The Abbey Theatre | Job Description

JOB TITLE: Development Officer

RESPONSIBLE TO: Head of Development

The Abbey Theatre is Ireland’s National Theatre and occupies a unique position in the hearts and minds of Irish people. It comprises two theatres: the Abbey, with a seating capacity of 492 seats, and the Peacock, with a seating capacity of 157 seats. The Abbey is committed to producing a year round programme of work both on and off stage, with the priority to create work of excellence, which not only showcases Irish and international drama but also engages with the artistic and civic life of contemporary Ireland.

2008 represents the third year of Fiach Mac Conghail’s tenure as Director of the Abbey Theatre, as well as the third in major new three-year funding of €25.7m by the Arts Council of Ireland.

Under the direction of Fiach Mac Conghail, the Board, management and staff of The Abbey are currently engaged in a major process of change and restructuring. As part of this process, a Development Department is being created. This significant new Department is crucial to establishing and advancing the theatre’s income generation streams and customer loyalty objectives.

PURPOSE/OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE
This is new post, within a new Department at the Abbey Theatre. The department currently consists of the Head of Development and the Development Operations Manager (a part time post). The Development Officer will complete this small team whose purpose is to raise increasing sums of money to support the Abbey’s work and future ambitions. A key part of this role will be to look after existing supporters and to make the Abbey a byword for excellence in supporter care.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties will include, but will not be limited to, the responsibilities below.

• To act as first point of contact between Development and existing supporters, providing excellent customer service at all times, to maintain and develop these relationships.

• To maintain up to date contact records for supporters.

• To process and fulfill new memberships and member renewals.

• To co-ordinate the delivery of agreed benefits to existing supporters.

• To monitor and report on take up of benefits by supporters and to gather feedback.

• To conduct and maintain research on current and prospective supporters and present findings in an agreed format.

• To compile and update biographies and to write event briefing notes for circulation to development and marketing staff and the Senior Management Team.

• To administer and assist in the co-ordination of development events.

• To co-ordinate and administer membership recruitment drives.

• To record Development income and expenditure as directed by the Development Operations Manager.

• To keep up-to-date with current fundraising practice.

• To act as support to the Head of Development and undertake any other tasks as may be deemed reasonable and appropriate.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal
• Box Office and Sales
• Marketing
• Front of House
• Press
• Finance

External
• Existing Abbey Theatre supporters (friends, patrons, benefactors and sponsors)
• Key trusts and foundations
• The corporate sector in Dublin
• Potential individual, corporate and other supporters.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
The ideal candidate will have the following skills and experience and will be looking to build a career in arts fundraising:

SKILLS

• Excellent written & spoken English.

• The ability to work to deadlines and to remain calm and focussed under pressure.

• Excellent administration and organisational ability.

• The ability to deal confidently with people at all levels, both face to face and over the phone.

• Attention to detail.

• Ability to work well as part of a team and independently.

EXPERIENCE

• At least two years relevant work experience, ideally in fundraising or marketing/PR.

• Demonstrable experience of using microsoft office applications, particularly word and excel.

• Experience of working with databases.

• Familiarity with the internet and email.

• Experience in a customer service environment.

• Experience of events organisation is desirable.

• Interest in Theatre and the Arts is essential.

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Post: This is a full time post.

Hours: Standard hours are 09.30 to 17.30 with an hour for lunch.
This post requires attendance at performances and events outside of normal hours on a regular basis.

Annual Salary: salary commensurate with skills and experience

Probationary period: 3 months

Holidays: 24 days per annum (including Good Friday & Christmas Eve)

Public Holidays: 9 Public holidays per annum

Pension: The Abbey Theatre provides employees with access to a Personal Retirement Savings Account (PRSA) and will match contributions up to 5.5% of salary.

Employees must contribute a min. of 3% to avail of employer contributions. Contributions are made through payroll.

Life Assurance: The Abbey Theatre Group Life Assurance plan provides a benefit to all employees of 4 times annual salary in the event of death while in service.

Health Insurance: Employees are provided with the option to join The Abbey Theatre – VHI Group Scheme. Participant employees receive a 10% discount on any VHI plan and the subscription is deducted through payroll.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications should include:
1. A comprehensive curriculum vitae giving details of relevant achievements in recent posts as well as your education and professional qualifications;
2. A covering letter that summarises your interest in this post, providing evidence of your ability to match the criteria outlined in the Person Specification;
3. Details of your latest salary, notice period and names of 2 referees, together with a brief statement of the capacity in which they have known you and an indication of when in the process they can be contacted (please note we will not contact your referees without your express permission), and
4. Telephone contact numbers (preferably daytime and evening/mobile) which will be used with discretion.

Please send the above information to:
Cliona Bolger
The Abbey Theatre
26/27 Lower Abbey Street,
Dublin 1

Or email applications to:

cliona.bolger@abbeytheatre.ie

Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 4th April 2008 at midday.

The Abbey Theatre is an equal opportunities employer.