Head of Development

POSITION PURPOSE

The Head of Development plays a central role in achieving Queensland Ballet’s (QB) vision to enrich lives through ballet and our strategic plan’s aim to leave a long-lasting legacy for QB.

QB’s Donors and Partners are integral to the delivery of our vision to enrich lives through ballet. Partnerships comprise of both cash and in-kind contractual arrangements, steeped in meaningful business outcomes for both QB and Partners alike.

The Head of Development plays a central role in leading strategy and initiatives for donor and partners, and ensuring that all Development relationships are ethical, socially responsible and values-based, strategically aligned and delivered with professionalism according to the highest standards. Crucially, QB places great emphasis on individual relationships within businesses, ranging from Board to third-party consultants.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reporting to the Director of Philanthropy and Endowment, the Head of Development will be able to identify, negotiate, secure and manage multiple small- and large-scale relationships and initiatives to assist in the delivery of ambitious donation, cash and in-kind targets, and will be supported by the Development Manager and Patron Services, Philanthropy and Bequests Manager, and the Partnerships Manager to achieve this.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Development

• With the Director of Development and Endowment, develop strategy encompassing donors, partnerships, membership initiatives and other income-generating events and endeavours.
• Map, research, prospect and secure six-seven figure+ prospects across all sectors.
• Take active steps to develop and anchor strong, long-term relationships with key executives and other staff of current and potential business development engagement.
• Consolidate and build a strong record of engaging companies in strategic, long-term, core business engagements.
• Develop a new business pipeline and ongoing renewal to consistently deliver the Development targets.
• Facilitate meetings, develop pitch materials, steward corporate prospects and lead the negotiation of agreement terms and develop contracts.
• Through Tessitura, maintain a database on high value Development donors and partners, including gift recording and acknowledgments, supported by the Philanthropy and Bequests Manager and the Partnerships Manager.
• Work with the Finance team to ensure all gifts and transactions are compliant with Australian tax law.
• Develop, forecast and reforecast Development budget alongside other Development leadership roles.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, demonstrating firm adherence to cash-flow timelines by facilitating appropriate invoicing and campaign deadlines.
• Ensure all partnership deliverables adhere to guidelines of health and safety, prioritising people over outcomes first and foremost.
• Work closely and collaboratively to identify opportunities and challenges, and monitor initiatives currently enabled through Development activity.
• Coordinate internal stakeholder relationships held by QB Board, Artistic Director, Executive Director, senior leadership team and other QB team members.
• Liaise with internal teams and work collaboratively to ensure key communication, marketing and support to serve to heighten the stakeholder experience across all activities.
• Seek and foster nurturing relationships with thought-leaders for own personal and professional development to ensure inspired and engaged attitude at all times.
• Represent/pitch QB at local, state and interstate forums, meetings, workshops and networking activities and consistently promote all QB activities. [What are the core responsibilities of this role? These points should contain the right level of detail to allow for a breath of changing responsibilities, but accurately describe the role

Leadership

• Provide exemplary leadership by offering advice, knowledge and support to all direct reports and other relevant stakeholders to ensure resilience and commitment underpin a solution-focused approach.
• Continually provide informal coaching of all direct reports, to ensure a high performing team that is aligned to QB’s vision is capable of delivering on all required outcomes within expected timelines against the Company strategy and team plan.
• Effectively manage others through the provision of ongoing performance management and adequate professional development, including upskilling and succession planning.
• Ensure that the culture of the Development team is healthy and thriving, and contribute to an inspired environment and team at all times.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Demonstrated experience in a similar role developing and implementing strategy for business development and income growth, in a philanthropic, not-for-profit or performing arts setting.

Impeccable interpersonal communication and presentation skills, able to build, nurture and take stewardship over deepening our relationships with key stakeholders including donors and partners.

A leader in ethical practice, with persuasive abilities and strengths in diplomacy, building and influencing networks and making ‘an ask,’

Demonstrated success in leading a team to meet and exceed substantial annual income targets.

A strong understanding of the philanthropic landscape within a performing arts company in Australia, with sound commercial acumen and an established network of industry professionals.

Strong organisation and project-management skills with the ability to juggle competing priorities and deadlines, while ensuring attention to detail.

Solid computer skills and familiarity MS Office and utilising database systems to inform strategy.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA (optional)

Tertiary qualifications in philanthropic studies, a business-related or similar discipline.

ABOUT QUEENSLAND BALLET

Queensland Ballet is a vibrant, creative company which connects people and dance across Queensland. We offer a program of world-class productions of the best classical ballets and inspired contemporary dance works. The Company engages renowned choreographers and designers from around the world and nurtures emerging local talent by presenting exciting new works in an intimate studio series. With a culture of creativity and collaboration, complemented by an active program of engagement with our communities, Queensland Ballet has become the central hub for dance in the State. Our dancers are acclaimed for the technical excellence and versatility, and our annual program offers diversity in style, audience focus and geographic reach, with up to 100 performances in Brisbane and tours to regional Queensland.

When we open our doors, we welcome home all in our community. Our three homes form the foundations of our Artistic, Academy and Community pillars. We have designed each home with people at heart.

Thomas Dixon Centre — our headquarters and home to our artists and arts workers. Re-opening in 2022 following an extensive redevelopment, The WELLTM facilities at our home in Brisbane’s West End allow the Company to be housed in six studios, Wardrobe, Wellness Suite, dancer and office spaces as well as offer a full range of training and community access programs, including public dance classes. The new TDC Studio Theatre is a 356-seat venue with full stage, technical capability and backstage areas. Spaces including the Kite (Rooftop) Terrace, Bunker Bar and Community Studio will ensure that TDC fulfils its destiny to be a destination and cultural hub for all.

Queensland Ballet Academy — home to our arts students and teachers. We are committed to providing a pathway for young talent through the Queensland Ballet Academy. Queensland Ballet is dedicated to the pursuit of artistic excellence, dance education and innovative presentation of classical and neo-classical repertoire.

The Roy and Nola Thompson Production Centre — will be home to our arts makers and our arts assets. The Production Centre at Yatala is in development and will, once complete, house our production assets in a best-practice environment, enable the design and construction of our productions and be a home for commercial tenants. The Production Centre is a key cornerstone in QB’s sustainability strategy.

OUR VALUES AND PRINCIPLES OF COMMITMENT

With bold intentions to be unconstrained we will create magic and enrich lives by delivering across four core pillars: Artistic, Academy, Arts for All and Cultural Spaces.

Influenced by five core values and our principles of commitment, all that we do and all that we are, will remain true to the four core pillars.

1. Brilliance: we are world class in all that we do – we inspire excellence on stage, in studio, in business and in community.

2. Creativity: we are creative in every endeavour – we nurture our artform, artists, students and arts workers by exploring possibilities and responding to opportunities with agility.

3. Passion: with Queensland in our hearts – we celebrate our diversity, our heritage and our love of the artform through heartfelt connections.

4. Wellbeing: we promote wellness across society – we pledge to make a positive impact across all dimensions of wellbeing; social, cultural, emotional, physical, environmental and intellectual.

5. Integrity: we commit to Sustainable practice – we foster a culture of ethical behaviour that is anchored in community, integrity and legacy.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Recreation Leave

20 working days per year

Personal/Carer’s Leave

Ten working days per year

Hours of Work

Office hours are nominally 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday but the appointee may be required to be available to work after hours and on weekends from time to time. Additional hours are managed as per the QB Safe policy.

Salary

Salary is to be negotiated with the successful applicant. Superannuation is paid into the superannuation fund of your choice, currently at the rate of 11%.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply for this role, please forward a covering letter, current resume and a short statement addressing each selection criteria via email to ******@queenslandballet.com.au.

Please note that referees will be sought from candidates following the interview process. Applications close 10am, Thursday 23 November 2023.

For further information or for a confidential discussion please contact Human Resources on (07) 3013 6***. We respectfully advise that no agency applications will be considered at this time.

Queensland Ballet acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and perform. Long before we performed on this land, it played host to the dance expression of our First Peoples. We pay our respects to their Elders – past, present and emerging – and acknowledge the valuable contribution they have made and continue to make to the cultural landscape of this country.

To reflect the diversity of the communities and people with whom we engage, we seek to hire a workforce that is both representative and diverse. With a focus on inclusion, accessibility, and flexibility, we are committed to supporting you in your career with Queensland Ballet.

Queensland Ballet is committed to providing an inclusive and child safe environment that is free from Workplace Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Bullying. Our robust human resources, recruitment and vetting practices are adhered to during the application and interviewing process. Certain roles may require that we carry out working with children, police records and reference checks to ensure that we are recruiting the right people.