This position reports to and works directly with the Director of Philanthropy by engaging and stewarding donors to build a consistent line of revenue to support the mission and vision of The Venice Symphony.

The Development Manager will create experiences that connect donors and prospects to The Venice Symphony’s mission deepening their engagement with the organization and inspiring new or increased philanthropic support. They will also manage fundraising campaigns and steward individual giving.

The Development Manager must be an expert in event planning, project management, and relationship building and proficient in developing and utilizing systems and team tools. They will also help identify process and procedural improvements to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

They will manage guidelines, follow policies and procedures, and track, analyze, and report regularly on engagement data and metrics to achieve results. The ability to expertly manage multiple large projects at a high level with accuracy, timeliness, a positive attitude and calm demeanor is key.

The Development Manager will exemplify professionalism in working with co-workers, volunteers, stakeholders, customers and the general public. They will facilitate teams and work with high level volunteers to accomplish assigned tasks, annual goals and financial targets.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: 4-year degree

Required Experience: 

• Minimum 3-5 years related experience in a nonprofit organization, preferably in arts or culture. 
• Minimum 3-5 years related experience in development work, fundraising and donor relations.
• Minimum 3-5 years in event/campaign coordination with a solid record of achieving or exceeding financial and participation goals.
• Demonstrated success and competence in strategic planning and project management.
• Demonstrated experience with spreadsheets, databases, desktop publishing, Drop Box, Google products or other Cloud-based applications.
• Demonstrated experience in data base creation and management, dashboards or development analytics.
• Experience in preparing proposals, narrative and financial reports.
• Experience in working with Board of Trustees and developing volunteer leadership.

Required Characteristics: 

• High level of personal integrity with a commitment to transparency and accountability.
• Strives for excellence.
• Well organized with strong follow through skills.
• Detail oriented and strong analytical skills.
• Consistently completes work and assignments accurately and on time.
• Self-starter and also a team player.
• Positive, professional and without prejudice.
• Motivated and willing to self-learn, accept guidance and direction.
• Sound judgment and discretion in handling financial, confidential and sensitive matters.

Knowledge of and Demonstrated Skills in:

• Best practices and policies related to fundraising and donor development and stewardship.
• Time and project management skills. Ability to prioritize.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Project management, workflow processes, campaign management and fundraising.
• Financial skills to forecast budget, track expenses and to reconcile project revenue.
• Tracking metrics, analyzing and reporting on trends and statistics.

Ability to:

• Advance the organization's mission by facilitating volunteer teams, coordinating successful activities, diversifying resources and strengthening relationships.
• Consistently ensure a professional standard of quality for the patron experience, VS communications, and all interactions with stake holders and the public.
• Self-motivate, work independently and to inspire and lead by example.
• Work collaboratively as a trusted and reliable member of a high-functioning, faced pace team.
• Make sound decisions and to successfully address challenges and problem solve.
• Work evenings and weekends during concert season.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Development Support:

• Help develop a strategic development plan with annual goals and targets to support the Venice Symphony’s mission and annual priorities. Consistently report progress against goals (on a monthly basis and as requested).
• Support overall Development team strategy and function.
• Participate in team, cross functional, all staff and other meetings as required or advantageous;
• Communicate respectfully and professionally.
• Keep DP apprised of all donor communications, support needed, progress of planning, project successes and concerns.

Donor Stewardship and Individual Giving:

• Understand and apply all aspects of the individual donor development cycle - including donor identification, research & qualification, cultivation, effective solicitation, acknowledgment, and stewardship.
• Solicit, develop and grow a pipeline of donors sufficient to meet or exceed annual revenue goals.
• Maintain Individual giving records; Build, improve and maintain efficient tools to record all aspects of the donor cycle and for accurate and timely reporting and data analysis.
• Reconcile Individual Giving program transactions with Finance and CRM monthly to ensure proper acknowledgements, recognitions and reporting.
• Ensure donors are appropriately acknowledged, included in appropriate or advantageous events and campaigns, and have the opportunity to receive donor related benefits.
• Create accurate donor lists for outward facing materials (Concert Program book, Annual Report, Website, Invitation lists, etc.).

Donor Engagement & Committee Work

• Create and manage all event assets and correspondence including formal communications, sponsorship forms, proposals, reports, donor recognition and acknowledgements.
• Create and maintain a timeline of activities that rolls up to and leverages broader team and organization timeline.
• Work closely with Communication Team to develop and implement a detailed marketing plan for each event.
• Ensure all staff and volunteers are kept informed and equipped with current messaging.
• Facilitate committees for event related needs and opportunities.
• Develop, manage, update and maintain mailing lists associate with each event.
• Manage invite and RSVP process.
• Provide onsite event management and volunteer coordination.
• Invite, accept and manage feedback, as appropriate.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• Develop event, campaign and individual giving budget projections and track all revenue and expenditures.
• Maintain and reconcile expense budgets for each assignment.
• Process all incoming sponsorships, ticket sales, contributions, pledges and in-kind donations related to each activity/event. Ensure proper correspondence and recognition with sponsors and donors.
• Reconcile all proceeds from fundraising events.
• Track, evaluate and report progress in achieving financial objectives.

Venice Symphony Staff Support:

• Attend all VS Staff meetings, trainings and activities.
• Attend all concerts and performances and other occasional events on evenings and weekends.
• Support co-workers by assisting them as needed and make shared goals a priority.
• Accept accountability for assignments.
• Ask questions when unsure of proper practice, procedure or expectation.
• Be open and flexible including willing to quickly “pivot” when required.
• Have a sense of humor and always assume good intentions of co-workers and stakeholders.

EVALUATION:  Performance reviews will be conducted by the Director of Philanthropy. First review will be in 90 days during probationary 6-month period.

About The Venice Symphony

Located in Southwest Florida, just 5 minutes from the beach, Venice is in Sarasota County, one of Florida's premier art and cultural destinations. The Venice Symphony is led by music director Troy Quinn who begins his third year on the conductor's podium. The Symphony looks forward to another sold-out season at the state-of-the-art Venice Performing Arts Center.

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