Position Summary

 The Manager, Shakespeare & Professional Development Programs, coordinates, administers and promotes the ESU’s Shakespeare education programs, Teachers Learning Abroad (TLab) Scholarship Program, and in-person and online teacher professional development workshops.

Responsibilities include managing the ESU National Shakespeare Competition and National Shakespeare Writing Program, the TLab scholarship program teacher professional development activities, maintaining communications with schools and ESU Branches, preparing and monitoring program budgets, and supporting grant proposals related to these programs.

The Manager works collaboratively with ESU Branches, program alum, schools, teachers, students, UK universities and theatre institutions, professional educators, volunteers, and internal departments to ensure the effective and timely delivery of programs. The position emphasizes program management, growth, organization, communications, logistics, and budget administration.

Key Responsibilities

1. Shakespeare Programs 

Plan, promote and run:

• the ESU National Shakespeare Competition NYC Weekend Activities and Finals at Lincoln Center
•  the ESU New York City Branch Shakespeare competitions: two semifinal competitions at the ESU and one finals competition at The Players in Gramercy Park.
•  two virtual National Shakespeare Writing Program competitions
• Serve as a primary point of contact for participating ESU Branches, schools, teachers, students, alum, judges, volunteers, and other program stakeholders.
• Maintain program websites, calendars, schedules, participant information, records, and supporting documentation.

2. Teachers Learning Abroad (TLab) Scholarship Program 

• Promote TLab Scholarship Professional Development Summer programs in the United Kingdom with ESU Branches and educators nationwide
• Serve as a point of contact for ESU Branches, educators, TLab scholarship recipients and UK partner universities and theatre institutions for the development and administration of the program. 
• Maintain TLab scholarship records, track deadlines, and ensure required applications are completed in a timely manner regarding acceptance and notification

• Coordinate with UK partners regarding ESU applications, acceptance and notification to communicate logistics and follow-up to support a smooth experience for participants and participating institutions 

3. Teacher Professional Development Program 

• Plan, promote and administer teacher professional development activities offered in person and online.
• Work with the Director of Educational Programs to design professional development offerings.

• Communicate with teachers, educators, program partners, and ESU Branches.
• Manage logistical arrangements for professional development sessions, including scheduling, registration, participant communications, and program materials.
• Collect participant feedback and assist with evaluating program effectiveness and identifying opportunities for improvement.

4. Program Communications and Outreach

In collaboration with the Marketing Coordinator, prepare and distribute:

• invitations, announcements, reminders, and other program-related communications to schools, teachers, students, scholarship applicants and recipients, ESU Branches, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain and update all relevant program information on the ESU website, CRM, and in electronic and printed materials including promotional program flyers and playbills for the in-person competitions and collateral material.

5. Grant Support

• Compile program descriptions, participation data, outcomes, and budget information – prepare and submit grant applications and funder reports as needed.
• Provide supporting information to help communicate program activities, results, and impact.

6. Budget Administration and Program Evaluation

• Prepare annual budgets for assigned programs for review and approval by the Director of Educational Programs.
• Monitor approved budgets, track program income and expenses, and identify variances or anticipated financial concerns.
• Maintain accurate program records and prepare periodic reports on program activities, participation, and outcomes.

Qualifications

• Experience in arts or educational program management
• Experience in marketing, events planning and coordination
• Excellent writing and organizational skills 
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work as part of a highly collaborative team within the organization and build positive rapport.
• Attention to detail and can manage projects with multiple deadlines and team members.
• Ability to maintain records, analyze data and prepare reports required.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision required.
• Ability to travel in the US and UK 
• Thorough computer capabilities, including social media, Office, Power Point, Webinars, WordPress, NeonOne and Constant Contact

Familiarity with Shakespeare, theater, arts education, teacher professional development, or educational programming is desirable.

 Salary

$70,000–$75,000 annually.

 Benefits and Work Environment

The ESU offers a benefits package that includes health insurance, a pension plan, and paid holidays. The organization also maintains a hybrid work policy subject to organizational policies and position requirements.

The Director of Development (DoD) will serve as ESU-US’s chief fundraising strategist and be responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive revenue strategy that advances ESU’s mission. Partnering closely with the Executive Director and Board, the DoD will grow and diversify annual and institutional support; elevate major and planned gifts; strengthen branch-level fundraising capacity; and steward a culture of philanthropy across the organization. The Director must be comfortable working alongside board members and volunteers, earning their trust and motivating their fundraising participation without having any authority over them, and able to provide scalable tools and coaching to volunteer-led local chapters.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Director of Development will
• develop and lead a multi-year, data-informed development plan aligned to ESU-US’s strategic priorities and branch network growth;
• set clear revenue goals, monitor progress, and adapt strategy and execution to meet or exceed targets;
• serve as a visible ambassador for ESU’s mission and programs;
• build and manage a high-value portfolio of individual donors and prospects and lead moves management from qualification through stewardship;
• partner with the President/Executive Director and Board to plan and execute high-impact cultivation and solicitation of prospective donors;
• partner with campaign consultants to advance ESU-US’s Capacity-Building Campaign, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities.
• translate consultant recommendations into actionable fundraising plans, prospect pipelines, and donor engagement strategies;
• mobilize Board, major donor prospects, and campaign committee members to engage in and support the campaign;
• create and execute campaign communications, events, and recognition opportunities that elevate donor engagement and visibility;
• track progress, report results, and ensure donor stewardship and recognition throughout the campaign;
• oversee a focused pipeline for grants and sponsorships, develop compelling cases for support, and ensure timely, high-quality proposals and reports.
• align corporate engagement with program impact and brand visibility (e.g., sponsorships, employee engagement, volunteerism);
• staff the Board Development Committee and drive Board giving and participation goals;
• provide fundraising reports to the Board, Task Force, and other special groups on a regular basis;
• provide coaching, tools, and scalable templates to strengthen branch fundraising;
• coordinate national appeals and campaigns that branches can localize to grow membership and philanthropy;
• ensure a best-in-class stewardship program with personalized acknowledgment, impact reporting, and engagement opportunities;
• set strategy and revenue goals for signature cultivation and fundraising events, prioritizing measurable ROI;
• ensure disciplined use of the CRM (e.g., segmentation, and analytics that inform strategy.); 
• work with the Comptroller to manage development budgets and forecasts, engaging outside vendors and consultants as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:
The English-Speaking Union of the United States seeks a Director of Development with
• a commitment to the mission of ESU – to expand minds, strengthen friendships, and unlock opportunities through the use of the English language;
• a history of success with major gifts and institutional giving for organizations with at least $1.5M in annual revenue;
• experience supporting federated or branch/chapter models and coaching small or volunteer-led development efforts;
• demonstrated success designing and meeting multi-channel revenue plans;
• an understanding of planned giving principles;
• experience supporting or leading fundraising campaigns;
• an ability to be an excellent storyteller with strong written and verbal communication skills;
• an ability to translate program impact into compelling donor value propositions;
• experience partnering with Boards and volunteer leaders to drive results;
• an ability to leverage data-driven decision-making and portfolio discipline;
• familiarity with programs serving immigrants/new Americans, educators, and youth arts/education;
• knowledge of fundraising CRMs (Neon), wealth screening tools, modern prospecting tools, and Microsoft 365; 
• knowledge of database management, gift tracking and prospect management.

A bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least seven years of progressive fundraising leadership is required for this position.

The English-Speaking Union of the United States will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. If you are excited about this role and feel that you can contribute to ESU-US, but your experience does not exactly align with every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply.