Development Operations & Annual Giving Manager

About the Opportunity 

Are you an independent, detail-oriented team player with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and partners? Do you want to inspire real, meaningful change within the Bay via the world of performing arts? Join Opera San José’s Development team, where you will play a vital role in ensuring that Opera San José raises over $3 million annually.  

About the Organization 

Now entering its 41st season, Opera San José is one of the leading cultural institutions in Silicon Valley. It is distinctive in maintaining a Resident Company of artists, with onsite Scenic and Costume shops, two apartment complexes for artist housing, and a local scenic warehouse. With a $5.5M budget, Opera San José’s mission and commitment is to incubate talent and innovation across the field. 

Position Overview

The Development Operations & Annual Giving Manager provides critical tactical and strategic support to the entire development team, primarily focusing on gift and data management operations, reporting, donor stewardship and interdepartmental communications.  You will provide specific support to the Director of Development while maintaining the development communications calendar in collaboration with our OSJ’s marketing team. This position creates annual giving strategy that integrates into OSJ’s development goals and crafts stewardship plans to retain donors.  You will serve as a critical partner on the events team, assisting with invitations, registration, on-site execution, and reporting. Ultimately, this position plays a vital role in nearly every facet of the team, providing the unique ability to create incredible impact across the organization. 

Team Overview

While reporting to and partnering closely with the DoD, you will also collaborate closely with the Major Gifts Officer to inspire success. You will join a passionate, experienced team driving incredible results with tangible impact. Together, this team inspires more than $3 million in annual contributed income from thousands of individual and institutional partners. Celebrating dual passions for the performing arts and an exceptional experience for OSJ constituents, this team elevates the OSJ brand by empowering philanthropic investment from community partners, thereby ensuring transformational impact for and by Silicon Valley.

Key Responsibilities

Annual Fund campaign management, stewardship & strategy: -50%

• Oversee the management of our Annual Fund giving campaigns, focusing on donations under $5,000, utilizing integrated strategies such as direct mail, email, and appeals tied to subscriptions/tickets.
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Development to devise effective Annual Fund fundraising strategies to enhance donor acquisition and retention, foster deeper donor engagement, and expand our base of individual donor support.
• Formulate and execute an annual cultivation and communications plan for Annual Fund donors, leveraging data insights and storytelling techniques to enhance donor relationships.
• Craft compelling content for Annual Fund collateral, solicitation letters, email appeals, acknowledgment letters, and digital platforms (including email, website, and social media).
• Manage the production of the annual Fund printed and digital materials for both mail and online campaigns, liaising with graphic design teams and external vendors as necessary.
• Utilize data analytics to pinpoint target audience segments for fundraising appeals, ensuring a targeted and effective approach.
• Foster collaboration with various departments, including marketing, front of house, box office, and artistic teams, to ensure a cohesive and patron-centered approach to communication, solicitation efforts, and patron interactions. Insure individual donor benefits fulfillment, including accurate recognition. 
• Increase touchpoints and engagement opportunities for Annual Fund donors, particularly $500-2,499 donors. 

Manage Data Tracking and Reporting -30%

• Serve as the Tessitura Power User and expert for the Development department 
• Generate multiple reporting channels, serving as a data expert for the team:
• Weekly reports, utilized in partnership with the DoD to maintain accurate projections
• Acknowledgment reports for letters requiring merges and printing on a weekly basis. 
• Donor research reports for frontline fundraisers using internet resources as well as Tessitura
• Establish campaigns in Tess for appropriate fiscal years and ensure all campaigns are linked to the correct general ledger accounts
• Build and maintain all appeals in Tess, including all events with proper promotions and source codes
• Manages donor listings for all mainstage programs. 

Events- 10%

• Participate at all signature events and assist at donor/volunteer events as needed. 
• Assist with Donor Lounge logistics and management.
• Attend multiple on-site events both in the evenings and on weekends as necessary
• Provide on-site support with check-in, necessary reports, and logistic support 
• Assist with event reconciliation, RSVP, and preparation
• Oversee the promotion (mail, email, and onsite) and registration for the donor travel program

Prospect Research- 10%

• Conduct thorough research to identify and qualify potential individual and legacy donors.  Assist with grant strategy for foundations and support corporate outreach.

Preferred Experience & Skills 

• BA Degree and 3+ years experience, or at least 5 years prior experience working in the non-profit sector 
• Working knowledge and use of CRM database systems 
• Strong customer service experience 
• Exceptional attention to detail and follow-through 
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve and manage multiple tasks simultaneously 
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills 
• Demonstrated success working collaboratively and cooperatively with others as part
• of a team 
• Maintain confidentiality 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Applications

Compensation

Opera San José offers competitive wages for its industry and location. This position is classified as full-time exempt with a salary range of $75,000 to $85,000, depending on expertise and experience. This position is eligible for company benefits, including 15 days of vacation, generous sick and holiday time, 403b savings with a 3% match, employer-sponsored health plans with a shared premium, and pre-tax flexible spending accounts. Professional development opportunities are available and encouraged for all employees. Benefits may change from time to time as Management determines

Work Location & Schedule

This position has the flexibility to work a hybrid schedule with work being done both remotely and on-site at Opera San José's offices at 2149 Paragon Drive, San Jose, CA, and on performance days, at the California Theatre Box Office at 345 S 1st Street, San Jose CA. Regular business hours are Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm with evening and weekend work during seasonal high-volume periods. There are 24 performances annually, which are evenings or weekend matinees. Travel around the Bay Area for additional donor events will also be expected. The ideal candidate for this role must live or be willing to live in the San Jose/Bay Area. 

Company Culture

Opera San José, in desiring a more equitable world, is committed to fostering equity in our art form. Opera in the twenty-first century can and should demonstrate today’s values of equity and inclusion. We believe in building, fostering and sustaining a company that reflects, celebrates and serves the diverse communities of the Bay Area. Opera San José cultivates a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork and respect among all employees. We are firmly committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds may grow personally and professionally. 

Opera San José is an equal opportunity employer. It is our strong belief that equal opportunity for all employees is central to the continuing success of our organization. We will not discriminate against an employee or applicant for employment because of race, religion, gender, national origin, ethnicity, age, physical disabilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, or veteran status in hiring, promoting, training, benefits, recommendations, rate of pay or other forms of compensation. Opportunity is provided to all employees based on qualifications and job requirements. 

To Apply:

Please visit https://www.operasj.org/about-us/careers and submit your cover letter and resume. If you have questions about the position feel free to email careers@operasj.org.