Career Center

REPORTS TO: Senior Director of Philanthropy Operations and Analytics

POSITION SUMMARY: The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) seeks a Philanthropy Coordinator to provide high-level administrative and operational support to the Chief Philanthropy Officer and the broader Philanthropy team. This role is integral to advancing the SLSO’s fundraising efforts and ensuring a thoughtful, seamless experience for donors and supporters.

The Philanthropy Coordinator will contribute across a range of functions, including development support, executive assistance, office coordination, donor stewardship, event logistics, and data entry. This position plays a vital role in supporting both strategic initiatives and day-to-day operations, helping to drive the organization’s mission forward.

The ideal candidate is proactive, resourceful, and highly collaborative, with strong communication and critical thinking skills. They demonstrate initiative in improving processes and managing priorities in a fast-paced environment. Proficiency with tools such as mail merges, donor databases (e.g., Tessitura), and shared calendars is essential, along with a professional demeanor and a genuine curiosity for the work.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership Support

• Provide administrative support to the Chief Philanthropy Officer, including scheduling meetings with staff, donors, community partners, and board members; preparing briefing materials; entering and maintaining records in Tessitura; and drafting correspondence.
• Collaborate closely with the Executive Office to support the President and CEO on requests, initiatives, and special projects as needed.
• Coordinate Trustee Philanthropy Committee meetings, including preparing agendas and materials, recording meeting minutes, managing venue logistics, tracking attendance, and ensuring timely communication and follow-through.
• Track and reconcile invoices, billing and expenses for Chief Philanthropy Officer.

Development

• Provide confidential administrative support for the major gifts team as needed, including scheduling, managing communications, drafting correspondence, and entering notes and documents in Tessitura.
• Support the major gifts team in preparing timely renewal mailings, solicitations and donor proposals. Assist the institutional team with maintaining accurate contact records and provide research support as needed.
• Prepare welcome packets and other development materials to support major gift officers and institutional team in cultivation and stewardship efforts.
• Serve as the point person for coordinating concert underwriting selections each season, ensuring clear communication and accurate tracking.
• Manage and support a variety of team projects and processes, including compiling the Monthly Management Report; maintaining internal files for planned giving; liaising with the Artistic team on signed programs; assisting with donor list reviews; and providing administrative support for events, including RSVPs, mail merges, and donor engagement activities such as meet-and-greets.

Department Administration

• Provide front-facing support, including managing incoming calls, welcoming visitors, responding to general inquiries, and monitoring the Philanthropy@slso.org email inbox.
• Oversee day-to-day office operations by maintaining and anticipating supply needs, coordinating e-birthday cards, and processing departmental mail, including collecting, sorting, and prioritizing incoming items.
• Coordinate logistics for internal and external meetings, including room setup, agenda preparation, technology support, and arranging meals and refreshments as needed.
• Help maintain the master Philanthropy calendar, tracking key organizational priorities, concerts, and events, and proactively communicating deadlines, action items, and milestones to the team.
• Support donor communications and event coordination by documenting and sharing event details with donors, committee members, and attendees; managing data entry in Tessitura; and assisting with pre- and post-event needs such as attendance tracking, name tags, and acknowledgments.
• Participate in meetings and events as needed, including occasional evening and weekend commitments, and provide support in the donor lounge when required.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent professional experience required.
• 2-3+ years of executive support, operations or business administration roles required; a background in music is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities independently, with strong organizational, planning, and multitasking skills.
• Must be comfortable working with individuals at all levels within the organization.
• High level of discretion and ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Exceptional attention to detail, with strong writing, editing, and organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize effectively, manage a dynamic workload, and handle a wide range of responsibilities with efficiency and sound judgment.
• Strong database proficiency, including the ability to identify and resolve inconsistencies and maintain data integrity.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and experience working with database management systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a professional, collaborative, and service-oriented approach.

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 Orchest...ra, 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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