EMPLOYMENT

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Location: Brunswick, Maine
Reports to: Managing Director and Artistic Director
Status: Full-Time, Exempt

ABOUT MAINE STATE MUSIC THEATRE

Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT) is a nationally recognized, professional theatre committed to producing high-quality musical theatre each summer and enriching Maine’s cultural life. Our work extends beyond the stage through educational programming, community outreach, and efforts to foster the next generation of theatre lovers and makers.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Development Director plays a key leadership role at MSMT, responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy to support the theatre’s artistic and operational goals. This individual will cultivate meaningful relationships with donors, sponsors, and community partners while overseeing all aspects of MSMT’s contributed revenue streams—including annual giving, major gifts, grants, special events, and donor stewardship. The ideal candidate is an enthusiastic arts advocate passionate about storytelling and relationship-building, strong strategic thinking skills, and a results-oriented mindset.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Fundraising Strategy & Execution

  • Develop and implement a strategic fundraising plan aligned with MSMT’s mission and goals.
  • Lead all aspects of the Annual Fund, major gifts, planned giving, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and special campaigns, including working with the marketing team to create and execute digital and mail appeals biannually.

Donor Engagement & Stewardship

  • Maintain accurate donor records and oversee gift acknowledgments with the help of the Director of Patron Data & Analytics.
  • Maintain and enhance stewardship plans for donors at all giving levels.
  • Plan and execute donor recognition activities, backstage tours, opening night receptions, and other engagement events.

Grants & Institutional Giving

  • Work with volunteer grant writers to research, write, and manage proposals and reports to foundations, corporations, and government agencies.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

  • Oversee and support the Development Team, including:
    • Assistant Development Director – manages corporate partnerships and sponsorships.
    • Seasonal Arts Administration Fellow – assists across all administrative departments during the summer season with a focus on development, events, and donor services.
  • Contribute to the collaborative environment of MSMT by working closely with the Marketing team, Patron Services team, and other MSMT Annual and seasonal staff members.

Event Management

  • Plan and execute MSMT’s key fundraising and donor events with the help of staff, volunteers, and the Board.
    • Events include the Annual Gala, Season Kickoff, Season Announcement, Annual Meetings, Sponsor Concerts, and Opening Night Celebrations.
  • Coordinate event logistics, budgets, guest lists, and sponsor recognition

Travel Requirements & Programming

  • Organize and execute donor travel experiences, working with an external travel agent to coordinate complex travel itineraries and secure group accommodations, show tickets, restaurant reservations, and exclusive experiences.
  • Annual travel includes:
    • An international donor trip to London, centered around theatre experiences and cultural excursions.
    • Two to three trips per year to New York City, including an annual audition trip that involves travel coordination for staff and participating donors.
    • Additional destinations, as determined by the Development Director and Artistic team, may include Boston, Chicago, Paris, and Lancaster.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Minimum 2 years of progressive fundraising experience, preferably in a performing arts or nonprofit setting.
  • Proven track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong storytelling and proposal-writing abilities.
  • Detail-oriented; able to prioritize efficiently and multitask.
  • Experience working in a fast-paced, energized, and quickly changing environment
  • Proficiency with CRM/donor database systems (experience with PatronManager is a plus)
  • Proficiency with technology and highly comfortable with computers (Google Suite, Word, Excel)
  • A collaborative spirit, positive attitude, and passion for the performing arts.
  • Must be willing and available to work nights and weekends for events and travel.

SALARY & BENEFITS

  • Salary range: $70,000–$85,000, commensurate with experience.
  • Health insurance, paid time-off
  • Complimentary tickets to MSMT productions and events.

TO APPLY

Please submit to Stephanie Dupal, Managing Director, at Stephanie@msmt.org or Mand@msmt.org, your cover letter, employment resume, and three contact references—each including the person’s name, position, company, phone number, and email address—to Stephanie Dupal, Managing Director, at Stephanie@msmt.org or Mand@msmt.org. In the subject line, include your LAST NAME and JOB POSITION. **NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE**contact references, which should include the person’s name, position, company they work for, phone, and email address. LAST NAME and JOB POSITION in the subject line, please. ** NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE**

COSTUME RENTALS MANAGER
The Costume Rentals Manager shall solicit theatres to rent costume packages, make repairs on costumes, ship out packages, and intake returns.

MSMT MISSION STATEMENT

To enrich lives through musical theatre.
Essential functions include (but are not limited to):

  • Customer Service/Sales
  • Research theatres for possible costume rentals for their upcoming season
  • Solicit said theatres and coordinate future costume rentals by email & phone calls
  • Following up on all inquiries for costume rental packages by email & phone calls
  • Work with the Marketing Department for an advertising plan, such as email blasts to theatres with costume rental package information, etc.
  • Work with the Graphics Department for the Costume Rentals website for updates & maintenance
  • Create contracts for rental packages
  • Track all solicitations and completed rentals
  • Maintain accurate records
  • Receive all rental money, track payments, and deposit on a timely basis

Office:

  • Daily phone calls, voicemail, emails, and any other correspondence
  • Create monthly reports for MSMT Management

Shipping Costume Packages

  • Coordinate rental packages, inventory, pull costumes as needed to complete the package, pack up all boxes, and ship out the costume rental packages to theatre(s)
  • Receive all rental returns, check inventory, check for damages, return deposits, etc.
  • Damages to costumes- for missing or damaged items, report the damages to the renting company, give a breakdown list of charges that shall be deducted from their security deposit
  • Send all returned costumes to the dry cleaners
  • Pick up all finished dry cleaning

Costume Management

  • Keep an inventory of all costume rental packages
  • Make necessary repairs on damaged costumes
  • Maintaining the cleanliness and health of the stock
  • Researching and purchasing materials and supplies for costume builds and stock
  • refurbishments and replacements
  • Coordinate with volunteers to assist in costume repairs or build

Annual Staff

  • Participate in/working MSMT company events and helping with preparation/cleanup as needed
  • Adhere to the MSMT Safety protocols and all other applicable MSMT policies & procedures
  • Drive MSMT vehicles
  • Create a positive and respectful work environment

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS
Preferred candidates will have:

  • Ability to work independently
  • Excellent Customer Service and Sales experience
  • Superior knowledge and experience with costume construction and alteration techniques
  • such as machine and hand sewing, draping, millinery, tailoring, pattern creation, pattern
  • adaptation, pattern tracing, fitting, and altering
  • Proficiency with domestic and industrial sewing machines and other applicable equipment
  • common to costume workrooms
  • Knowledge of clothing materials, fabrics, notions, and demonstrated ability to work with them.
  • Exceptional planning, organizational, communication, time management, multi-tasking and interpersonal skills
  • Excellent computer/technology skills, Microsoft Word, Excel, etc.
  • Ability to manage a budget
  • Driver’s license and clean driving record required

COMPENSATION

  • $45,000 – $55,000 annually, based on experience
  • Commission for packages rented

BENEFITS

  • Health Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Dental
  • 401K- 4% match
  • Vacation Time
  • Paid Time Off

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Prolonged periods of sitting, standing, bending, kneeling, and climbing
  • Ability to regularly move and lift 30-50 lbs. The position involves lifting and moving cumbersome boxes, packages, equipment, etc.

WORK WEEK and HOURS

  • MSMT’s work week is Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm.
  • Weekends off unless there’s a special event and/or shipping deadline

EXEMPT
This is a year-round management position is Exempt
MSMT is Proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer

TO APPLY
Please submit to Stephanie Dupal, Managing Director, at Stephanie@msmt.org or Mand@msmt.org, your cover letter, employment resume, and 3 Please submit your cover letter, employment resume, and three contact references—each including the person’s name, position, company, phone number, and email address—to Stephanie Dupal, Managing Director, at Stephanie@msmt.org or Mand@msmt.org. In the subject line, include your LAST NAME and JOB POSITION. **NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE**contact references, which should include the person’s name, position, company they work for, phone, and email address. LAST NAME and JOB POSITION in the subject line, please. ** NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE**

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, and INCLUSION

Diversity and inclusion are core values at MSMT. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment for all employees. We believe every team member enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver solutions.

MSMT is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. MSMT is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunities for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at MSMT are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to race and color; religion or belief; national, social or ethnic origin; age; disability; sex, gender/gender identity, transgender status; marital, civil union, or domestic partnership status; past or present military service; family or parental status; pregnancy; family medical history or genetic information; political persuasion and/or belief; or status as a whistleblower in accordance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws. MSMT will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.