Director of Development

Position: Director of Development

Location: Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, Annapolis, MD

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Job Summary:

The Director of Development’s primary responsibility is leading annual operating, special campaigns, and planned giving. This key leadership position is instrumental in achieving the success to make the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra a model of a 21st-century orchestra. The position reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and collaborates regularly with the Development Committee of the ASO Board of Trustees.

Main Responsibilities:

Fundraising Strategy and Execution:

• Create, oversee, and manage the ASO’s fundraising strategy in collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer, ASO staff, and the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees.
• Serve as the ASO’s fundraising subject matter expert for donor relations, individual/corporate sponsorships, and planned giving.
• Create annual fundraising plans, goals, and budgets in support of ASO programming.
• Execute daily strategies and processes to achieve/maximize the fundraising goals each
• fiscal year.

Partnership and Collaboration

• Proactively engage with donors and prospective donors to develop and sustain favorable
• relationships for the advancement of the ASO.
• Work with the ASO CEO to develop and implement capital, comprehensive, and planned
• giving campaigns.
• Serve as the staff liaison to the Development Committee to create synergies to execute
• and achieve the fundraising program. The Development Committee serves a supporting
• role to the Development Director.
• Work with other program staff on organization funding priorities, including but not
• limited to Marketing & Communications to ensure a coordinated approach to patron
• communication, the Grants Coordinator on grant programs, and increasing relations
• between musicians and donors with the Director of Artistic Operations.
• Serve as the staff liaison to the Friends of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, ASO
• Alumni committee, and other prospective donor groups.
• Train and support staff, volunteers, and trustees on annual fund raising and other
• campaigns or events.

Fundraising Program Management

• Creates an annual fundraising plan to support ASO operations, including but not limited
• to overseeing and implementing the end-of-year appeal, subscription renewal campaign
• donations, musician sponsorship program, and other annual support goals and activities.
• Maintains a portfolio of donors and prospects, stewarding them through the fundraising
• cycle of identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Develops individual giving strategies, including timelines and proposals, to solicit and
• close gifts.
• Develops, monitors, evaluates, and reports on program performance utilizing metrics,
• industry trends, and best practices.
• Develops, monitors, and manages expense and revenue budgets pertaining to
• Development activities.
• Manage the timely and effective delivery of benefits to donors at all levels.
• Creates a calendar of donor communications in concert with the Chief Executive Officer
• and the Director of Marketing & Communications, including regular updates, annual
• fund appeal strategy, annual reports, and other communications.
• Provide facts, data, and metrics for the annual report of the ASO in collaboration with the
• CEO, staff, and Board.
• Oversight for major donor events, such as but not limited to Music at Midmorning, Dress
• Rehearsals, Crescendo Club, Opening Night, Musician Sponsorship Dinner, and Annual
• Donor Events and others.
• Ensures proper and timely data input and management of the ASO’s constituent
• relationship manager database (Patron Manager) and works with ASO leadership and
• staff to evaluate and determine database needs.

Professional Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in development, with a proven record of
• accomplishment of successful fundraising, preferably in the arts or non-profit sector.
• Strong management skills, critical thinking, business acumen, and meticulous attention to
• detail.
• Demonstrated success in major gift solicitation and donor cultivation.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build
• relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple projects and
• deadlines.
• Proficiency in fundraising software and donor management systems.
• Passion for the arts and commitment to the mission of the Annapolis Symphony
• Orchestra.

Additional Qualifications:

• Strategic Thinking and Relationship Building: Demonstrates strategic thinking,
• effective relationship-building skills, collaboration, business acumen, and meticulous
• attention to detail.
• Alignment with Mission and Vision: Ensures development systems, organizational
• culture, and practices are in line with ASO’s mission, vision, and guiding principles.
• Inclusive Environment: Fosters an inclusive working environment that supports diverse
• populations.
• Effective Communication: Communicates effectively with individuals from diverse
• backgrounds and experiences.
• Supportive Feedback: Provides and receives supportive feedback to promote equity and
• inclusion in working relationships.
• Strength Recognition: Recognizes, nurtures, and learns from the strengths of co-
• workers.
• Work Environment Flexibility: Demonstrates flexibility in accomplishing job
• responsibilities in various work environments, including home, on the road, or in an
• office.
• Tax Law Knowledge: Possesses working knowledge of tax laws related to charitable
• contributions of cash, property, and securities, with planned giving experience being a
• plus.
• Patron Manager Software: Familiarity with Patron Manager Software is a plus.

Additional Information:

• Expected work hours are typically 40 per week with flexibility for evening and additional
• weekend events crucial to achieving development goals.
• Compliance with standard ASO workplace policies with allowances for specific donor-
• related needs.

Salary & Benefits:

This salary range for this position is $70,000-$85,000 commensurate with related experience. Potential for bonus pay based on achievement of specified fundraising goals. ASO offers competitive benefits including health insurance, life insurance, PTO, paid holidays, parental leave, and a hybrid work environment.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter detailing their qualifications and a current

resume to HR@annapolissymphony.org. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and

continue until the appropriate candidate is selected. No phone calls, please.

ASO is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. All qualified

applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion,

gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age,

or veteran status.