
FOUNDATION ASSOCIATE
DEPARTMENT: SDC Foundation
SUPERVISOR: Foundation Director
CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time
ABOUT STAGE DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS FOUNDATION
The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) seeks a dynamic and knowledgeable arts professional to support programs and administrative operations that enable the organization to contribute meaningfully to the future of the American theatre. As the nonprofit, charitable affiliate of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), the Foundation is dedicated to fostering the craft, careers, and community of directors and choreographers across the country.
MISSION
SDCF celebrates, develops, and supports professional Stage Directors and Choreographers throughout every phase of their careers. We work to build a collaborative and vibrant theatrical community by creating opportunities for artists of all background to bring their full, authentic selves to their work as creative leaders in the theatre.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Foundation Associate serves as the primary operational anchor of the SDC Foundation, managing frontline customer service, systems, and communications. As a key brand ambassador, this role understands that every interaction—whether a conversation, an operational workflow, a marketing touchpoint, or an administrative task—shapes our community culture, organizational standards, and overall brand visibility.
Working as part of a two‑person team, the ideal candidate is a dynamic, multi‑talented professional who provides essential administrative, customer service, and operational support to the Foundation Director. This individual is adept at navigating digital workflows, including donor development software, website and database management, email platforms, and Asana calendars. They are comfortable balancing a wide range of responsibilities—from program‑related errands and scheduling committee meetings, to coordinating event logistics, processing check requests, and preparing monthly donor acknowledgment letters. The Foundation Associate thrives in a fast‑paced, mission‑driven environment and brings both precision and heart to the work of advancing the Foundation’s impact.
WHY WORK FOR SDCF?
Working for the SDC Foundation means becoming part of a mission‑driven organization at the center of the national theatre ecosystem. As a member of our small, collaborative team, you gain direct access to the full community of directors and choreographers who are actively shaping the artistic landscape — a rare opportunity in the nonprofit arts sector. Your work supports both emerging and established creative leaders, giving you a front‑row seat to the ideas, conversations, and innovations driving American theatre forward. SDCF offers a people‑focused, creatively engaged environment where your contributions are visible, your ideas matter, and your daily efforts help build a more equitable and vibrant future for the field.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
COMMUNICATIONS AND COSTUMER SERVICE | 35% (15% general admin, 20% programmatic support)
- Day‑to‑Day Correspondence — Draft public‑facing communications with flawless grammar, a professional tone, and precise formatting that reflects SDCF’s brand. Serve as the first point of contact for general phone and email inquiries.
- Digital Communications — Manage email communications through MyEmma, including event announcements, monthly newsletters, awardee and fellow spotlights, and other community updates.
- Social Media — Oversee Facebook and Instagram activity, maintain Linktree connections, draft copy, format imagery, and use scheduling tools to ensure a consistent presence across SDCF channels. Must be comfortable using Canva to design posts, stories, and reels.
- Hospitality & Front‑Facing Support — Welcome visitors, community partners, and donors; coordinate guest arrivals and room setups; and maintain a polished, professional office environment.
- Technology & Systems Support — Maintain proficiency across SDCF’s digital tools, including donor databases, email platforms, website CMS updates, Asana or project‑management tools, Zoom, and shared drives. Troubleshoot basic issues and support staff in maintaining organized, efficient digital workflows.
- Website—provide basic website copy and image updates on WordPress platform.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT | 45% of workload (15% general admin, 30% programmatic admin)
- Calendar Management — Create and manage the institutional calendar, including programming dates, deadlines, Board and committee meetings, grant cycles, EOY campaigns, gala planning, and more.
- Meeting Coordination — Schedule monthly Board, committee, and ad hoc meetings; collect availability using tools such as Doodle or surveys; and transcribe minutes for committees and Board meetings.
- Financial Operations — Formulate, track, and process internal check requests for Foundation initiatives and program stipends. Administer and track honoraria for guest speakers, panelists, and collaborators.
- Meeting & Event Preparation — Prepare agendas, set up conference rooms, arrange tables and chairs, ensure AV functionality, and clean up post‑meeting. Schedule Zoom sessions and run errands related to event coordination, award celebrations, and on‑site programming.
- Surveys & Application Management — Build and deploy qualitative and quantitative surveys, program applications, and nomination forms. Collect and analyze participant feedback and engagement data to support institutional growth.
- Project Coordination — Support the Foundation Director in tracking deadlines, monitoring project progress, updating Asana boards, and ensuring smooth communication across internal and external collaborators.
DONOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION | 20% of workload (15% general admin)
- eTapestry Data Entry — Log incoming donations, process gifts, update donor contact information, track stewardship activity, and maintain accurate CRM profiles. Experience with Blackbaud or eTapestry is a plus.
- Stewardship Administration — Generate customized donor thank‑you letters, manage mail merges, track mailing dates, and flag milestone anniversaries for review. Record donor touchpoints to preserve institutional memory.
- Document Management — Maintain secure physical and digital filing systems for donation receipts, pledge agreements, and acknowledgment letters.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Technical Proficiency — Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, Facebook, Twitter, and Hootsuite. Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress, and Slideroom is a plus.
- Professional Qualities — Demonstrates integrity, credibility, initiative, and strategic thinking in all aspects of work.
- Interpersonal & Communication Skills — Exceptional interpersonal abilities and a collaborative style; able to communicate effectively with staff, Board members, SDC Members and Associates, and all individuals connected to the SDCF community.
- Project & Time Management — Proven ability to multi‑task, manage projects independently, prioritize competing deadlines, and work efficiently within time constraints.
- Work Ethic & Organization — Highly organized, detail‑oriented, punctual, fast‑paced, and proactive, with a strong commitment to producing high‑quality work.
- Administrative & Digital Adaptability — Administratively strong and comfortable learning new technology platforms quickly; able to adapt to evolving systems and digital workflows.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s Degree — Bachelor’s degree in Arts Administration, Nonprofit Management, Communications, Business, Theatre, or a related field; equivalent professional experience will be considered.
- Administrative Experience — 2–3 years of administrative, program coordination, customer service, or office management experience, ideally within a nonprofit, arts organization, or mission‑driven environment.
- Communications & Social Media Experience — Experience drafting public‑facing communications, managing social media platforms, and working within email marketing tools or CMS systems.
- Database & Digital Tools Experience — Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Blackbaud/eTapestry), project‑management tools, and digital workflow platforms; comfort learning new systems quickly.
Event or Program Support Experience — Experience supporting events, meetings, or program logistics, including scheduling, hospitality, and basic AV/Zoom setup.
The position is full-time and requires that the employee be physically present in the workplace with the occasional weekend and evening hours. SDCF is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment.
SALARY: $50,000-$60,000 with annual raise opportunity
Benefits:
- Full Benefits Package — Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus a 401(k)-retirement plan with employer contribution options.
- Paid Time Off — 10 accrued PTO days, accrued personal days, plus paid holidays aligned with the SDCF office calendar.
- Access to the Artistic Community — Direct engagement with directors, choreographers, and industry leaders shaping the national theatre landscape.
- Professional Development — Opportunities for training, workshops, conferences, and continued learning within the arts and nonprofit sectors.
HOW TO APPLY
To be considered, please email a cover letter and resume with references in PDF format to jobs@SDCFoundation.org, using “Foundation Associate Application” in the subject line. Application received by July 15 will receive priority. References will be held in confidence until later in the hiring process.