Position Summary

Pacific Symphony seeks a dynamic and experienced fundraising professional to serve as Director of Annual Giving. This position is responsible for planning, executing, and managing a comprehensive annual giving program that raises critical unrestricted support through gifts up to $2,500 and manages a portfolio of leadership annual donors (up to $2,500). The Director oversees multi-channel fundraising campaigns—including direct mail, telefunding, Giving Day, email, and digital strategies—while also leading donor stewardship initiatives and collaborating across departments to build a strong pipeline of support for the Symphony.

This position plays a key role in supporting Pacific Symphony’s $11 million Annual Fund and the broader $80 million 50th Anniversary Campaign, with an emphasis on growing donor participation, retention, and revenue. The Director works closely with marketing, artistic, education, and development colleagues to align annual giving strategies with institutional priorities and programming.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Annual Giving Campaigns (40%)

• Develop and implement a comprehensive annual giving program, including direct mail, digital fundraising, and telefunding strategies.

• Manage the annual giving calendar, appeal development, testing, segmentation, campaign performance tracking and analytics strategies to grow donor acquisition, retention, and revenue.

• Oversee internal telefunding efforts and ensure scripts, training, and data align with messaging and goals.

• Create compelling messaging and materials in collaboration with Senior Director of Development & Campaign Operations Marketing and Communications.
• Oversee the planning and execution of Day of Giving and other donor engagement campaigns throughout the year.

Leadership Annual Giving (25%)

• Manage a personal portfolio of 150+ donors and prospects giving up to $2,500 annually.
• Conduct regular personal solicitations, cultivation visits, and stewardship touchpoints to increase donor engagement and giving levels.
• Identify and qualify donors with capacity to upgrade to major or planned gifts in coordination with Major Gifts team.

Donor Stewardship & Pipeline Development (20%)

• In partnership with Donor Relations, design and implement a robust stewardship plan for annual fund donors.
• Create programs and events to thank, recognize, and deepen relationships with annual donors and Giving Day ambassadors.
• Lead strategies for donor retention, lapsed donor re-engagement, and pipeline growth.

Budget and Reporting (10%)

• Manage the annual giving budget and track expenses to meet fundraising and operational goals.
• Analyze giving trends and campaign performance, generating regular reports to inform strategic decisions.
• Ensure accurate data management and gift processing in collaboration with Development Operations.

Volunteer and Cross-Departmental Engagement (5%)

• Collaborate with the Board, support groups, and volunteers to enhance participation and fundraising for annual campaigns.
• Work across departments to integrate development messaging and donor engagement strategies with Symphony programming and initiatives.

Note: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Qualifications

• Proven success in leading annual fundraising campaigns and securing major gifts, preferably in a nonprofit, education, health care, performing arts or cultural organization
• Strong team leadership skills, with experience managing and mentoring development professionals
• A strategic mindset, with the ability to develop and implement long-term fundraising strategies that align with organizational goals
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with a talent for building and sustaining relationships with donors, volunteers, and stakeholders
• Experience managing a donor portfolio, with a proven track record of donor engagement and solicitation.
• Strong project management, writing, and communication skills.
• Familiarity with donor database systems (e.g., Tessitura) , Donate2 and data-driven fundraising practices
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in fundraising, donor engagement, or nonprofit leadership; CFRE certification is a plus

About Pacific Symphony

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW Founded in 1978, Pacific Symphony inspires, engages, and serves Orange County through exceptional concerts, education and community programs. Pacific Symphony is a highly dynamic and innovative organization, led artistically by Music Director Carl St. Clair for 30 years and operationally by President John Forsyte for 21 years. It presents more than 100 concerts annually, has been the resident orchestra of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall for over a decade, and serves 250,000 community members each year. The Symphony is nationally and internationally recognized for performance excellence, strong community engagement through education and other programming, and for commissioned new works by contemporary composers. In April 2018, Pacific Symphony made its debut at Carnegie Hall as one of two orchestras invited to perform during a yearlong celebration of composer Philip Glass’ 80th birthday, and the following month the orchestra toured China. The orchestra made its national PBS debut in June 2018 on Great Performances with Peter Boyer’s “Ellis Island: The Dream of America.” Pacific Symphony twice received prestigious ASCAP Awards for Advent...uresome Programming, and was showcased in the League of American Orchestras' nationally released publication entitled Fearless Journeys. Pacific Symphony offers was one of the most comprehensive array of education and community engagement programs of any American orchestra. Its flagship Class Act elementary school enrichment program has been honored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the League of American Orchestras for its exemplary orchestra education. The Symphony is located in Orange County, California's second most populous county boasting a rich arts tradition strongly supported by an engaged public. The region is a tourism magnet, home of Disneyland, and a major financial and business hub. MISSION, VISION, & VALUES Mission Pacific Symphony inspires, engages and serves Orange County and the region through exceptional music performances, and education and community programming. Vision Pacific Symphony leads a renaissance in the appreciation, accessibility and impact of classical music in Orange County and the region, through creativity, responsiveness and innovation. Values Excellence: Pacific Symphony strives for the highest quality in performance, community service and organization. Passion: Pacific Symphony brings determination, great energy and vitality to its work and projects a sense of pride. Education: Pacific Symphony seeks to ensure greater understanding and appreciation of music by all ages. Engagement: Pacific Symphony listens to and believes in involving the community, its artists, and volunteers in shaping the future of music and ensuring its impact on the broader community. Innovation: Pacific Symphony embraces and anticipates change, experiments with new practices, and shapes the future of classical music. Financial Responsibility: Pacific Symphony generates and stewards programs and resources which meets the needs of present and future generations. COMMUNITY Pacific Symphony is located in Orange County, California's second most populous county boasting a rich arts tradition strongly supported by an engaged public. Orange County envelops the visitor in the ultimate Southern California lifestyle…casual sophistication, pristine beaches, legendary theme parks, and endless options for fun in the sun or cultural exploration. Orange County is known for its ideal year-round climate with an average daily temperature of 70 degrees. Just minutes from Orange County’s 42 miles of beaches, there are magical adventures and adrenaline pumping rides at the original Disneyland Resort, and the always-thrilling Knott's Berry Farm. Orange County’s parks offer sprawling wilderness and nature parks, perfect for recreation of the sun-soaked variety, with miles of trails and coastal preserves to explore. The level of arts and entertainment found Orange County is equally unmatched. For sports fans, Anaheim offers professional baseball, hockey, and indoor soccer, with something for everyone all year round. Costa Mesa is home Pacific Symphony’s home, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, featuring four theaters and world class offerings. Laguna Beach houses an abundance of thriving art galleries and Orange County’s most famous summer and winter art festivals. Orange County’s strong university system – including the University of California, Irvine, Cal State Fullerton, and Chapman University – has helped contribute to the fact that 39% of its residents over the age of 25 have a bachelor’s degree or higher, ranking it as one of the top five regions in the nation for college educated residents and number one in California. In addition, Orange County’s economic strength is reflected in its low unemployment rate, which consistently runs lower than that of the statewide average.

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