Career Center

REPORTS TO: Associate Vice President of Philanthropy, Annual Giving

POSITION SUMMARY: Develop and drive the strategy and implementation of a broad-based annual giving program to grow sustaining philanthropic support for the SLSO. Provide leadership for Friends of Music and Patron’s Circle programs, playing a leadership role in increasing revenue and participation among member/donors contributing at annual gift levels from $75 to $1,999. With staff colleagues and vendor partners plan, execute, and achieve ambitious revenue goals. 

RESPONSIBILTIES:

• Serve as a member of the SLSO’s philanthropy team responsible for management and execution of Friends of Music ($75-749) and Patron’s Circle ($750-1,999) by securing broad-based community support with annual revenue responsibility exceeding $800,000.

• Work as a key leader of the Philanthropy team to execute a multi-channel annual fund plan to secure recurring member contributions including direct mail, phone solicitations, digital and social media, e-solicitations, and on-site sales.

• Provide guidance and support for all member/donor communications, events and stewardship plans.

• Working creatively with data operations colleagues, develop and implement a broad-based solicitation plan to target existing donors and actionable new prospects to meet and exceed revenue goals and increase the number of active member/donor households.

• Guide Friends donors through a structured process of cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.

• Work closely with direct mail and tele funding partners and vendors to support Friends of Music and Patron’s Circle giving and to assess and understand results and response rates.

• Manage revenue and expense budget and track metrics and ROI.

• Coordinate Friends of Music stewardship efforts including volunteer thank you calling program and note writing efforts.

• Coordinate and develop a comprehensive membership fulfillment program, including the creation, distribution, and tracking of member benefits, communications, and recognition materials to ensure timely and engaging experiences for all members.

• Provide event and concert duty as assigned.

• Assist other areas of the philanthropy team as needed.

REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of best practices in annual fundraising campaigns with deep experience in managing direct mail (online and regular mail), tele funding and social media at a scope and scale comparable to the SLSO.  Working knowledge of not-for-profit, volunteer-based development programs, database management, data mining and analytics and event planning. Familiarity with development and office-based software, social media and marketing resources.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of broad-based fundraising experience, preferably in a membership organization, with a focus on annual fund campaigns encompassing all methods of direct marketing.

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, fundraising or related field, or equivalent experience.   

• Experience with the implementation of an annual giving plan, an ability to work proactively with staff colleagues and supervisory experience are all important.  

• Face-to-face solicitation experience is a plus.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office products and experience with fundraising databases preferred.

Skills and Abilities: 

• Demonstrate excellent written, interpersonal and public speaking skills to communicate with internal and external contacts.

• Display the ability to work with, influence, solicit, and close gifts from members and donors.

• Show flexibility and initiative, as well as the ability to achieve independent goals, combined with the skills for thriving in a team environment.

• Ability to analyze and segment data to effectively implement various annual giving appeals.

• Ability to motivate and manage volunteers to support the SLSO’s mission and achieve organizational goals.

• Strong ability to successfully manage multiple projects with close attention to detail and prioritization to meet deadlines.

• High professional and ethical standards for handling confidential information.

• Available to work events that are held during the evenings or weekends as needed.

The SLSO embraces a world in which every life is enriched through the power of music. We are committed to cultivating a culture of inclusion and access where employees can grow and thrive. The collective sum of our employees’ individual differences, experiences, knowledge, self-expression, and talent are represented in our culture, innovative spirit and the SLSO’s achievements. In recruiting for our team, we welcome candidates’ uniqueness in culture, social identities, expression, and viewpoints. The SLSO is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

Celebrated as one of today’s most exciting and enduring orchestras, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest orchestra in the country, marking its 144th year with the 2023/2024 season and its fifth with Stéphane Denève, The Joseph and Emily Rauh Pulitzer Music Director. Widely considered one of the leading American orchestras, the Grammy® Award-winning SLSO maintains its commitment to artistic excellence, educational impact, and community collaborations—all in service to its mission of enriching lives through the power of music. The core of the SLSO’s artistic foundation is its dynamic partnership with Denève, whose energetic musicianship, visionary storytelling, and collaborative spirit have created stronger connections with local and visiting artists, as well as advanced the SLSO’s role as a leader in music education. The SLSO musical family also includes two resident choruses: the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, founded in 1976, performs choral-orchestral music from the Baroque era to today; and the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus, founded in 1994, focuses on the performance and preservation of music from the African diaspora. The St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra,... founded by Conductor Laureate Leonard Slatkin in 1970, is the region’s premiere training orchestra for high school and college students. In March 2023, the SLSO broke ground on a 65,000-square foot expansion and renovation of the orchestra’s home, Powell Hall—the first major renovation project at the historic Grand Center building since it became the SLSO's permanent home in 1968. Led by the internationally acclaimed architecture firm Snøhetta, the project will transform the audience and artistic experience while protecting Powell Hall's historic character and celebrated acoustics, creating a state-of-the art center for community, innovation, and powerful music experiences. While construction is underway, the SLSO will perform throughout the community. The revitalized Powell Hall will open in 2025 to coincide with the building's centennial. An integral part of the vibrant St. Louis community, the SLSO enjoys a long history of robust and enduring artistic collaborations with individuals and organizations locally and around the world. Orchestra musicians share dozens of education and community performances throughout the region each year at medical facilities, places of worship, community centers, and schools. For 20 years, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Live at the Pulitzer series has highlighted today’s leading musical voices through innovative performances in collaboration with, and reaction to the exhibitions at, the Pulitzer Arts Foundation. The SLSO has served as the resident orchestra for Opera Theatre of Saint Louis for more than 45 years. The orchestra also continues to foster new artistic collaborations, including a chamber music collaboration with The Sheldon in 2023/2024, as well as regular partnerships with The Muny, The Big Muddy Dance Company, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and others. Beyond the St. Louis region, the SLSO's impact is realized through Saturday night concert broadcasts on St. Louis Public Radio and Classic 107.3, acclaimed recordings, regular touring activity, and a digital portfolio that includes a robust online education platform with curriculum materials, interactive programs, activities, and learning opportunities for all ages. Since the arrival of Marie-Hélène Bernard as President and CEO in 2015, the SLSO has aligned its mission to make music more accessible, while fostering a culture welcoming to all. Building on its momentum, the SLSO serves as a convener of individuals, creators, and ideas, and is committed to building community through compelling and inclusive musical experiences. As it continues its longstanding focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, and access, the SLSO embraces its strengths as a responsive, nimble organization, while investing in partnerships locally and elevating its presence globally. For more information, visit slso.org.

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