Associate Director – DevelopmentDrama Schools Foundation Mumbai (DSFM) Location: Mumbai | Full-time

Reports to: Founder & Director of Strategy & Vision

Growth Path: Intended progression to Head of Development over approximately two years The Role DSFM is looking for an ambitious Development professional who is ready to move from being a strong manager or senior operator to eventually leading the organisation’s fundraising function.

Fundraising is currently led by the Founder alongside his role as Director of Strategy & Vision.

Over the next two years, the Associate Director – Development will work closely with the Founder to understand DSFM’s existing donor relationships, systems and fundraising strategy; strengthen and improve them; assume increasing responsibility for the function; and ultimately transition into leadership of Development.

We are looking for someone who has already built substantial professional experience in the arts and culture sector and is now ready for significantly greater ownership.

Key Responsibilities The Associate Director – Development will progressively take responsibility for:

- Fundraising strategy and annual targets
- Donor pipeline and CRM
- Major donor cultivation
- Foundations and trusts
- Corporate partnerships and CSR
- Individual giving
- Scholarship fundraising
- Existing donor renewals
- Prospect research and prioritisation
- Proposals and donor presentations
- Donor reporting and stewardship
- Fundraising campaigns
- Revenue forecasting
- Development systems and processes
- Coordination with Finance, Communications and programme teams
- Building and eventually leading the Development team

Role DevelopmentYear 1 The Associate Director – Development will work closely with the Founder to:
- understand existing donors and relationships;
- learn and strengthen the fundraising systems already in place;
- take ownership of significant parts of the donor pipeline;




- manage donor follow-up, proposals, reporting and stewardship;
- begin independently managing donor relationships;
- strengthen prospecting and fundraising strategy.

Year 2 The Associate Director – Development will increasingly:
- lead fundraising strategy;
- manage the overall donor pipeline;
- own key donor relationships;
- lead most fundraising conversations independently;
- manage campaigns and renewals;
- develop new fundraising channels;
- build and manage the Development team.

By the end of this transition, the role is intended to progress to Head of Development, with the Founder focusing primarily on major relationships, transformational asks, strategic partnerships and opening current networks.

Candidate Profile Candidates must have meaningful professional experience in the arts and culture sector.

Relevant backgrounds may include

- Theatre
- Performing Arts
- Cultural Institutions
- Arts Administration
- Arts Philanthropy
- Development and Fundraising
- Partnerships
- Programme Management

The successful candidate should bring:
- strong fundraising, philanthropy, partnerships or development experience;
- meaningful experience within the arts and culture sector;
- excellent written and verbal communication;
- solid relationship-building ability;
- disciplined follow-through;
- strategic thinking combined with strong execution;
- excellent organisational and project-management skills;
- the ability to understand existing systems and improve them;
- comfort working in an evolving organisation;




- the ability to take increasing ownership of complex responsibilities;
- the ambition and capability to build and eventually lead a team and function.

Experience in fundraising or development within an arts or cultural organisation will be strongly preferred.

Executive Presence The role will involve representing DSFM with philanthropists, HNIs, CEOs, trustees, family offices, foundations and senior institutional leaders.

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

- confidence and composure;
- strong judgement;
- professional polish;
- discretion;
- intellectual credibility;
- the ability to communicate effectively with senior stakeholders;
- warmth and relationship-building ability;
- the ability to represent DSFM credibly across artistic, philanthropic and institutional contexts.

About DSFM Drama Schools Foundation Mumbai is a Section 8 non-profit working to strengthen theatre, theatre education and the wider performing-arts ecosystem in India.

Its flagship initiative, Drama School Mumbai, is one of India’s leading institutions for professional theatre training.

Over the coming years, DSFM intends to strengthen and grow DSM, expand scholarship support, develop new programmes, secure a long-term home, build greater financial resilience and develop a wider portfolio of initiatives supporting theatre and artists.

The organisation is now moving from primarily founder-led fundraising to a professional Development function capable of supporting this growth.

Remuneration ₹18–24 lakh per annum, depending on experience and capability.

The package may include a fixed component and a performance-linked component based on agreed fundraising and Development outcomes.

As the role progresses toward Head of Development, responsibility, team leadership and remuneration are expected to grow accordingly.

📌 Associate Director of Development and Fundraising (Mumbai)
🏢 Drama Schools Foundation Mumbai
📍 Mumbai