Career Center

SARASOTA ORCHESTRA IS RECRUITING NOW FOR A

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DONOR ENGAGEMENT - MAJOR GIFTS!

Founded in 1949, Sarasota Orchestra is one of Florida's leading cultural institutions and a cornerstone of the Gulf Coast's vibrant arts community.  Known for its artistic excellence and innovative programming, the Orchestra presents a full season of Masterworks, Pops, Chamber, and Youth concerts, serving audiences across Sarasota and Manatee counties.  Under the leadership of Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero, the Orchestra continues to elevate its artistic profile while deepening its connection to the community.

Beyond the concert hall, Sarasota Orchestra is a powerful force for arts education and community engagement.  Through youth orchestra programs, school partnerships, and accessible community performances, the organization reaches thousands of students and families each year. Education is not ancillary to the mission, it is central to it.  The Orchestra's commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians and audiences reflects both its civic leadership and its long-term vision.  Sarasota Orchestra is also the parent program of the Sarasota Music Festival, one of the premiere teaching and performance festivals in the world for chamber music.

Sarasota Orchestra is currently advancing plans for a transformational new Sarasota Music Center, a permanent home designed to support artistic growth, expand education initiatives, and serve as a year-round cultural gathering space.  This capital initiative represents a defining moment in the organization's history and signals bold ambition for the future.  With strong board leadership, a loyal donor base, and a deeply collaborative advancement team, Sarasota Orchestra is poised for its next chapter of impact and growth.

Job Title:                    Senior Director of Donor Engagement – Major Gifts

Department:              Donor Engagement

Reports To:                Vice President of Advancement and Strategic Initiatives

Classification:           Full-time; Salary / Exempt

Supervises:                None – N/A

Location:                   Sarasota, FL

General Overview: 

Known for its unique, team-oriented fundraising culture, Sarasota Orchestra seeks to engage a Senior Director of Donor Engagement – Major Gifts to join an established and successful team of fundraising professionals. This position will focus on cultivation of major gifts, while helping to implement and execute successful Giving campaigns.  This position will maintain a keen awareness of Sarasota Orchestra’s overall development program which includes annual giving, foundation and corporate giving and revenue generated from special events.  This position will also support the fundraising effort for a new Sarasota Music Center facility.  Work and collaborate with fellow Donor Engagement Team members to establish objectives and set goals in a culture that cares deeply about stewardship and working as part of a team of development professionals. The Senior Director shall support a respectful and positive working relationship with all employees, patrons and customers, promoting an inclusive, respectful culture and Sarasota Orchestra values. 

Responsibilities:

• Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of major individual donors as well as prospects to secure Major Gifts, Annual Fund support, and funding for Special Projects
• Interact with major donors, board members, and professional advisors, and participate in fundraising activities to develop relationships with constituencies
• Participate in the tracking and qualifying of new prospects, recording of gifts and development of stewardship and acknowledgement strategies
• Participate in donor cultivation and stewardship at concerts, special events, receptions and outside events
• Meet objectives and budget goals as a member of the Donor Engagement team
• As a member of the Music Center Campaign team, assist with prospect research, gift agreements, and documentation, as well as donor stewardship and cultivation strategies
• Collaborate with the Campaign team in all aspects of the major gifts program of the Capital Campaign and Annual Fund.
• Willingness to embrace other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and seven-to-ten years of Development experience
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including some evenings and weekends
• Willingness to be hands on when needed and to assist with Development-related events to foster donor/prospect cultivation
• Ability to collaborate and work well with members of a team
• Excellent team player, with strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Knowledge in Microsoft office products, including Word and Excel, and development software preferably Tessitura
• Experience interfacing with donors, Board members and community leaders

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, and use hands to finger, handle or feel.  Repetitive motion is required while using a computer.  The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures and viewing a computer terminal.  This position requires the ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. 

Working Conditions:

The job operates in a professional office environment and performing arts venues.  The environment is generally moderate in temperature and noise level. 

To Apply:

Sarasota Orchestra has engaged ThinkingAhead Executive Search to help lead this search at this time.  Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter outlining their leadership experience and interest in the role to:

Jonathan McIntosh, Partner, Thinking Ahead Executive Search – jmcintosh@thinkingahead.com .

Rachael Holloway, Recruiter, ThinkingAhead Executive Search – rholloway@thinkingahead.com .

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About Sarasota Orchestra

Since 1949, Sarasota Orchestra has inspired and entertained music-lovers across the region and visitors from around the world. A cultural leader in a city known for its vibrant arts community, Sarasota Orchestra’s threefold mission is dedicated to exquisite performance and first-class musical education. As the oldest continuing orchestra in the state of Florida, each year the 76-member Orchestra performs more than 100 classical, pops, chamber music, and community outreach concerts. Sarasota Orchestra's acclaimed music education program includes the Sarasota Youth Orchestras, established in 1959 and currently supporting eight student ensembles, as well as the annual Summer Music Camp. Sarasota Orchestra also offers music lessons for students of all ages and abilities and sponsors multiple outreach programs. An annual tradition since 1953, the Orchestra’s Young Person’s Concerts brings the joy and wonder of a symphony orchestra performance to nearly 10,000 Sarasota and Manatee County fourth- and fifth-graders every fall. Sarasota Orchestra is the parent program of the world-renowned Sarasota Music Festival, founded in 1965. Each June the Sarasota Music Festival welcomes 60 p...re-professional fellows from around the globe and 40 faculty artists representing the top conservatories, music colleges, and classical music ensembles for three weeks of intensive study and public performances. MISSION STATEMENT The mission of Sarasota Orchestra is to engage, educate, and enrich our community through high-quality, live musical experiences.

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