ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Campaign Management &Fundraising Strategy
- Direct the multi-year strategic fundraising plan for the $9M comprehensive legacy campaign.
- Develop and implement strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward new major gift
donors.
- Engage with Executive staff, Board members, and Legacy Committee volunteers to solicit
individual gifts through in-person visits, phone calls, and written correspondence for the
Campaign, Annual Fund, and special projects.
- Oversee and support institutional fundraising efforts, including grants and corporate
sponsorships, ensuring alignment with the overall campaign strategy.
- Develop and implement a planned giving strategy to grow the Symphony’s endowment through
legacy gifts and bequests.
- Oversee and support the planning of major fundraising events and donor cultivation activities,
ensuring alignment with campaign goals.
- Use data analysis and donor research to inform fundraising strategies, monitor trends, and
identify new giving opportunities.
- This position will work with organizational leadership to grow Oakland Symphony's annual
philanthropic revenue to $3M+. Donor Relations & Stewardship
- Implement, coordinate, and evaluate stewardship activities, including solicitation schedules,
donor recognition, and benefits.
- Develop a streamlined donor communications plan to enhance engagement and retention.
- Serve as a visible and engaged public representative of the Oakland Symphony, building and
nurturing relationships with donors and the community.
- Attend Oakland Symphony concerts and events, hosting donors and prospects to strengthen
relationships and cultivate new supporters. Team Leadership & Oversight
- Supervise and lead two direct reports, providing guidance and ensuring effective project
management.
- Hire and on board a newly created Institutional Giving Manager role who will be responsible for
developing and managing a comprehensive institutional giving strategy, including identifying,
cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships with foundations, corporations, and
government agencies to secure significant grants and sponsorships in support of the
organization's mission.
- Oversee the work of the Development Specialist who supports donor communications,
stewardship, events, gift processing, and database management. Budgeting & Performance Tracking
- Develop and manage contributed revenue and expense budgets for fundraising efforts.
- Manage systems and reports across all development categories to track performance against
goals, assess annual projections, and improve donor retention.
- Focus on increasing donor giving, re-engaging lapsed donors, acquiring new donors, and
maximizing overall donor retention. Cross-Department Collaboration
- Collaborate with marketing and PR teams to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with
organizational timelines. QUALIFICATIONS
- 6+years of experience as a fundraising professional, including 3+ years in a leadership role.
- Demonstrated expertise in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donor relationships.
- Proven success in cultivating prospects, making in-person asks, and securing 5- and 6-figure gifts,
including planned gifts, endowments, and major gifts for special initiatives.
- Track record of effectively managing all aspects of the Annual Fund, including Board giving, major
gifts, broad-based (direct response) giving, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, and
government funding.
- Exceptional written, verbal, organizational, and management skills.
- Experience in budget development and management, including income projections and expense
tracking.
- Previous experience working with volunteers to support fundraising initiatives.
- Strong leadership and management abilities that inspire and motivate teams.
- Excellent social and interpersonal skills to build strong internal and external relationships.
- Experience in performing arts organizations is a plus.
- Familiarity with Salesforce/Patron Manager or similar CRM software is an advantage.
- Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends as required. ATTRIBUTES
- Dynamic visionary with exceptional interpersonal and problem-solving skills;
- Flexible, focused, organized, and analytical problem solver
- Attention to detail, adherence to deadlines and ability to prioritize.
- People person and team player.
- Sense of humor.
- Learner who seeks to improve personally and professionally.
SALARY AND BENEFITS
Annual salary between $125,000-$135,000. Oakland Symphony offers generous vacation/benefits
packages. Oakland Symphony is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks diversity in
staffing. To Apply: Please submit your resume with a cover letter to Dr. Mieko Hatano, CEO, at
jobs@oaklandsymphony.org |