Executive Director & Chief Development Officer

The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra seeks a strong leader with excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated track record in fund-raising, strategic planning, and organizational leadership.  The successful candidate has a proven ability to lead the organization in achieving its strategic, artistic, financial, and educational goals.  With an energy and enthusiasm that draws people into the organization, the Annapolis Symphony’s Executive Director and Chief Development Officer’s primary responsibility is to build upon the organization’s artistic and financial strength in order to deliver on its Mission to produce, present, and promote memorable symphonic music that increases awareness, enjoyment, and appreciation of music for all ages throughout the region, and advance achievement of its three pillars: Artistic Excellence, Regional Depth, and National Recognition.  The position reports to the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

 

Responsibilities include:

Engage and promote the Symphony among an ever-widening circle of individuals, corporations, community leaders, foundations, and government agencies, both state and local, to cultivate new partnerships and patrons;
 

Prepare — in collaboration with the Board — and execute a new 3-year Strategic Plan, building upon the SYMPHONY 2020 strategic framework and continuing to implement the Symphony’s Artistic and Educational priorities;
 

Establish plans for both existing and potential donors throughout the Donor Cycle to identify, research, cultivate, solicit, and steward the Symphony’s donor to meet or exceed established fund-raising goals.  The Executive Director will determine how best to utilize other resources throughout the process, including, but not limited to, the Board of Trustees, Music Director, Director of the Annapolis Symphony Academy, and other donors, etc., but retains the primary fund-raising responsibility;
 

Work with the Board to design and successfully implement a multi-year comprehensive campaign, with the support of the Development Committee, to encompass multiple streams of philanthropic investment, including annual, restricted, planned, and endowment giving;
 

Direct all aspects of operations including personnel, marketing, budgeting, and financial management, including the Symphony’s endowment, as well as oversee labor relations and contract negotiations to achieve established annual goals;
 

Direct all aspects of concert production, including Masterworks, Pops, Chamber Series and Family concerts in accordance with the Symphony’s Artistic Initiatives;
 

Establish a solid working relationship with the Board of Trustees, Music Director, both Symphony and Maryland Hall staff, and the Friends of the Annapolis Symphony (FASO) to further the Symphony’s mission and achieve its vision;
 

Work in partnership with Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) to promote the educational priorities and, working with its Director, oversee the direction of the Annapolis Symphony Academy (www.tunedtoyouth.org.);
 

Provide informed, authentic leadership for cultural equity by pursuing cultural consciousness throughout the organization; acknowledge and dismantle any inequities within policies, systems and programs; and, commit time and resources to expand more diverse leadership and participation throughout the organization.

 

Qualifications

At least 7-10 years of senior management experience in a non-profit organization, including a minimum 5 years of experience in successfully designing and leading development strategies and fundraising efforts of a major non-profit;
 

A love for and dedication personally to raise funds, especially cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and transformational gifts;
 

Proven leadership ability and measurable experience in fundraising, public relations, marketing, audience development, and increasing earned revenue;
 

Strong strategic thinking; the ability to deliver results that meet or exceed target goals;
 

Experience working in or managing a comprehensive, capital, or endowment campaign;
 

Solid financial management and budgeting skills within non-profit organizations;
 

Superb interpersonal skills and the ability to motivate effectively the Board of Trustees, staff and volunteers to achieve the orchestra’s mission;
 

Understanding of and ability to build, nurture, and sustain positive relationships with all patrons and donors — and the ability to translate that into sustained and growing financial support;
 

A love for classical music and an ability to communicate its importance persuasively to a broad range of audiences;
 

Working knowledge of orchestral music, production, and operations important but not necessary;
 

Understanding of issues and challenges facing symphony orchestras, especially in small-to-medium sized communities;
 

A reputation for integrity, high energy, strong interpersonal skills, and a strong work ethic;
 

A demonstrated commitment to advancing the principles of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in an arts organization.

 

Compensation

Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The Annapolis Symphony offers a competitive benefits package to its employees, including health insurance and paid annual vacation.

The work of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is made possible through the generous support of committed individuals and institutions.