Director of Development

Position Title: Director of Development (DoD)

Reports To: Executive Director (ED)

Status: Full Time

Date: January 17, 2025

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

ABOUT POINTS NORTH INSTITUTE

Points North Institute is a launchpad for emerging nonfiction storytellers. From our home in Midcoast Maine, we convene a global community of artists, audiences, and industry leaders, championing the idea that cinematic nonfiction is a powerful form of creative expression and a catalyst for community building and cultural change.

Our programs include artist development and public exhibition, anchored by the annual Camden International Film Festival (CIFF), a leading international showcase for documentary film and media art. We are committed to building a more artistic, equitable, and sustainable ecosystem for documentary storytellers, supporting over 60 emerging and mid-career filmmakers annually through fellowships, grants, creative retreats, and industry access opportunities.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Points North Institute is seeking a dynamic, collaborative, and visionary leader to join our team as Director of Development. This pivotal role offers the opportunity to work closely with the Executive Director, staff, and Board to shape the future of our organization by enhancing fundraising efforts and driving a 40% budget increase over the next three to five years.

This position goes beyond traditional fundraising—it’s about inspiring others to become part of our story and building enduring relationships with those who share our passion for independent documentary film. As Director of Development, you will play a vital role in supporting diverse artists and securing the philanthropic resources needed to advance our mission and achieve our strategic goals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

As Director of Development, you will:

• Shape and Execute Strategic Vision: Design and implement a comprehensive development plan to support Points North’s $2M annual budget and launch an ambitious capital campaign, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Drive Fundraising Innovation: Develop long-term strategies to build and diversify revenue streams, including major gifts, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, annual and planned giving, and signature fundraising events.
• Inspire and Cultivate Relationships: Build meaningful connections with donors, reflecting the diversity of the communities we serve, and foster an environment where supporters feel deeply engaged with Points North’s mission.
• Lead Donor Engagement: Oversee stewardship, recognition, and major donor programs, crafting compelling cases for support that inspire renewed and increased giving.
• Collaborate Across Teams: Partner with the Executive Director and Board to set strategic goals and timelines, communicate progress, and engage Board members in fundraising efforts. Coordinate with Marketing and Programs teams to craft targeted content for donors and supporters.
• Advance Institutional Giving: Research, identify, and secure multi-year restricted and unrestricted foundation grants, maintaining a strategic calendar of opportunities and overseeing grant proposal development.
• Maximize Corporate Partnerships: Manage the Partnerships Officer to identify and cultivate corporate sponsorships, developing innovative collaborations that align with Points North’s vision.
• Oversee Development Operations: Ensure CRM integrity, manage departmental budgets, and track key fundraising metrics, including donor acquisition, retention, and engagement.
• Elevate Events and Campaigns: Lead successful fundraising and cultivation events, strategize and implement biannual fundraising appeals, and create unique opportunities for donor engagement.
• Be a Compelling Ambassador: Represent Points North with passion and authenticity at local and national events, inspiring supporters and elevating the organization’s profile.
• Foster a Culture of Collaboration: Build lasting relationships with a broad network of philanthropists, corporate leaders, foundation officers, artists, Board members, and community stakeholders, all while communicating Points North’s mission, values, and vision with clarity and enthusiasm.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will:

1. Demonstrate a deep passion for Points North Institute’s mission and values, with a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
2. Bring at least seven years of proven success in development, with a track record of raising $1.5M+ annually from diverse revenue streams.
3. Possess a strong understanding of fundraising principles, including annual, major, and planned giving, as well as event planning, marketing, and communications.
4. Exhibit exceptional relationship-building skills, with a genuine, engaging presence and the ability to inspire donors and stakeholders.
5. Have leadership experience, including managing teams and motivating others to achieve ambitious goals.
6. Demonstrate excellent financial literacy, with experience managing budgets and organizational systems.
7. Thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment, effectively managing multiple projects and priorities.
8. Be skilled in leveraging technology, with proficiency in tools like Slack, Salesforce, Google Workspace, and WordPress.
9. Have experience in nonprofit arts and culture or related fields (preferred), and an understanding of nonprofit governance and compliance.
10. Excel in written and oral communication, with strong networking abilities to expand and deepen community and donor engagement.

REPORTING

The Director of Development reports to the Executive Director and directly supervises and supports the Partnerships Officer.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• We believe in a culture of care that includes health insurance for employees, parental leave, flextime, paid and sick time off.
• Salary range: $75,000 - $90,000 (commensurate with experience)
• Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package (medical insurance, 403(b) retirement plan, annual HSA contribution), paid holidays, technology stipend, and CIFF passes to share.
• This position is full time (40 hours per week) with flexible hours.
• This position will be based out of our office in Rockport, Maine for the majority of the time, though some flexibility will be considered.
• This position requires some national travel.

HOW TO APPLY

Resumes will be reviewed as they are received and interviews will begin in February 2025. Interviews will initially be conducted via Zoom video conference with a final in-person meeting.

Deadline for submitting applications is February 28, 2025.

Due to Points North’s small staff, applications will not be acknowledged. No phone calls please.

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that someone is unlikely to meet 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job posting describes you, then please apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Points North is an equal opportunity employer and committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and equitable arts community. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, and bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. We will not discriminate against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.