JOB SUMMARY

The Annual Fund Director is a key leader on the BSO’s Advancement team who is responsible for planning and execution of annual giving strategies (including Membership <$3,000, and Governing Members $3,000-$9,999 campaigns) as well as development operations. Leading a team of two, s/he/they will oversee team members responsible for broad-base communications, and essential development functions such as gift entry and acknowledgments for all gifts to the BSO.

A special focus of this position’s work is growing the Governing Members program, which requires high-touch stewardship for 300+ households. With the BSO’s Giving Officers, Portfolio Support team, and volunteers in the newly formed Governing Members Council, the Annual Fund Director will carry out a significant stewardship and acquisition campaign of personalized cultivation touchpoints.

Success in this role requires enthusiastic and clear communication with internal and external constituents, excellent project management skills, creativity and vision, as well as enthusiasm for the cause that will inspire a strong case for support. There is also significant technical expertise required in using the BSO’s CRM, Tessitura, to manage donor data, organize prospecting efforts, and pull lists and data.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Annual Fund Development

Develop and carry out an annual strategy to retain, acquire, and grow donors in the Membership ($75-

$2,999) and Governing Members ($3,000-$9,999) programs:

• Work with all members of the Patron Strategies Workgroup to prepare an institution-wide calendar of patron communications and events, with a special focus on Annual Fund solicitation, cultivation and stewardship plans to fulfill the BSO’s short- and long-term Annual Fund goals.
• With support from with the Manager of Advancement Communications, implement multi- channel broad-base fundraising campaigns that include Membership renewals, donor acquisition, monthly giving, special giving, and subscription ask. Oversee the development of broad-base stewardship communications about benefits, events, impact stories and donor reports. Ensure giving pages on BSOmusic.org are current.
• Lead the annual renewal and acquisition campaigns for the Governing Members program with personal letters, phone calls, events, and volunteer engagement, working closely with Giving Officers as necessary. Oversee the Governing Members Council of volunteers who assist with Governing Member stewardship and recruitment.
• Support the Manager of Events & Engagement in the development, execution, and promotion of Annual Fund-related events and benefit fulfillment.
• Provide the BSO’s Design team with direction for timely delivery of materials that represent the BSO brand and meet best practices in donor communications.

• Develop new strategies for philanthropic engagement, including text to give, online giving, monthly giving, and special interest groups.

Development Operations

Ensure a high level of stewardship is supported by the care, keeping, and configuration of all BSO fundraising data in Tessitura.

• With support from the Development Operations Specialist, ensure essential development processes including gift entry, acknowledgement, billing, campaign and appeal usage, and reporting are timely, effective, and accurate.
• Develop policies and protocol as needed to ensure efficiency and quality, training BSO staff to gradually take on more responsibilities in using the system to facilitate their work.
• Manage the development of patron communication and invitation lists, overseeing the management of the BSO’s renewal, lapsed, and acquisition account data.
• In collaboration with the Patron Support and Finance teams, ensure that donor phone hotlines and emails, data integrity best practices, filing and reporting standards are upheld.

Management and Leadership Responsibilities

• Provide leadership guidance and directional support as supervisor to the Development Operations Specialist and the Manager of Advancement Communications.
• Create and track annual Membership Solicitation, Stewardship and Prospecting budgets.
• Monitor, analyze and report on the progress of individual giving campaigns; draft communications, outlines, status reports, and planning documents for members of the senior staff and Board of Directors.
• Attend concerts and member events as a representative of the BSO staff both during and after office hours. Also provide Governing Members Lounge support as assigned.
• Recruit help through the BSO’s volunteer program to receive administrative or event support in the BSO offices as desired.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CAPABILITIES

Required:

• 4-5 years of increasingly responsible development experience. At least three (3) years of broad- base giving project experience; two (2) years of supervisory experience; and one (1) year of proficient database management (Tessitura preferred).
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• Ability to craft a compelling, donor-specific case for support and solicitation package.
• Impeccable and proactive communications skills, both written and oral.
• A positive and enthusiastic demeanor.
• Proficiency with Microsoft programs.
• Flexibility to adjust schedule as needed (with notice) for support at events, which frequently occur on evenings and weekends.

Preferred:

• Excellent critical thinking, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in an arts and culture membership organization.
• A background and/or interest in symphonic music.
• Master’s degree in Arts Administration, Arts Management, Non-Profit Management, or similar field, or a personal course of study one of these fields beyond an academic program.