Posted: 25-Nov-25
Location: Norfolk, Virginia
Type: Full Time
Salary: 65,000
Categories:
Salary Details:
Preferred Education:
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra seeks a strategic and relationship-driven fundraising professional to join its Development team as a Major Gift Officer. Reporting to the Vice President of Development, this individual will play a critical role in advancing the VSO’s mission by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift donors in support of VSO’s artistic and education programs.
The Major Gifts Officer will manage a portfolio of approximately 100-130 qualified major gift prospects and donors, with primary responsibility for securing five, six, and seven-figure gifts that directly impact education and artistic programs, endowment, and community outreach. This position will also help to strengthen the corporate giving portfolio with a focus on larger corporate gifts. This position requires high-level strategic thinking, a competitive drive and work ethic, facility with data and commitment to meeting and exceeding revenue goals, excellent communication skills, and a demonstrated commitment to the VSO’s important role as a leading artistic institution in the Southeast Virginia community.
About the VSO:
About the VSO: The Virginia Symphony is Southeast Virginia’s only full-time, professional symphony and is ranked in the top three percent of orchestras nationwide. Now in its 105th season, the VSO reaches approximately 100,000 patrons, students, teachers and families annually through outstanding performances and an unmatched array of education and community programs. Our administrative team is a committed group of experienced arts professionals who are on a mission to share generously the transformative power of music with everyone in our community. We seek the right major gifts officer to help advance a new strategic vision for the organization.
Responsibilities
Portfolio Management & Donor Engagement:
- Manage and grow a portfolio of 100-130 major gift prospects and donors capable of giving $20,000 or more
- Conduct face-to-face visits each month with donors and prospects to build meaningful, authentic relationships
- Develop and execute individualized cultivation strategies for each prospect, including personalized proposals, impact reports, and stewardship touchpoints
- Qualify prospects through strategic discovery conversations, assessing giving capacity, interests, and philanthropic motivations
- Move donors through the cultivation cycle from identification to solicitation to stewardship using proven moves management strategies
- Close major gifts at the five- and six-figure level annually, meeting or exceeding fundraising goals established by leadership
Strategic Fundraising & Campaign Support:
- Actively support endowment campaign through targeted solicitation efforts
- Collaborate with the VP of Development, CEO, and program staff to align donor interests with Symphony needs
- Prepare comprehensive briefing materials, customized proposals, and presentation materials for donor meetings
- Coordinate with Development colleagues on annual giving, planned giving, and corporate/foundation relations to maximize donor engagement
- Work with VSO leadership, Board members, and key volunteers to facilitate peer-to-peer solicitations
Donor Stewardship & Relationship Building:
- Provide exceptional stewardship for all donors in portfolio, ensuring timely and meaningful recognition of gifts
- Create customized stewardship plans that demonstrate impact and inspire continued investment
- Coordinate visits, tours, and engagement opportunities that connect donors to the VSO’s mission
- Record all donor interactions, strategies, and contact reports in the donor database (CRM/ Tessitura) promptly after all interactions
- Monitor donor communication preferences and ensure personalized, mission-aligned engagement
Collaboration & Institutional Representation:
- Represent the Virginia Symphony at donor events, cultivation activities, and fundraising functions, including evenings and weekends as needed
- Work collaboratively across departments to facilitate donor connections
- Attend VSO performances and community and education activities for staff coverage and to further understanding of VSO’s programs and mission
Required Experience and Skills
- Minimum of 5 years of professional fundraising experience with demonstrated success in major gift solicitation
- Proven track record of personally soliciting and closing gifts of $50,000 or more
- Experience managing a donor portfolio and implementing strategic moves management
- Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills with ability to connect authentically with diverse constituencies
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proposal writing and presentation abilities
- Strategic thinking and ability to match donor interests with institutional priorities
- Proficiency with donor databases and Microsoft Office Suite
- Self-motivated, goal-oriented, and able to work independently with minimal supervision
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail in managing complex donor relationships
- Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism
- Ability to work at evening and weekend performances and programs, donor meetings, cultivation events, and community functions
