Centrally located in downtown's 61-acre Symphony Park scheduled to open in early 2012, The Smith Center will create vibrancy, acting as a dynamic economic engine, adding new jobs to the market, and while stimulating and expanding the local economy. Plans for the world-class performing arts center include a 2,050-seat multipurpose main hall and an education building that will house a 300-seat cabaret theater with a stage facing onto Symphony Park; a 200-seat flexible studio theater for rehearsals, children's theater and community events; as well as offices and classrooms. The $470 million project also includes a $45 million endowment and plans for the construction of an additional cultural facility on the campus.

The complex will be visually striking, timeless, majestic, and built to last for many generations. Inspired by many styles of architecture including Art Deco, The Smith Center will have smooth masculine lines that are rich in detail and will feature a carillon bell tower topped with a stainless steel silver crown. All buildings will be made of limestone like many of the great and ageless opera houses and concert halls. Smart choices are being made throughout the design of the facility, including proper building orientation, energy efficient windows and natural lighting wherever possible. The Smith Center is striving to become the first major performing arts center to be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

Upon completion, The Smith Center will place Las Vegas on the world stage for the performing arts by attracting world-class artists, diverse productions, and a highly-skilled workforce. It will also bring together the entire indigenous community, fostering children's talent and allowing creative ability to soar to new heights, while celebrating cultures from around the world. The Smith Center will offer a blend of performances by its own arts groups as well as first-run touring attractions. It will feature music, theatre, and dance companies from all over the world, and will be home to the Las Vegas Philharmonic and Nevada Ballet Theatre.

Crucial groundwork has already been laid with a unique public-private partnership. The City of Las Vegas has provided the land, infrastructure, and parking for the facility. In addition, the City of Las Vegas, Clark County, and State Legislature collaborated on a car rental fee which resulted in a $105 million bond. The Smith Center's private funding campaign was launched by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation with a landmark gift of a $50 million endowment in 2005, in honor of their chairman, Fred W. Smith, and his wife, Mary. Since then, The Reynolds Foundation has continued their generosity, pledging an additional $100 million gift. This gift is the largest philanthropic donation in state history, and combined with their initial contribution, is the second largest donation to the performing arts in the United States. In addition, more than 30 families, companies and foundations have pledged $1 million or more to the Center and serve as the Founders of this extraordinary enterprise.

The Center has achieved many successes since its inception and has raised over 90% of its total funding requirements, including 100% of the funding required to build the Center. But with over $45 million in capital funds needed plus regular annual operating funds, there is still much to be accomplished. But with generosity and commitment of its founding donors, board, and staff, The Center will create a human infrastructure that brings the glory of the arts to generations of Las Vegans. The Smith Center for the Performing Arts looks forward to a triumphant opening in 2012 when thousands will celebrate an organization that will inspire, educate, and enrich the community for generations to come.

THE COMMUNITY
Las Vegas natives and long-term residents often start stories with the phrase, "I remember when this was just a dirt road." It is true that Las Vegas' burgeoning growth and expansion has rapidly turned bare desert earth into flourishing neighborhoods and communities. While many Las Vegas newcomers are awed by the nightlife and world of entertainment options, they are even more delighted with the myriad of cultural, outdoor, and housing options available citywide. Whether looking for rural seclusion, a lush, private master-planned community, or high-rise living on the Las Vegas Strip, the community offers endless options.

Clark County contains Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas, the three largest cities in Southern Nevada. Clark County's population based on the most recent U.S. Census figures indicates we have reached nearly two million residents.

Las Vegas is known as the entertainment capital of the world and in recent decades has garnered accolades for its fast-growing population, entrepreneurial atmosphere, unlimited housing and vast employment options. Las Vegas continues to diversify its non-gaming industry base and is becoming a notable education and research focal point.

Henderson has been consistently measured as one of the fastest growing communities in the nation with a population of just over 250,000 and located just south of Las Vegas. Henderson is known for integrating parks and recreation into their master plan, making it an extremely livable city.

North Las Vegas is the third fastest-growing city in the nation with a population exceeding 200,000, and it is vibrant and independent city. A proactive city government has led the way in creating a technology hub in the area. The city is home to the bulk of Southern Nevada's manufacturing facilities.

Located in the southeastern part of the valley, 25 miles from downtown Las Vegas and 10 miles outside of Henderson, lies Boulder City, home of the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This small community preserves the charm of small-town U.S.A. just minutes from the one of the most exciting cities in the world. Controlled growth and thoughtful planning make Boulder City an ideal choice for those seeking a hometown atmosphere.

Source: lvchamber.com

THE POSITION
The Vice President of Development will report to the President and CEO and will be a part of a very seasoned senior management team at The Smith Center. The Vice President of Development will play an important and critical role in spearheading the public phase of the capital campaign meeting and cultivating donors, and planning development and contributed revenue strategies that support The Smith Center's grand opening and beyond. The position plans, implements, and evaluates development strategies and activities and works with board members, senior management, staff members, and volunteers to ensure successful contributed revenue efforts. The Vice President of Development will be responsible for organizing all individual, corporate, foundation, and government funding efforts related to the campaign and will lay the groundwork for donor efforts focused on sustainable operating support.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Vice President of Development will work collaboratively with The Smith Center team to advance its mission and goals while supporting its core values. Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Maximizing Contributed Revenue:
· Serves as the principal fundraising strategist and development officer for The Smith Center in close coordination with the President, Executive Team, and Board of Directors and prepares departmental strategic plans with short- and long-range goals to meet The Smith Center's funding objectives.
· Creates and manages a program for the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of existing and prospective individual, business, foundation and other major donors.
· Advises, prepares, and supports the President and CEO and Board Members in fundraising to maximize the effectiveness of The Smith Center's major gift cultivation and community outreach efforts.
· Meets and cultivates donors to increase the Center's contributed revenue opportunities.
· Provides cultivation and solicitation strategy ideas for the most significant major gift prospects, and participates in the final strategy formulation of these activities.
· Leads the effort to identify new and immediate major gift prospects with gift potential of $10,000 or more.
· Guides various projects that introduce new strategic initiatives and capabilities of The Smith Center that enhance development efforts.
· Monitors prospect cultivation and solicitation progress, including reminders, follow-up with campaign leadership, documentation, etc.
· Participates as a development program spokesperson in meetings and other conversations with key constituents, as well as active and potential financial partners.
· Manages a prospect pool and cultivates the prospects in that pool.

Managing the Department:
· Mentors and supervises development staff to support campaigns and fundraising programs.
· Assists the development team in planning and providing prospect research to Board members and capital campaign leadership as they cultivate donors.
· Serves as a senior officer of the organization and participates with other Executive Team members in the general management of the organization.
· Oversees the planning and execution of benefit events such as banquets, balls, or auctions and provides direction and oversight to ensure maximum net financial and institutional results from such efforts.
· Supervises the appropriate use of donor software and databases, ensuring donor privacy, data accuracy and timeliness of reporting.

Planning and Budgeting:
· Establishes development policies, systems, and procedures, with a special emphasis on ethical standards for soliciting and reporting gifts and for exceeding the expectations of individual, corporate, foundation and government donors.
· Creates, monitors, and administers department budget, projecting and monitoring goals for both contributed revenue and department expenses.

TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS
The Smith Center seeks a creative, energetic, and entrepreneurial development professional to provide strategic philanthropic leadership. The successful candidate will demonstrate a well-rounded set of competencies that sets him/her apart from others in the philanthropic field. The successful candidate will be a highly skilled and effective communicator, results-oriented professional, hands-on manager, and natural leader whose creative style results in positive financial impact. Leading candidates will demonstrate success working with a wide range of people and possess superior organizational and communication skills. The selected candidate will have the ability to lead and inspire donors, Board members, volunteers, colleagues and staff to advance The Smith Center's mission and vision. He/she will be savvy and smart with a sense of humor and a commitment to team-based management and the engagement and involvement of volunteer leadership. A desire to work in a fast-paced environment with regular interaction with many stakeholders is needed. The selected candidate will value the effective investment of time and resources in achieving institutional goals. He/she will appreciate artistic, architectural, and aesthetic values while embracing knowledge and intellectual growth of all those associated with The Smith Center.

Additionally, the candidate should demonstrate the following competencies:

· Goal Achievement & Results Orientation - Establishes goals that are relevant, realistic and attainable. Identifies and implements required plans and milestones to achieve specific goals. Stays on target to complete goals and achieves results regardless of obstacles.
· Interpersonal Skills - Initiates and develops relationships in positive ways. Successfully works with a wide range of people at varying levels of the organization. Communicates with others in ways that are clear and considerate. Demonstrates ease in relating to a diverse range of people.
· Donor Focus - Consistently places a high value on donors. Objectively listens to, understands and represents donor feedback, anticipates donor needs and develops appropriate solutions. Meets all promises and commitments made to donors.
· Technological and Analytical Acumen - Demonstrates knowledge of contact management systems, databases, research or other donor relations tools as well as superior skill on the internet and with spreadsheets, donor/relationship software and word processing systems that expand donor relationships.
· Diplomacy, Resiliency, and Visionary Leadership - Displays passion and optimism that inspires respect and trust while providing inspiration to the Board, peers, coworkers, and volunteers with full respect and understanding for their emotional contribution to The Smith Center's success.

EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 10 years of senior development experience and a successful track record in capital campaigns in an arts or cultural organization. A Master's degree and CFRE designation preferred with demonstrated success in guiding institutional strategy, soliciting and securing major gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations and government sources is essential. Excellent writing and editing skills are required, as well as impactful experience as a public speaker and presenter using standard software such as PowerPoint. Exceptional abilities needed in communicating in face-to-face conversations with a single individual, in small groups, and in large gatherings. Fluency in English is required and working knowledge of foreign languages may be helpful but is not required. Knowledge in the use of all components of the Microsoft Office systems, as well as familiarity with the structure and use of development management database systems such as Raisers' Edge and its components is an advantage.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Very competitive compensation and benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, vacation, matching retirement plan, and a quality of life that Las Vegas and The Smith Center provide.

APPLICATIONS AND INQUIRIES
Send letter and resume with demonstrable accomplishments to:

Mr. Bruce D. Thibodeau, President
Arts Consulting Group, Inc.
8581 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 406
Los Angeles, CA 90069-4120
E-mail: TheSmithCenter@artsconsulting.com
Tel (323) 936.0626
Fax (323) 936.1196

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts is an equal opportunity employer.

Contact Information: