Join the Jacksonville Symphony and help us in planning, implementing, overseeing, and assessing the Symphony’s development plans in support of our organization’s strategic vision and growth.

Reports to: President & Chief Executive Officer
Works in close collaboration with: Senior Leadership Team, Board of Directors, and Music Director

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION:
The Vice President & Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) is responsible for planning, implementing, overseeing, and assessing Jacksonville Symphony’s development plans in support of the organization’s strategic vision and growth. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as a key member of the leadership team, the CAO will effectively represent the organization’s development interests to constituencies, both internal and external, and will work in close collaboration with the CEO, Music Director and the Board of Trustees to achieve philanthropic goals and build a case for support.

The primary responsibility is to develop the overall strategy for the annual fund, estate planning and proposed capital campaigns, especially the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major donors. In this effort, the CAO will primarily focus on high-net-worth individuals and trustees as well as cultivating relationships with major local and national foundations.

In addition to establishing and maintaining a personal portfolio of current and prospective major donors, the CAO will manage the development team, as well as oversee the data support function within the department, including, prospect research. The CAO will succeed and lead by example in a mission-driven working environment that balances the need and relevance of programs with the efficiency of best business practices, fiscal accountability, and institutional impact.

Development responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

1. Participate with the CEO, and the Board to develop, lead, and implement Jacksonville Symphony’s annual and long-term development strategies, continuing to chart the organization’s course in fund development while ensuring that efforts are carried out in keeping with the organization’s values, mission, vision and plans
2. Develop fund raising plan to achieve and support initiatives contained within the strategic plan
3. Oversee a $5-6M+ annual fund of individual, corporate, foundation and government funding
4. Develop and grow a balanced funding mix of donor sources and solicitation programs tailored to the needs of Jacksonville Symphony that will enable it to attract, retain and motivate donors
5. Identify, cultivate and solicit a personal portfolio of current and new funding sources and opportunities for Jacksonville Symphony including individual, foundation and corporate donors and prospects
6. Provide fundraising leadership and support to the CEO and Board members, including helping to identify their resource cultivation goals and support needs, prospecting donors, and leading or participating in asks, as appropriate
7. Support the CEO and the Board of Directors with the identification, cultivation and recruitment of prospective Board members
8. Manage a development team of at least five employees
9. Recruit, develop, coach, inspire, and motivate a strong development team
10. Provide general oversight to all of Jacksonville Symphony’s development activities
11. Establish goals and metrics to evaluate the implementation of strategy and tactics, and evaluate the overall effectiveness of the development program; assess the team to ensure that the department/function is effectively structured and staffed; oversee performance measures and monitor results
12. Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team to ensure consistent messaging and outreach strategies as they affect all development efforts
13. In collaboration with the Marketing department, execute a patron loyalty strategy that advances patron revenue by using events, communications and concert activities
14. Team with the Chief Financial Officer to assure sound fiscal operation of the development function including timely, accurate and comprehensive development of charitable contributions income and expense budgets, reporting, monitoring and implementation
15. Maintain a working knowledge of best practices and significant developments and trends in philanthropy, and adapt fundraising strategies as necessary

DESIRED TRAITS, CHARACTERISTICS & QUALIFICATIONS

1. 10-plus years’ experience with a track record of soliciting and closing six and seven figure gifts
2. Innovative, forward-thinking professional with exceptional interpersonal skills, a genuine and infectious enthusiasm for the arts and the mission of Jacksonville Symphony, and a high degree of professionalism and integrity
3. Ability to think analytically and creatively
4. Adept collaborator with a track record of working successfully across departments
5. Experience planning and leading capital campaigns
6. Knowledge of estate planning and experience securing planned gifts
7. A compelling, mature, charismatic leader with the ability to move a team forward by inspiring, mentoring and motivating people
8. A sense of humor
9. Strong communication skills, and should be able to create an environment that is conducive to open and direct communication with individuals of varying degrees of involvement with the Jacksonville Symphony
10. A resourceful, results-oriented leader with the ability to think strategically. Generate new ideas, prioritize, plan, and set goals and objectives
11. Ability to speak credibly and persuasively about Jacksonville Symphony’s vision for the future
12. Bachelor’s degree required

Key Skills:

1. A proven record of success with major gift fundraising from individuals, corporations, and foundations
2. A broad-based knowledge of all functions of development
3. Experience planning and executing department budgets and evaluating the ROI of specific fundraising programs
4. Strong problem-solving skills
5. Successful experience with the creation and execution of strategic plans as they relate to the development function
6. A demonstrated ability to plan and operate strategically, to build public support, to strengthen infrastructure, to inspire staff and the Board of Directors, and to develop effective programs
7. Exceptional financial, organizational, and administrative skills
8. Experience working with Boards of Directors and a Development Committee

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Jacksonville Symphony is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, military status, sexual orientation or any other status protected by applicable state or local law.

Compensation
Compensation, including benefits will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application
Please submit a cover letter and resume to Steven Libman, President/CEO, Jacksonville Symphony: HR@jaxsymphony.org