Development Director

About Us:

Walker|West Music Academy creates a music learning community rooted in the African
American cultural experience, where people of all ages and backgrounds gather to explore,
perform, and grow through music. Founded in 1988, the Academy provides affordable and
quality music instruction to infants through senior-age students. Programs include
individual and group instrumental lessons, jazz ensembles, early childhood music classes,
master classes, summer camps, digital music production, and concerts. Walker|West is
known for developing a caring community of music students and educators. Following a
strategic planning process, Walker|West’s vision is to be a cultural destination and
community resource, where exceptional music education and enrichment is affordable,
accessible, and rooted in the African American experience.

Position Overview: 

Position: Development Director
Location: Saint Paul, MN; as Walker West transitions buildings, this position will be based
out of the Coven Coworking Space in St. Paul, eventually transitioning to the new building
at 650 Marshall Ave. Position is open to a hybrid work setup - a mixture of in-person and
remote work is expected.
Type: Full-time, non-exempt
Reports to: Executive Director
Compensation and Benefits: $85,000 to $100,000 salaried position; with Paid Time Off
and a Health Savings Account

 
The Development Director will lead and manage Walker West’s fundraising during an
exciting time in the organization’s history. This role will lead the revenue growth
associated with Walker West’s Power of Music to Heal Our Community capital campaign
and work to sustain the organization’s growth over time. This position will be a key part of
ushering in the organization’s vision and operationalizing the development department, in
collaboration with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and Campaign Committee. To
date, Walker West has enlisted the Executive Director, with the support of fundraising and
grant writing consultants, to conduct its fundraising. As the organization expands, the
Development Director role has become essential.

Areas of Work
A. Provide organizational leadership in fundraising.
a. Building on the work of the current team and in alignment with the strategic
plan, develop a fundraising plan that meets the revenue goals of annual and
campaign giving goals.
b. Engage the Walker West Board of Directors, Leadership Team, and Campaign
Committee in fundraising activities to support revenue growth.
c. Build on existing and develop new relationships with foundations,
corporations, sponsors, and individual donors.
d. Build a development team to support and sustain Walker West’s growth.
Supervise and manage the development team as it grows, including database
entry, grant writing, and volunteer engagement functions.
e. Act as primary liaison and facilitator of the Campaign Committee.
f. Work with the Executive Director to generate and track progress toward
revenue projections each fiscal year.
B. Build on the success of Walker West’s capital campaign to facilitate progress from
$11M to $19.5M raised.
a. Implement a rigorous solicitation plan for individual donors and institutional
funders for the capital campaign.
b. As needs ebb and flow, and in collaboration with Campaign Committee
members and the marketing team, develop and update materials to support
the campaign (e.g. donor packets, testimonials, talking points, stories, etc.).
c. Engage Campaign Committee members in cultivating, soliciting, and
stewarding campaign contributors.
d. Meet with prospective donors and funders to cultivate, solicit, and steward
capital campaign gifts.
e. Track and explore prospective donors and funders for the capital campaign.
C. Sustain and grow a strong annual fund.
a. Intensify focus on individual giving and sponsorships of existing music
events.
b. Develop and implement a robust, consistent, and individualized annual
giving program for individual donors (e.g. mail, social media, electronic
communications, phone calls, meetings, etc.).
c. Develop a sponsorship program to solicit and steward sponsors for music
events and festivals facilitated by Walker West.
d. Direct and conduct grant writing to meet annual fund needs.
e. Support program staff to monitor and meet grant reporting deadlines.

f. Write communications (e.g. newsletter updates, solicitation asks) and collaborate with the marketing team to generate materials.

g. Explore prospective funders and donors to bring new supporters into the
Walker West fold.
D. Build a major gifts program to steward past and current gifts and cultivate future
gifts.
E. Foster a culture of philanthropy that aligns with community-centric fundraising.
Encourage cross-pollination with program staff to inform development efforts.
a. Develop and support strategies to engage staff and Board members in giving.
F. Explore and develop opportunities for Walker West to grow into the future (e.g.
strategies to develop a planned giving program and an endowment).

In this role, you will be expected to create an annual department work plan and provide
quarterly updates.

What You Will Bring to the Team at Walker West: 

1. Excellence and quality that embodies the mission and vision of Walker|West.
2. Relationship building and team building skills.
3. Excellent communication (oral and written), interpersonal, and presentation skills.
4. Ability to collaborate and work across functions and teams to keep projects moving.
5. Creativity and a passion for music education, arts, and community.
6. A deep understanding of disparities in access and a desire to act to reduce barriers
and increase opportunities for underrepresented and marginalized communities.
7. Desire to grow and develop.

This is how you support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are a core part of WWMA and embedded in our
legacy, mission, and vision and will be included in every aspect of this role in the
following ways:
A. Provide an inclusive and community-centered approach to fundraising.
B. Communicate across diverse teams and people using various forms of
communication.
C. Increase access and reduce barriers for all participants and work
collaboratively across WWMA to ensure this is part of the everyday work.

How to Apply: 

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter outlining your qualifications and work
experience to Amelia Colwell (she/her), Advancement Consultant, at amelia@walkerwest.org. 

Questions may be directed to the same email. Deadline to apply is Friday, May 17, at 5:00
p.m. The Hiring Team anticipates conducting two rounds of interviews with Walker West
staff and volunteers. The anticipated start date will be early July 2024. 

First-round candidates invited to interview will be asked to provide a writing sample, and
second round candidates will be asked to provide a brief strategy presentation (more
guidance to come). Incentives of $200 will be provided to all second-round candidates in
recognition of your time and labor.

 
Qualifications:
● Walker West is proud of its strong history as a Black-led organization and
encourages BIPOC folks to apply. Strong candidates will bring experience in working
with diverse community groups to fundraise for successful campaigns and annual
funds.
● Required qualifications: at least 5 years of experience in fundraising, development,
sales, or other revenue generation. Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written
communication skills.
● Preferred qualifications: at least 10 years of experience in leading fundraising,
development, or sales teams as a manager or supervisor; experience in capital
campaign fundraising as a staff member and/or volunteer.