Deputy Director of Advancement

ABOUT SYMPHONY SPACE

Symphony Space is a multidisciplinary performing arts center where adventurous programming, presented in a uniquely warm and welcoming environment, forges indelible relationships between artists and audiences. Our fundamental mission is to connect art, ideas, and community through our programs and or commitment to literacy and education through the arts. On our New York City stages, through our national broadcasts, and in the classrooms and communities we serve throughout the country, we foster access to the arts across disciplines. Our embrace of the audience and the arts is wide, and the experience of our patrons is deep and enriched.

Symphony Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversifying our workforce extends to all who join us in creating and presenting art. We strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply. To learn more about Symphony Space’s mission, vision, values, and programs, please visit symphonyspace.org.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Symphony Space is seeking a Deputy Director of Advancement, a newly created leadership position on its talented Development team.

Symphony Space has arrived at an exciting moment in its 47-year history, and the Deputy Director of Advancement will play a pivotal role in the next phase of growth for the organization. The successful candidate will design and execute a strategic vision for a multi-channel annual fundraising program that identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards individual and institutional donors, secures support for programming and general operations, and strengthens and diversifies our contributed income streams.

In addition to our annual Development goals, Symphony Space is launching an ambitious capital campaign under the guidance of our Chief Advancement Officer. While the Deputy Director will work closely with leadership on the capital campaign, the primary focus of this role is overseeing and developing the frontline fundraising team, crafting ways to harness the momentum of the capital campaign to expand ongoing engagement, refreshing annual and multi-year giving approaches, and realizing the vast potential our fundraising objectives.

The Deputy Director of Advancement will manage three full-time development staff and, with the Chief Advancement Officer, work closely with the Executive Director and senior leadership in building new organizational initiatives, setting new strategies, and actively engaging with our community of supporters.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities of the Deputy Director of Advancement include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Crafting strategic annual and multi-year fundraising plans with diverse revenue streams from individuals, foundations, corporations, and planned giving
• Serving as a thought partner to the senior leadership team, strategizing on short and long-term planning
• Managing a major gifts portfolio, and developing and executing strategies for the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of current and new major donors
• Steering a robust pipeline of donors at all points of the donor experience cycle
• Articulating and meeting monthly and annual goals for dollars raised, donor contacts, and visits
• Supervising the institutional giving strategy with a focus on grant proposals and reports that are timely, accurate and compelling
• Overseeing the fundraising event strategy, including the annual Gala, that cultivates and engages donors and supporters
• Working in close collaboration with senior colleagues to craft inspiring fundraising campaigns, collateral, proposals, appeals, and stewardship events and materials
• Providing exceptional donor engagement for Symphony Space patrons at events, performances, and programming
• Steering the development department budget and assessing ongoing progress towards departmental and organizational objectives to achieve successful outcomes

QUALIFICATIONS

A successful Deputy Director of Advancement will have:

• A minimum of seven years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with demonstrated job advancement and experience managing team members
• A deep understanding of and connections to the arts and culture philanthropic community in New York City and nationally
• A proven track record of setting, achieving, and exceeding fundraising goals
• A strong background in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts from individual, corporate, and foundation donors
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to relate to Board members, patrons, artists, and fellow Symphony Space staff members
• An ability to represent Symphony Space positively to patrons, external stakeholders, and the public at large
• An ability to think strategically, work collaboratively, and communicate plans and ideas clearly and effectively
• Deep knowledge of fundraising tools, including CRM, email marketing platforms, and mailing strategies
• A commitment to and passion for the arts and for fundraising