THE POSITION:
The Development Manager works as an integral part of a small team to advance the mission of the Des Moines Symphony & Academy. The Development Manager takes a lead role in planning and managing creative and strategic annual fund and donor stewardship campaigns that result in increased donations and donor engagement and help raise more than $1.6 million each year. The ideal candidate will have experience in development, marketing, or a comparable field and a demonstrated knowledge of fundraising best practices. Experience with another not-for-profit arts organization, an interest in symphonic music and music education, and knowledge of the Des Moines philanthropic and corporate communities are all pluses.
Reporting to the Director of Development, the Development Manager oversees the Des Moines Symphony & Academy’s individual annual giving programs, including planning, implementing, and evaluating all annual individual solicitations; oversees the planning, execution, and evaluation of various donor engagement activities and events; and helps plan and participates in Symphony & Academy donor engagement and fundraising events.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Candidates must be strategic, highly organized, motivated, high-energy, detail-oriented self-starters who work well within a small team. Candidates should possess at least 2 years of experience in development, marketing or comparable field and a demonstrated knowledge of fundraising best practices.
The Development Manager position requires strategic thinking, strong organizational and project management skills, impeccable attention to detail, and ability to function as both a team leader and team player. Candidates will be able to prioritize multiple projects, manage and execute multiple processes simultaneously, and possess a natural instinct to take initiative and ownership for outcomes. The ideal candidate will possess a high degree of comfort interacting with donors. Experience in database management (especially PatronManager / Salesforce), Microsoft Office programs (especially Excel), and social media tools are required. Evening and weekend hours for performances and events are required.
THE ORGANIZATION:
The Des Moines Symphony is a not-for-profit, professional orchestra formed in 1937 to enrich, educate and inspire the community by performing great orchestral music. The Symphony Association, governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees and operating on an annual budget of more than $4.3 million, supports the Symphony Academy and its numerous music education programs including four youth orchestras and a youth wind ensemble; and supports the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra which performs seven pairs of Masterworks concerts, a Pops series including the traditional New Year’s Eve Pops, education, outreach and family concerts, and other special events in its home at the Des Moines Civic Center. The organization also offers an annual summer series of free concerts at Water Works Park and produces and performs the Des Moines Symphony’s annual Yankee Doodle Pops concert in July on the grounds of the Iowa State Capitol, which attracts more than 100,000, the largest single day attendance of any concert event in the State.
COMPENSATION:
Salary is commensurate with experience. Medical, dental, life insurance, retirement and vacation benefits are provided.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please submit a cover letter and resume to renee@dmsymphony.org.
Application screening will begin immediately.
