Career Center

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Plano Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is seeking candidates for the position of Director of Development. The Director of Development will manage all fundraising programs for the PSO, creating and executing plans for maximizing contributed revenue. As an integral member of the senior management team, the Director of Development will play an active role as a thought-partner in planning for the organization’s overall advancement and future campaigns.

The Director of Development will take a leadership role both within the organization and externally, interacting frequently with all segments of the Plano and Collin County communities to establish relationships. Demonstrating a high degree of versatility and personal accountability, the Director of Development will focus intensely on achieving fundraising goals. Passion for this mission along with solid management skills and the ability to develop key community and corporate relationships will drive success in the role. The Director of Development is selected by and reports to the Symphony’s President/CEO and works collaboratively with the Board of Directors and all relevant Board Committees, Music Director, Symphony Guild, and PSO staff.

This is a full-time, exempt position with a competitive salary and benefits package. This position requires duties performed in-office 9:00-5:00 pm weekdays. Some nights and weekends are required based on PSO performances and other events.

The PSO maintains offices at 1635 Dorchester Drive in Plano and has programming throughout the year at a variety of venues throughout Plano and surrounding communities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Fundraising:

• Collaborate with the President/CEO, board, staff, and potentially any Development Consultants to develop and implement a Strategic Multi-year Fundraising Program/Plan that employs fundraising best practices to meet and/or exceed PSO’s annual fundraising goals.
• Proactively support the President/CEO and Board to drive fundraising activity and personal engagement with top prospects.
• Maintain a personal portfolio of donors and actively seek out and initiate contact with current, lapsed, and potential donors, including individuals, foundations, and corporate partners.
• Assume the lead role in prospect identification and management, including the creation of strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, with an eye to the evolving demographics of the region and growing the PSO’s donor base annually.
• Represent PSO at donor events, social obligations, community events, and conferences as requested by the President/CEO.

Development Management and Operational Effectiveness:

• Oversee the development department’s programs, including the Annual Fund, community and government grants, corporate sponsorships, giving societies, special events, endowment campaigns, and planned giving programs to reach/exceed the fundraising goals set in the operating budget.
• Organize a department plan of work to achieve annual operating and future campaign goals.
• Oversee the production of all development collateral, including copy and design of donor materials, and work closely with the marketing team to ensure consistent branding and messaging.

Administration and Oversight:

• Prepare and monitor revenue and expense budgets, provide accurate reporting and analysis, and oversee the proper maintenance of donor and prospect records.
• Lead and mentor the development staff in utilizing available data to analyze fundraising results and potential opportunities.
• Develop relationships with all key colleagues and personnel to support annual giving programs, sponsorships, and special events and to create donor stewardship and recognition opportunities.
• Serve as an advisor and liaison to Board committees as designated by the President/CEO.
• Collaborate with the President/CEO and other staff on projects that support ticket sales, visibility, audience development, special events, public relations, volunteers, and marketing.

HOW TO APPLY

For consideration, interested individuals should send a cover letter, resume, and writing samples to hiring@planosymphony.org, using the subject line “Development Director Application.”

Any questions about this position may be directed to hiring@planosymphony.org. If a writing sample is not available, please contact the email address above for an alternative option.

THE PLANO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Plano Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. The PSO is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. The PSO seeks a broad spectrum of employees and is strongly committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressively responsible fundraising roles.
• Experience creating and maintaining a department budget.
• Experience managing a capital campaign is preferred.
• Understanding of planned giving and estate planning, enough to be able to guide and counsel donors.
• Experience in leading development efforts including grant writing, corporate donations, and individual giving; experience in the North Texas area is a plus.
• Experience in effective time management related to oversight of numerous fundraising programs and symphony events.
• Excellent project management skills: ability to multi-task, track multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
• Strong written skills and ability to be an effective and articulate spokesperson of the PSO in a wide variety of settings.
• Strong customer service mindset and relationship skills to build consensus and effectively interact with others.
• Willingness and ability to embrace and lead through change as the organization evolves.
• Experience with Spektrix, or other Customer Relationship Management platform(s) such as Tessitura preferred.
• Appreciation of music; basic knowledge of symphonic music is a plus.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required for performances, events, meetings, etc.
• Bachelor’s Degree.
• F.R.E (Certified Fundraising Executive) certification is a plus but not required.
• Bi-lingual applicants are encouraged to apply.
• Maturity and a willingness to collaborate with a multi-faceted fundraising team is essential.
• Knowledge of the North Texas funding community is a plus but not required—applicant should demonstrate an understanding of the fundraising process and ability to form lasting relationships with donors and funders.