starts with the word on the page and the
shared experience of actors and audiences.
» We embrace the power and elasticity of language to transport us,
challenge us, and invite us to reflect on our lives and the lives
of others.
» We follow our strongest artistic instincts, delight in curiosity,
cultivate empathy, and foster an engaged creative process for all
involved.
» We commit to continued artistic excellence, cultural vitality,
and sharing productions and programs that start conversation.

Build a connected community.
» We offer a welcoming space to gather.
» We deepen experiences through exceptional education and
engagement programs.
» We uphold an accessible and inclusive environment rooted in
respect for all.

Nurture organizational culture, health, and equity.
» We work together as a team to ensure our workplace centers
diversity, generosity, and trust.
» We commit to the responsible and effective management of all
organizational resources to ensure healthy operations, and to
preserve ongoing assets into the future.

Organizational History
Writers Theatre was founded in 1992 to create an environment where
the written word and the nurturing of artists were the foundation
of all productions. The company was launched in the back room of
Books on Vernon, a newly opened bookstore in the village of Glencoe
on the North Shore of Chicago, by Co-Founders Michael Halberstam
and Marilyn Campbell-Lowe. Halberstam served as Founding Artistic
Director through 2021. The limited space available gave way to a
new aesthetic that has been a company hallmark ever since:
intimacy.

The “theatre in the back of a bookstore” became a welcome addition
to the already vibrant Chicago arts community and quickly
established a reputation as a home for world-class art and artists.
A second performance space opened in the Woman’s Library Club
building in 2003 and continued the company’s trademark level of
intimacy while allowing for new programming and educational
opportunities. In 2016, Writers Theatre opened a new,
state-of-the-art facility in downtown Glencoe, designed by the
award-winning, internationally renowned Studio Gang Architects, led
by Founder and Design Principal Jeanne Gang, FAIA, in collaboration
with Theatre Consultant Auerbach Pollock Friedlander. The new
facility established the company’s first permanent home and has
allowed the Theatre to continue to grow to accommodate its
audience, while maintaining its trademark intimacy.

Acclaimed by The Wall Street Journal as one of the top half-dozen
regional theatres in the country, Writers has offered more than 140
productions and garnered numerous awards and accolades, including
172 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations and 33 Awards. Among the
many notable productions in WT history are the world premiere of
Trevor the Musical by Dan Collins and Julianne Wick Davis, which
subsequently enjoyed an Off-Broadway run in 2021; Braden Abraham’s
revival of Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl; Katie Spelman and Matt
Deitchman’s staging of Once; David Cromer’s stagings of Picnic by
William Inge, A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams and
Next to Normal by Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt; Ron OJ Parson’s
stagings of East Texas Hot Links by Eugene Lee, Ma Rainey’s Black
Bottom by August Wilson and Stick Fly by Lydia Diamond; Kimberly
Senior’s stagings of Hedda Gabler, The Diary of Anne Frank and
Marjorie Prime by Jordan Harrison; William Brown’s stagings of A
Little Night Music, The Liar by David Ives, and Company; the world
premiere of A Minister’s Wife by Austin Pendleton, Jan Levy Tranen
and Josh Schmidt, conceived and directed by Michael Halberstam; the
American premiere of Conor McPherson’s The Dance of Death; PigPen
Theatre Co.’s The Old Man and the Old Moon and the world premiere
of The Hunter and the Bear; the Chicago premieres of Eleanor
Burgess’s The Niceties, Qui Nguyen’s Vietgone, Lydia Diamond’s
Smart People and Itamar Moses and David Yazbek’s The Band’s Visit;
Arcadia by Tom Stoppard, the inaugural production in the Alexandra
C. and John D. Nichols Theatre; and the world premiere of Death of
a Streetcar Named Virginia Woolf: A Parody, the inaugural
production in The Gillian Theatre.

The Literary Development Initiative (LDI) began in 2004 as a new
work development program committed to commissioning, developing,
and producing new plays, musicals, and adaptations. Each season,
the LDI holds readings and workshops of new projects in various
stages of development, tailoring the developmental process to meet
the needs of each work. Projects that have emerged from the LDI
include the world premieres of Crime & Punishment by Marilyn
Campbell and Curt Columbus; The Savannah Disputation by Evan Smith;
Old Glory and Do the Hustle by Brett Neveu; The Detective’s Wife by
Keith Huff; Days Like Today by Laura Eason and Alan Schmuckler; the
English version of Quixote: On the Conquest of Self by Claudio
Valdes Kuri, Monica Hoth and Georgina Escobar; Witch by Jen
Silverman; Dishwasher Dreams by Alaudin Ullah; Wife of a Salesman
by Eleanor Burgess; Pearl’s Rollin’ with the Blues by Felicia P.
Fields and Ron OJ Parson; and Manual Cinema’s Christmas
Carol.

In 2005, Writers Theatre expanded its programming to include
education initiatives aimed at closing the arts education gap in
Chicagoland schools. WT Education’s comprehensive in-school,
on-site and community-based initiatives emphasize collaboration,
cultivate self-expression, encourage imaginative inquiry, and
promote civic responsibility. These innovative programs engage
nearly 10,000 students and community members each year,
approximately 90% of whom live and/or attend school in
under-resourced areas. WT Education continues to evolve with its
teacher partners, teaching artists and inspiring students.

In 2023 Writers Theatre welcomed Braden Abraham as Artistic
Director, joining Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma as
co-leaders of WT.

Position Summary
Writers Theatre seeks a committed and resourceful Director of
Advancement (DOA) who will be responsible for procuring and growing
WT’s donor base to ensure the organization’s long-term stability.
Reporting to the Executive Director and working closely with both
the Executive and Artistic Directors and the Board of Trustees, the
DOA oversees a staff of five and is an integral member of the
Senior Leadership Team.

The DOA will be responsible for achieving budgeted goals in all
areas of contributed revenue, including government, foundation,
corporate, individual, and special events. WT’s fundraising efforts
include an Annual Plan to raise $3 million each year to sustain
annual operations and a Legacy Project to raise
capital/reserve/endowment to ensure the long-term success of
WT.

Essential Job Functions
The Director of Advancement’s primary responsibilities include but
are not limited to:
» Develop, communicate, and implement a Fundraising Plan to secure
and achieve annual fundraising goals.
» Lead and manage the Development staff, establish achievable goals
to hold the team accountable, and conduct regular performance
evaluations.
» Lead the strategies and gift solicitations from individual,
foundation, corporate, and government sources.
» Maintain an active portfolio of major donors and prospects. The
DOA will spend significant time on major gift development,
cultivation, solicitation, and the stewardship of major
donors.
» Act as a strategic partner to the Executive Director, Artistic
Director, and Board of Trustees to support and advise on their
fundraising activities.
» Work closely with staff, Board, and other volunteers to maximize
the effectiveness of special events, including the annual Wordplay
Gala, to attract and retain donors.
» Prepare and manage the department’s financial reports and budget
and provide fiscal oversight to meet revenue goals.
» Participate and report at Executive Committee and Board
meetings.
» Oversee the Trustee Governance and Advancement Committees of the
Board of Trustees and others as assigned.
» In collaboration with Leadership and the Board of Trustees,
develop, communicate, and implement a multi-year plan to raise
funds for a Legacy Project to raise capital/reserve/endowment to
ensure the long-term success of WT.
» Establish and support a Planned Giving Program.
» Attend WT programming and development events as needed.
» Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess most of the following
qualifications:
» At least eight years of fundraising experience.
» Strong leadership and administration skills, with experience in
managing staff.
» A proven track record of participating in securing major gifts
(5-6 figures). Prior experience as a Director of
Development/Advancement and prior experience in campaign
fundraising is a plus.
» The ability to establish rapport with high-level donors and
trustees, to work effectively with volunteers and staff, and an
eagerness to take an active, public role in cultivating and
soliciting donors and serve as a representative of WT.
» An interest in theater and the arts; an understanding of and
desire to support WT’s mission.
» An existing knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn
Chicagoland’s arts and culture philanthropic landscape. Knowledge
of the North Shore is a plus.
» Outstanding interpersonal, verbal, and written communication
skills in order to respond effectively and diplomatically to donors
and stakeholders and engage a diverse set of patrons.
» Superior organizational skills are essential, with the ability to
balance the many challenges and opportunities inherent in a live
arts environment.
» A bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience is
required.

Reporting Relationships
The Director of Advancement reports directly to the Executive
Director and has the following management responsibilities:

» Associate Director of Advancement
o Special Events Coordinator
o Advancement Coordinator
» Senior Manager of Major Gifts and Corporate Relations (vacant as
of 4/22)
o Manager of Individual Giving

*Bold indicates DOA direct report

Compensation + Benefits
The salary for this position is commensurate with experience and
will range from approximately $90,000-$120,000. Writers Theatre
offers a benefits package that includes:
» Health Insurance. Health insurance coverage will begin on the
first day of the month after sixty days on the job. The employee
cost for individual coverage ranges between 25-35% of the cost of
the monthly premium (currently $101.01 to $154.16 per month
depending on the plan chosen), and WT pays the remaining cost of
your individual premium for you. Coverage for a spouse, domestic
partner, or children is available, and the Theatre will pay 50% of
the cost of the monthly premium. Coverage is a choice between two
PPO plans, or an HMO provided by UnitedHealthcare.
» Dental Insurance. Dental Insurance coverage will begin on the
first day of the month after sixty days on the job. WT will cover
the cost of your individual premium for you. Coverage for a spouse
or children is available, and the employees pay the difference in
cost to add family member(s) to the plan. The employee portion of
the monthly premium cost is deducted pre-tax from your paycheck.
Coverage is a PPO plan provided by Delta Dental of Illinois.
» Long-Term Disability Insurance. Long-Term disability coverage
will begin on the first day of the month following your hire date.
In the event you are unable to work due to injury or illness for
longer than 90 days, this coverage will pay 60% of your salary
subject to the terms of the policy. WT pays the full cost of your
individual premium for you. Coverage is provided by Unum Insurance
Co.
» 403(b) Plan. WT offers a tax-deferred 403(b) retirement savings
options. Participation is voluntary. After one year of employment,
WT matches employee contributions at 33%, up to 6% of their
salary.
» AFLAC Insurance. WT offers a range of supplemental insurance
coverages including short-term disability, accident, and
catastrophic illness coverages. Participation is voluntary;
employees pay the full cost of premiums for elected
coverages.
» Cafeteria Plan. You may elect to participate in Medical and/or
Dependent Care flexible spending accounts, which allow you to use
pre-tax dollars to pay for qualifying dependent-care and medical
expenses.
» Paid Time Off. WT allows you to accrue up to 10 vacation days,
five sick days, and five personal days per fiscal year, as well as
10 paid holidays.
» Direct Deposit. You can opt to have paychecks directly deposited
to a bank account.
» Complimentary and Discounted Tickets. Employees are eligible for
a complimentary pair of tickets to each subscription play subject
to availability, as well as certain discounts on ticket
purchases.
As a reflection of our firm’s commitment to equity and equal pay
for all, Cooper Coleman requires that salary ranges or salary
starting points be published for every search we conduct. The
practice of not posting salaries perpetuates the gender and racial
wage gap and discriminates against women, people of color, and
other historically excluded populations by causing individuals to
negotiate from a disadvantaged starting point.

Location
This position is hybrid position located in Glencoe, IL, and
requires the successful candidate to reside in or relocate to the
Chicagoland area before their start date. WT’s hybrid work model
requires two to three days in the office each week, or as business
requires.

Submission Instructions (read carefully)
Cooper Coleman is
leading this search on behalf of Writers Theatre. To apply, please
visit this
link(www.coopercoleman.com/current-searches). Nominations of
qualified candidates can be sent to:

Johnny Cooper
[email protected]

Kindly use the position title as the subject line of your email.
All inquiries will be held in confidence.

A cover letter is not required with your initial application but is
welcomed to help us understand your fitness for and interest in
this role during our initial evaluation. Candidates invited for
interviews will be asked to provide a thoughtful letter of interest
indicating their specific qualifications for the opportunity,
desire to join Writers Theatre, and connection to its
mission.

Cooper Coleman LLC is committed to providing equal employment
opportunities to all qualified candidates and will refer candidates
without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex,
sexual orientation or identity, age, ability, veteran status, or
any other legally protected basis.

EEO + Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Writers Theatre is an equal opportunity employer located in
Glencoe, IL. We are committed to upholding the principles of
inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and anti-racism in
recruitment of staff in all departments. To that end, for all
employment opportunities, we actively encourage applications from
persons of color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, individuals with
disabilities and all other identities and legally protected
classes.

Writers Theatre’s Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and
Inclusion
At Writers Theatre, we stand together against racism, and for
justice and equality. We are committed to listening and learning
and are invested in the work critical to change, in order to ensure
an equitable society for all, especially for those who are Black,
Indigenous and People of Color.

We hold ourselves accountable. We are dedicated to a continuous
in-depth, organization-wide assessment of our policies and ways of
working that involves the staff, board, and community members.
Together, we are working to improve existing policies and implement
new practices that reaffirm that racism, harassment, and
discrimination have no place at WT.

View Writers Theatre’s complete statement on our commitment to
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion here.

Background Checks + Credentials Verification
Before sending your resume for this position, please read it over
for accuracy. Cooper Coleman verifies its candidates’ employment
and academic credentials at the time of offer, and our clients
frequently conduct background checks before finalizing an
offer.

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