Summary
Description
Position Overview:
The Music Hall, a vibrant performing arts venue, and the New Hampshire Film Festival (NHFF), a premier annual event celebrating independent cinema, are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Development Officer, NHFF & Special Projects to join the Development team. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Development, this dual-focused role is responsible for securing and managing corporate sponsorships and individual giving to support the New Hampshire Film Festival and special projects as a part of The Music Hall. New Hampshire Film Festival, hosted in the heart of Portsmouth, New Hampshire every October, attracts filmmakers and audiences from around the country and globe. Poised for growth, this position will be responsible for growing contributed income for NHFF from individuals, corporations, and foundations. This position will also be responsible for securing sponsorship support for The Music Hall’s Special Projects such as the annual Emerging Artist Benefit Concert, programming at the Whittemore Center, the Literary Festival, Telluride by the Sea, and other non-traditional programming and outreach efforts at The Music Hall.
The ideal candidate will have excellent communication and relationship-building skills, a sales-focused approach, a passion for the arts, and experience in fundraising. Candidate must have strong writing skills, an analytical and curious mind, and ability to function well in a fast paced environment, and extraordinary attention to detail. Film Festival experience is a plus.
Key Responsibilities:
Corporate Sponsorship and Donor Strategy:
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Assist in developing and executing a joint corporate sponsorship program for The Music Hall and NHFF to meet or exceed annual fundraising goals.
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Research, identify, solicit, and secure new sponsors, individual donors, and foundations, with a focus on businesses that align with NHFF, and special projects.
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Collaborate with senior leadership to create strategic sponsorship opportunities tailored to both The Music Hall’s year-round programming and NHFF’s signature annual event.
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Support contract employee in securing sales for NHFF Program, facilitating sponsor participation and stewarding Program participants.
Relationship Management:
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Cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with existing and potential sponsors and individual donors, ensuring a high level of partner engagement and satisfaction, through regular communication including phone calls, emails, newsletters, and in-person meetings.
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Serve as the primary liaison for corporate and individual sponsors of NHFF and special projects, ensuring fulfillment of all benefits, including branding, event tickets, on-site visibility, and digital promotions.
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Build and maintain strong working relationships with sponsors before, during, and after the NHFF and special projects to ensure renewal and long-term partnerships.
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Work with the Development team to implement new individual giving programs for NHFF inclusive of membership programs and annual fund support.
Proposal Development, Donor Solicitation & Benefit Fulfillment:
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Create compelling sponsorship proposals and customized packages that appeal to the unique goals of corporate partners for NHFF and special Music Hall projects, including written proposals to corporate foundations.
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Coordinate with marketing, events, and programming teams to ensure accurate and timely delivery of sponsor benefits, including logo/text recognition, promotional materials, and public acknowledgments.
Communication:
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Assist in developing creative content for sponsor communications, including newsletters, website updates, and social media posts.
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Create compelling annual appeals for NHFF membership and annual fund campaigns, managing the solicitation, acknowledgement and the fulfillment of benefits in a timely fashion.
Event Coordination & Participation:
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Work closely with event staff to ensure sponsor integration into The Music Hall’s events and NHFF’s multi-day festival, including sponsor signage, VIP lounges, and activation opportunities.
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Oversee sponsor receptions, networking events, and special gatherings throughout the year, ensuring a high-quality experience for sponsors.
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Serve as Development team lead on special projects, in collaboration with Deputy Director of Development.
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Regularly attend Music Hall events to cultivate new donors and maintain relationships with current supporters.
Reporting & Analytics:
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Track and manage sponsorship data, including commitments, payments, benefits fulfillment, and renewal schedules, using donor database systems.
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Prepare regular reports on sponsorship performance for both organizations, including metrics on sponsor visibility, engagement, and ROI, identifying trends and opportunities for improvement.
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Monitor progress toward revenue goals and assist in preparing regular updates for the Deputy Director of Development, Director of Institutional Giving, and leadership team.
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Present at Board Development Committee meetings three times per year.
Qualifications:
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Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, arts management, or a related field.
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2+ years of experience in corporate sponsorship, fundraising, or sales, preferably in a non-profit or arts environment.
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Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to build and maintain relationships with corporate partners.
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Excellent project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities and deadlines across two organizations.
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Proficiency in CRM software (e.g., Tessitura, Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce) is a plus.
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A passion for the arts and commitment to the missions of The Music Hall and NHFF.
Preferred Qualifications:
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Experience working with high-level corporate donors or sponsors.
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Familiarity with the Portsmouth business community and broader New Hampshire region.
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Experience working in event coordination or planning for large-scale events.
Work Environment:
Primarily Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm, in-person (with remote opportunities) in downtown Portsmouth, NH office with flexibility to work certain nights, weekends, and holidays based on the event schedule.
Compensation & Benefits:
The Music Hall offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, paid time off, and professional development opportunities. The salary range for this position is $46,000-$54,000.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and three references to Ilysse Sirmaian at isirmaian@themusichall.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
ABOUT THE MUSIC HALL
The Music Hall, established in 1878 as a Vaudeville theater, has become a cornerstone of Portsmouth’s vibrant arts scene. Over nearly 150 years, it has evolved into a premier performing arts center, featuring two distinct venues: the landmark Victorian-era Historic Theater, designated an American Treasure by the National Park Service, and the modern Music Hall Lounge, an intimate 116-seat cabaret-style space. Together, they host over 130,000 patrons annually, offering a diverse array of live performances and on-screen programming that foster creativity and community.
In 2024, The Music Hall expanded its cultural offerings by taking over the New Hampshire Film Festival (NHFF), the state’s longest-running film festival, which attracts thousands of visitors each fall with independent films, panels, and networking events. That same year, it opened a new Members Club with McKeon’s Bar and the Box Office & Ticketing Hub, housed in the historic Kearsarge House on Congress Street. This exclusive speakeasy-style club allows members and sponsors direct access to the Historic Theater.
Since 1987, The Friends of The Music Hall, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, have upheld its mission: to present diverse, high-quality arts programming as a vital cultural hub for the Seacoast community. Today, The Music Hall continues to enrich Portsmouth’s cultural fabric with world-class entertainment.
Our Vision
To enrich, entertain, and inspire all through world-renowned and community-based programming in our beloved gathering spaces.
Our Mission
The Music Hall invigorates audiences, nurtures healthy communities, and drives economic vitality in the region, stewarding our Historic Theater and delivering high-quality entertainment, lifelong learning, and shared experiences in our venues.
