THE POSITION:
The Director of Development of the Des Moines Symphony & Academy serves as a key member of the Symphony’s administrative leadership team. Reporting to the Executive Director and working directly and extensively with the Symphony’s Board of Trustees, the ideal candidate will have a proven track record in not-for-profit annual fundraising with individuals, corporations, foundations, and government sources. Experience with endowment and capital campaigns, events, and planned giving will be a plus.
The Director of Development will oversee a department of three full-time employees and work directly with the Executive Director and the Symphony’s Board of Trustees to plan and realize the organization’s Annual Fund goals which currently total over $1.6 million, including over $400,000 each season in corporate sponsorships. In addition, the position is directly responsible to the Symphony’s Foundation Board which oversees the endowment, presently valued at over $10 million in total assets and pledges receivable. The Director of Development will be a principal representative and spokesperson for the Symphony throughout the community and some evening and weekend work is required.
Salary is commensurate with experience. Medical, dental, life insurance, and 401(k) benefits are provided.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree with an accredited college or university and at least eight years experience of demonstrated successful management of not-for-profit fund development, including staff leadership, is required. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are a must. Master’s degree, CFRE, and experience with an arts related organization are preferred.
The Des Moines Symphony uses Microsoft Office, Windows 10, and Patron Manager.
IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS:
We seek an energetic, motivated, creative, and experienced individual with highly developed interpersonal, communication, strategic, and relationship building skills. They will be an enthusiastic advocate for the Des Moines Symphony and its Academy of Music throughout Central Iowa and beyond.
THE ORGANIZATION:
The Des Moines Symphony is a not-for-profit, professional orchestra formed in 1937 to enrich, educate and provide the Central Iowa community with innovative programming and inspiring performances of great orchestral music. The Des Moines Symphony Academy, housed in the beautifully restored Temple for Performing Arts in downtown Des Moines, was launched in 2003 to provide quality music education opportunities for Central Iowans of all ages. The Symphony Association, governed by a 24-member volunteer Board of Trustees and operating on an annual budget of $4.2 million, supports both the Symphony Academy and its numerous education programs including four youth orchestras, a Youth Wind Ensemble, chamber music, music theory and private lessons to over 600 students each week; and supports the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director & Conductor Joseph Giunta, who this season celebrates his 31st anniversary with the Orchestra.
Each season, the Orchestra performs seven pairs of Masterworks concerts, a Pops series including the traditional New Year’s Eve Pops, education, outreach, family and other special concerts in its home at the acoustically acclaimed Des Moines Civic Center. This past summer the Orchestra launched its new summer series of concerts at the newly-opened Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park. In addition, the Des Moines Symphony produces and performs the annual Yankee Doodle Pops concert in July on the grounds of the Iowa State Capitol which attracts an audience of more than 100,000, the largest single-day attendance of any concert event in the State.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please submit a cover letter and resume to renee@dmsymphony.org.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applicant screening process to begin immediately.
