Director of Advancement, Nonprofit performing arts

ABOUT SYMPHONY SPACE

Symphony Space is a multidisciplinary performing arts center where bold programming, presented in a uniquely warm and welcoming environment, forges indelible relationships between artists and audiences. Our fundamental mission is to connect art, ideas, and community through our programs and our commitment to literacy and education through the arts. On our New York City stages, through our national broadcasts, and in the classrooms and communities we serve throughout the country, we foster access to the arts through all the disciplines. Our embrace of the audience and the arts is wide, and the experience of our patrons is deep and enriched.

Symphony Space has arrived at a pivotal moment in its 46-year history and is launching an ambitious campaign that will strengthen the foundation, secure the future, and usher Symphony Space into a new era. An era where the vibrancy, excitement, and originality of our programming will be seen and felt throughout the entire building, and the building itself will serve as an invitation to all to come explore, engage, and stay awhile.

Symphony Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversifying our workforce extends to all who join us in creating and presenting art. We strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. To learn more about Symphony Space’s mission, vision, values, and programs, please visit symphonyspace.org.

ABOUT THE POSITION
As we embark on this transformative journey, Symphony Space is actively seeking to build capacity and hire a Director of Advancement. A newly created role, the Director of Advancement will play a crucial part in spearheading our campaign efforts, building robust relationships with key stakeholders, and ensuring the successful realization of our goals. As such, we seek a creative, dynamic, and highly motivated Director of Advancement to develop and lead all aspects of our $45 million fundraising campaign. With a seasoned professional leading our advancement initiatives, we will harness our current momentum to secure vital resources, expand our reach, and solidify Symphony Space's legacy for future generations.

In partnership with the Executive Director and Board of Directors, the Director of Advancement will be a key member of Symphony Space’s senior leadership team. The primary focus of the Director of Advancement will initially be the capital campaign, working closely with our team of external fundraising consultants, senior leadership, and Board. Concurrently, the Director of Advancement will collaborate with the development department to design a strategic vision for a multi-channel fundraising program that identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards individual and institutional donors, and strengthens our annual fundraising program. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities of the Director of Advancement include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Strategy & Leadership
  • Serving as a member of the leadership team, contribute to the growth of Symphony Space in accordance with its mission, vision, and values
  • Overseeing the organization’s $45 million campaign for the institution’s building, endowment, reserves, and program innovation
  • Crafting a strategic annual fundraising plan with diverse revenue streams from individuals, foundations, corporations, and planned giving 
  • Building a robust pipeline of board prospects in collaboration with the Executive Director, Board Chair, and Nominating & Governance Committee Chair

• Fundraising
  • Securing major gifts for both campaign support and annual giving
  • Steering a robust pipeline of donors at all points of the donor experience cycle
  • Articulating and meeting monthly and annual goals for dollars raised, donor contacts, and visits
  • Supervising the institutional giving strategy with a focus on grant proposals and reports that are timely, accurate and compelling
  • Overseeing the fundraising event strategy that cultivates and engages donors and supporters
  • Working in close collaboration with the Executive Director and Senior Director of Strategy & Engagement to craft inspiring fundraising campaigns, collateral, proposals, appeals, and stewardship events and materials
  • Providing exceptional donor engagement to Symphony Space patrons at events, performances, and programming 

• Team Building
  • Guiding the development team in elevating cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship practices across all fundraising activities
  • Steering the development department budget and assessing ongoing progress towards departmental and organizational objectives to achieve successful outcomes
  • Committing to the personal and professional growth of development staff members through mentorship and the strategic deployment of personal and professional goals

QUALIFICATIONS

A successful Director of Advancement will have:

• A minimum of 10 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with demonstrated job advancement
• A deep understanding of and connections to the arts and culture philanthropic community in New York City and nationally
• Experience fundraising for a major capital campaign
• A proven track record of setting, achieving, and exceeding fundraising goals
• A strong background in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts from individual, corporate, and foundational donors
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to relate to Board members, patrons, artists, and fellow Symphony Space staff members
• An ability to represent Symphony Space positively to patrons, external stakeholders, and the public at large
• An ability to think strategically, work collaboratively, and communicate plans and ideas clearly and effectively
• Deep knowledge of fundraising tools, including CRM, Microsoft Office software, Zoom, email marketing platforms, and mailing strategies
• A commitment to and passion for the arts

SALARY/POSITION TYPE

$175,000-$200,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Full-time, FLSA exempt. We offer a benefits package that includes health insurance, life and long term
disability insurance, flexible spending plan (FSA), annuity plan, and three weeks of vacation time.

TO APPLY

Please send your resume and a cover letter outlining your vision for fresh perspective, creative strategy, and energy for fundraising to support one of New York City’s premier performing arts centers to search@symphonyspace.org.