Director of Individual Giving – Columbus Symphony Orchestra

The Organization The Columbus Symphony has served as central Ohios flagship music organization since 1951 Our musicians conductors chorus and world renowned guest artists enrich the central Ohio community through extraordinary talent passion dedication and the highest standards of musicianship Guided by the artistic vision of Music Director Rossen Milanov the Columbus Symphony offers four programming brands Masterworks Pops Picnic with the Pops and EducationCommunity Engagement This segmented approach innovative within the American orchestra industry is helping the Columbus Symphony to reach new younger and more diverse audiences The Opportunity Are you inspired by the power of music to connect and transform communities Do you thrive on building lasting donor relationships and matching philanthropists passions with organizational priorities Are you energized by leading annual giving strategies and fundraising in a dynamic growing arts organization If so the Columbus Symphony invites you to bring your fundraising expertise and passion for the arts to help secure the Symphonys future Primary Function The Director of Individual Giving a member of the Columbus Symphonys Development team reporting to the Chief Development Officer is responsible for designing and executing strategies to secure philanthropic support from individuals This includes leading annual giving programs cultivating and soliciting major donors 5000 and stewarding meaningful donor relationships The Director ensures a seamless pipeline from annual support to major giving advancing the Symphonys mission to engage inspire and serve central Ohio Duties Responsibilities and Key Performance Objectives First Month Learn the existing annual giving programs and donor portfolios Meet with supervisor Development staff marketingcommunications colleagues Board leaders and others to understand interactions with this role Document and share observations and suggestions with supervisor First 36 Months Annual Giving Leadership Oversee direct mail digital campaigns donor circles and special appeals Measures of Success Growth in participation retention and average gift size eg 5 10 increase in donor renewal rate 5 15 lift in average gift size Major Gift Fundraising Begin managing a personal portfolio of donors at the 5000 level Partner with the CDO CEO on donor strategies Measures of Success Secure at least 20 25 donor meetings and 250 500k in verbal commitments by month 6 Stewardship & Donor Engagement Implement timely and meaningful stewardship strategies Participate in cultivation events and donor experiences with musicians and artistic leadership Measures of Success Maintain accurate donor data in CRM with 100 completion of required contact reports First Year Launch innovative donor engagement strategies that deepen loyalty Achieve annual giving revenue goals and secure a defined number of new or upgraded major donors Collaborate across the organization to align donor engagement with performances education programs and community impact initiatives Measures of Success Year over year growth in Individual and major gift revenue Other Duties Promote best practices in donor relations and fundraising across the Symphony Attend concerts events and donor gatherings as required including evenings and weekends Represent the Columbus Symphony with professionalism and passion in the community This job description is not designed to cover or contain an exhaustive listing of duties responsibilities and key performance objectives that are expected of the employee These items may change or new job related items may be assigned from time to time Knowledge Skills and Abilities Excellent verbal and written communication skills Strong interpersonal skills and ability to inspire trust and confidence with diverse donors Proven strategic planning and problem solving abilities Proficiency with donor management software Tessitura Raisers Edge Salesforce etc and Microsoft Office Suite Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines Knowledge of and passion for the performing arts strongly preferred Flexibility to work evenings and weekends for performances events and donor engagement Credentials and Experience Bachelors degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degree or CFRE preferred Typically a minimum of 5 years of progressive fundraising experience with proven success in annual and major gifts is needed to have sufficient experience to be successful in an organization of this size and complexity Demonstrated success in cultivating soliciting and stewarding individual donors Special Requirements Requires flexibility with schedule to accommodate needs of the organization Successful evaluation of a background check The majority of CSOs fundraising and public events take place in the evenings and on weekends This position requires availability to work evenings and weekends as necessary Must have reliable transportation for off site meetings CSOs EEO Statement The Columbus Symphony Orchestra CSO is an Equal Opportunity Employer CSO does not discriminate in its employment decisions on the basis of race religion color national origin sex pregnancy lactation status gender identity or expression sexual orientation age disability veteran or military status genetic information or any other protected status