Senior Development Associate

The Senior Development Associate is a key member of Ballet West’s fundraising team, supporting a broad range of fundraising, donor stewardship, events and engagement, and departmental initiatives that advance the mission, vision, and values of Ballet West. Working closely with the Senior Director, External Affairs, the Director, Major Gifts and Corporate Sponsorships, and the Annual Giving Manager, this position supports individual and corporate giving, conducts research to identify and develop prospective corporate partners and sponsors, leads matching gift and workplace giving initiatives, coordinates meaningful donor and corporate partner experiences, and contributes to department-wide fundraising and stewardship efforts.

The ideal candidate values team camaraderie, has strong attention to detail, enjoys building relationships, and is motivated by creating meaningful experiences for Ballet West donors and partners.

Key responsibilities include:

Individual Giving & Donor Stewardship

Work with the Annual Giving Manager to identify opportunities to deepen donor relationships and increase engagement and giving.

Maintain donor strategies, activity, and next steps in Tessitura.

Corporate Partnerships

Work with the Director, Major Gifts and Corporate Sponsorships to maintain and develop Ballet West’s corporate prospect pipeline, including prospect research, outreach, cultivation, and follow-up.

Ensure contractual obligations are met for corporate partners, including tickets, recognition, advertising, hospitality, employee engagement, and other benefits.

Track corporate renewal dates and support timely cultivation, stewardship, and renewal.

Support corporate partner hospitality and engagement opportunities, including sponsor events, Industry Night, receptions, ticketing, and other benefits and experiences.

Assist with prospect research, sponsorship proposals, renewal materials, meeting briefs, and stewardship reports.

Ensure corporate sponsorships and in-kind contributions are accurately documented and tracked in Tessitura.

Matching Gifts & Workplace Giving

Lead Ballet West’s employer matching gift efforts and develop strategies to increase participation and revenue.

• Coordinate matching gift campaigns and donor follow-up, including implementation

and use of Double the Donation and Donate2.

• Track matching gifts and workplace giving activity and identify opportunities for

deeper engagement with participating companies.

Donor Events & Engagement

• Work collaboratively with the Development team to coordinate and execute donor

cultivation, stewardship, and recognition events, including receptions, in-studio

rehearsals, backstage experiences, performance-related gatherings, and other special

opportunities.

• Collaborate with Special Events Manager to coordinate event logistics including

invitations, guest lists, RSVPs, ticketing, venue and hospitality needs, internal

communications, event materials, and post-event follow-up.

• Attend Development events and select performances as needed, serving as a

welcoming Ballet West representative and helping ensure a high-quality experience for

donors, prospects, corporate partners, and other guests.

• Assist with post-event evaluation and follow-up, identifying opportunities to

strengthen future donor experiences and advance relationships.

Development Coordination

• Serve as the Development liaison to the Ballet West Guild, supporting communication,

coordination, and engagement with Guild leadership and members.

• Assist Development leadership with donor and prospect research, reporting,

correspondence, meeting preparation, and other materials that support fundraising

and relationship-building efforts.

• Collaborate with colleagues across Development, Marketing, Patron Servies, Project

Management, and other departments to support donor engagement initiatives and

institutional priorities.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of experience in development, donor relations, corporate

partnerships, nonprofit administration, or a related field.

• Four-year college degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Analytical ability and attention to detail.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage

multiple priorities.

• Entrepreneurial spirit, initiative, and curiosity.

Preferred but not required:

• Experience with Tessitura or another CRM helpful.
• Knowledge of ballet and the arts helpful.

Working Conditions & Expectations

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends when Ballet West performs or

hosts donor activities.

• Actively participate in creating a dynamic culture where employees support one

another through strong communication, trust, and respect.

• Uphold appropriate ethical and confidentiality standards related to fundraising and

donor information, following the ethical and confidentiality guidelines of the

Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA), and the

Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).

About Ballet West

BALLET WEST is a nonprofit founded in 1963 and is one of America’s leading and largest

ballet companies, led by Artistic Director Adam Sklute. The Company boasts a rich and

varied repertoire, elegant and versatile artists, and an American style and legacy that is as

dynamic, expansive, and unexpected as the Rocky Mountain region it represents. Ballet

West has toured the world several times, presenting the very best in American classical

ballet. More than 150,000 students are served through outreach programs each year,

reaching 100% of all Utah school districts. The Company continues to build future ballet

artists and audiences by providing classical ballet training through the Frederick Quinney

Lawson Ballet West Academy and its four campuses in downtown Salt Lake City, Lehi, Park

City, and Trolley Corners. With more than 1,000 students, it is the largest ballet and dance

school in Utah. Nearly $400,000 in scholarships are distributed annually to Academy

Students.

Ballet West embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a

team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Ballet West is an

equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against due to race, color,

religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability

status.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $47,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person