JOB: DIRECTOR OF Development & Donor Services

JOB TITLE: Director of Development & Donor Services
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
DIRECT REPORTS: Development Associate
STATUS: Full-time, exempt employee
JOB LOCATION: In-person with flexibility
COMPENSATION RANGE: $80,000 with relevant experience 
BENEFITS: Medical/Dental/Vision, Health Savings Account, 403b access

The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra seeks a dynamic fundraising professional —  a passionate advocate for the arts who appreciates the vital role that symphonic music and orchestras play within our community, in the context of an ever-changing world. We work tirelessly to “meet people where they are” and pride ourselves in the multiplicity of ways we interact with our audience members and donors. Of particular importance to A2SO mission is bringing our music to all corners of our communities throughout Washtenaw, Livingston, Oakland, and Wayne counties through our Learning & Community department programs. The Development departmental goals, therefore, focus fundraising efforts to support our programs both “on” and “off” the stage.

As we work to increase widespread, equitable access to our music, the Director of Development and Donor Services will play a pivotal role to identify fundraising trends and respond with principled, dynamic, proactive actions to maximize results. Fast approaching our 100th anniversary (2027-28 and 2028-29) seasons, the A2SO needs a leader who will help shape our storytelling and grow our contributed income to sustain our financial health into our 2nd century. This will include a “Second Century” fund to support our future programming and organizational needs.

Realizing that our donors have varied passions about how to best support the A2SO mission, the Director of Development and Donor Services is responsible for connecting individual, corporate, and foundation donors to memorable and impactful experiences through our music. This fundraising professional is an integral part of the A2SO management team and will be a thoughtful and empathetic listener, collaborative teammate, as well as a good strategic thinker and leader.

The Ann Arbor cultural ecosystem is one where the arts thrive among enthusiastic and open-minded audiences; where artistic innovation and excellence evolve through rich engagements with every corner of our community, both on and off the stage. As we work to celebrate the classical masterworks, we also endeavor to craft the story of the important new music being written today; this serves to challenge the hearts and minds of traditional audiences, to pique interest among newer growing audiences, and to help lay the groundwork for the future relevance and imperative of classical music.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Development is responsible for implementing a comprehensive annual plan to meet or exceed all Contribute Revenue goals from individuals, corporations, foundations and government agencies, successfully stewarding donors through establishing and maintaining personal relationships based on trust, and communicating this progress to the Executive Director, Development Committee and Board of Directors on a regular basis.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Develop and manage the annual operating budget for the Department including all stewardship events, donor meetings, and other activities as appropriate.
  • Set overall annual Development goals and calendar. Coordinate all stewardship and raising of individual, foundation and/or corporate sponsorships for all MainStage & Pops concerts, Learning & Community programs, or any other concerts/ events performed throughout the season.
  • Own Development Director/ Executive Director weekly meeting agendas, responsible for confirming and ensuring meetings occur.
  • Meet 1:1 with donors, maintain a portfolio of donors and prospects, create and implement personalized gifts and “moves management” strategies for individual donors. Prepare and make personal gift asks for music, artist, concert, chair, L & C program sponsorships, endowment or capital campaigns, operating expenses, and the Centennial Commissioning Club.
  • Direct all endowment/capital campaigns. Be responsible for conducting feasibility study and preparing study results and Case for Support for Board approval, maintaining campaign prospect pipeline, plan, and timeline, fundraising progress reports, and goals. Make asks, update reports, and provide ask packets to Board &/or Committee members. Coordinate and facilitate Campaign Committee meetings as appropriate.
  • Supervise Development Associate (DA) in gift processing and acknowledgment, pledge entry and communication, Annual Fund mailings, Afterglows/ other stewardship events, and department administrative duties. 
  • Together with DA, maintain master grants calendar for cultivation, grant deadlines, grant submissions and decisions, and interim and/or final grant report due dates for funders. Ensure that all grant reports are delivered on time. Support other work of the DA as needed (e.g.- Afterglow and other event planning, and administration).
  • Work closely with Finance, L & C, Marketing, and Operations departments on grant application and grant report budgets, implementation feasibility/processes, evaluation and marketing.
  • By approval from the Executive Director, plan 6-10 concert-related stewardship events and other fundraising receptions and social gatherings each season. These include events before and after concerts– to thank individual contributors and corporate sponsors, inform them of the A2SO’s activities, and use the time for donor cultivation purposes. Other stewardship events as planned.
  • Provide technical assistance to the Executive Director, Finance Committee, Development Committee and Board of Directors regarding Development best practices, legal issues, principles of charitable giving and/or endowment. 
  • Work with the Marketing Director to create Development materials and collateral, as well as fundraising messaging via social media, website, and emails. This includes the annual “Giving Tuesday” effort.
  • Recruit and staff the Development Committee, work with VP-Development to lead and set agendas for committee meetings. Report progress of all fundraising goals and campaigns. Engage DC members in fundraising and stewardship activities, Provide Development overview/onboarding to new Committee and Board members. Through the Centennial seasons, work with Centennial Development sub-committee in supporting and complementary role. 
  • Support the Board of Directors to access personal networks.
  • Work closely with the Past President of the Board to productively interface with the Encore Council members. Attend 3 Encore Council events annually.
  • Work with the VP-Development, Executive Director, and President, to develop effective strategies and support leadership efforts to achieve the fundraising and stewardship goals for Annual Gala. Create, update, and report on the annual gala plan and budget, which is integrated into the overall Development annual plan. Provide oversight of the gala budget, including goal setting and goal attainment to ensure gala success and growth. Liaise with venue contacts and vendors as needed. Hire contractors (eg. auctioneers, valet, DJ, etc.) to maximize success of the Gala.
  • Identify potential Board Members for network/skill-base expansion, and nomination.
  • Other duties as requested by the Executive Director.

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher
  • At least 5 years of experience in related fundraising work, with history and portfolio of work accomplishments in annual fund and major gifts
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Passion for classical music– its historical and current day importance in regional arts ecosystems 
  • Working fluency of ticketing systems and CRMs (Spektrix highly preferred)
  • Ability to work in a small team environment
  • Flexibility to work some nights and weekends as program dictates

Desired Qualifications:

  • Previous departmental leadership experience at non-profit arts & culture org
  • Knowledge of classical music, with previous experience in a live music organization
  • Fluency with Spektrix

 

Interested candidates should send a resume or CV and letter of interest to jobs@a2so.org. 

Application deadline: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 5 PM EST.

 

The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in all facets of the organization. We seek to develop a diverse candidate pool and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion or national origin. This job is based at our office in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

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