ADVANCEMENT OPERATIONS MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION 

Department: Advancement 

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Work Location: Hybrid  

FT/PT: Full Time 

Last Revision Date: October 24, 2025 
 

How to apply: A cover letter is required for consideration of this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address: 

• Your specific interest in the position and working at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra 

• Outline your skills and experience that directly relate to the responsibilities of the role 

The Organization: The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is known internationally for trailblazing performances, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and a deep commitment to serving our community. Making its home in historic Orchestra Hall at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, the DSO actively pursues its vision to be an inclusive and culturally relevant community where all people can experience their world through music. 
 

The DSO is a complex organization. Operating 365 days per year in historic Orchestra Hall, one of America’s most acoustically perfect concert halls, we are a performing arts institution, an educational facility, and a community center. We are governed by an independent Board of Directors and employ both union and non-union employees as musicians, stage crew, and administrative staff. Creating a unified culture throughout the institution is an organizational imperative, and we are guided by our values of excellence, diversity, resilience, collaboration, and innovation. The DSO is also deeply invested in the city of Detroit; through our Detroit Strategy initiative, we are expanding the DSO’s participation in the growth and well-being of the city.   
 

The DSO offers a unique, fast-paced working environment, an excellent overall compensation package, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information visit www.dso.org. 
 

Position Summary: The Advancement Operations Manager oversees the support and administrative functions of the DSO Advancement Team and is critical to the achievement of the DSO’s contributed revenue goals. The Operations Manager tracks and communicates team fundraising progress by managing contributed revenue reporting and data hygiene, liaising between the Advancement and Finance departments to ensure accuracy. With the support of one direct report, the Advancement Operations Manager oversees weekly acknowledgement and pledge reminder processes while serving as project manager for bi-monthly renewal mailings, donor recognition listings, and other operations as needed. The Operations Manager works closely with the Advancement leadership team to document core procedures and makes recommendations that further optimize support operations.  

Specific Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Oversee core operations functions for the Advancement team at the DSO.
  
  
• Guide Advancement Team in understanding progress to annual goals through managing the weekly contributed revenue reporting. 

• Support Advancement Team in direct and indirect fundraising goals by generating mailing lists for solicitations, invitations, and other stewardship efforts. Collaborate with Advancement Staff to develop successful segmentation strategies for multi-channel solicitations and tele funding. 

• Help the organization understand cashflow, serving as primary liaison between the Advancement and Finance Departments, reporting out expected contribution and pledge fulfillment dates. 

• As the Advancement Team’s Tessitura power user, serve as primary liaison to Advancement and I.T. departments, leading resolution of software issues, and improving department efficiency through new Tessitura projects, identified by the team. 

• Support data hygiene efforts across the organization, communicating gift entry amendments to Finance, updating donor records, and assisting with account merges. 

• Project manage standing donor recognition workflows including Performance Magazine listing and printed donor wall. 

• Project manage bi-monthly renewal workflow for DSO Governing Members. 

• Lead, manage, and coach the Donor Communications Specialist, overseeing the weekly donor acknowledgement and monthly pledge reminder processes. 

• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for the Advancement team and make recommendations to leadership that improve standing workflows. 

• Provide support for all other reporting requests as needed including those for special funding, endowment, special events, solicitations and moves management. 

• Act as staff liaison at DSO events and the Donor Lounge approximately 2-3 times per month. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications:  

• 3 years' experience in advancement operations, CRM management, gift entry, or another data-related field

• Ability to focus intently on the task at hand with the utmost attention to detail and an intense commitment to accuracy 

• Experience using CRM databases, for data analysis, data entry, and data extraction 

• Experience maintaining standing operations, workflows, or projects 

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel including pivot tables, formulas, and visualizations 

• Proven experience working in, and contributing to, a collaborative team environment 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with staff and patrons 

• Excellent time management and organizational skills and an ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment 

• Ability to treat confidential and private information with discretion 

• Ability to act independently, take initiative, and meet changing priorities  

• Successful experience working in, and contributing to, a collaborative, team environment 

Desired Qualifications: 

• 3-5 years’ experience in advancement operations 

• 1+ years’ management experience 

• 1+ years’ experience using Tessitura 

• Experience working in the nonprofit sector 

 
Not sure you meet 100% of the qualifications? If this role speaks to you and you believe that you can excel, we encourage you to apply. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra is committed to considering candidates with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds who are interested in building and delivering impactful services and programs. 

Additional Information:  

• This is a salaried, non-union position 

• Successful candidates must be available to work a varying schedule, including nights and weekends, to meet the needs of the DSO’s performance schedule 

• All positions at the DSO require the successful completion of a background check prior to beginning employment. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify candidates.    
   

Physical Requirements:  
This role primarily works in an office environment and frequently has prolonged periods of sitting and looking at a computer screen. Additional physical requirements include: 
 

Position Reports to: Director of Individual Giving 

Direct Reports: Donor Communications Specialist 

If an accommodation is needed to ensure your successful participation in the  

application or interview process, please reach out to hr@dso.org for assistance. 

About HR Specialist

The acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra is known for trailblazing performances, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and a deep connection to its city. Led by Music Director Jader Bignamini since 2020, the DSO makes its home at historic Orchestra Hall within the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, offering a performance schedule that features the PVS Classical, PNC Pops, Paradise Jazz, and Young People’s Family Concert series. In addition, the DSO presents the William Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series in metro area venues, as well as eclectic multi-genre performances in its mid-size venue The Cube, constructed and curated with support from Peter D. & Julie F. Cummings. A dedication to broadcast innovation began in 1922, when the DSO became the first orchestra in the world to present a live radio broadcast of a concert and continues today with the groundbreaking Live from Orchestra Hall series of free webcasts. Since its first school concerts a century ago, and particularly since the founding of the Civic Youth Ensembles in 1970, the DSO has been a national leader in bringing the benefits of music education to students, teachers, and families in D...etroit and surrounding communities. The DSO remains committed to expanding its participation in the growth and well-being of Detroit through programs like its Detroit Neighborhood Initiative—cultural events co-created with community partners and residents—and Detroit Harmony, a promise to provide an instrument and instruction to any student in the city who wants to learn. With unwavering support from the people of Detroit, the DSO actively pursues a mission to impact lives through the power of unforgettable musical experiences.

Show more

Show less

Connections working at HR Specialist