The Grand Rapids Symphony seeks a full-time Vice President of Development to join our team. Reporting to the President & CEO, the Vice President of Development plans and executes a comprehensive development program to ensure that the Grand Rapids Symphony achieves its annual and long-term goals for contributed income from all sources. This is a full-time, professional position and includes frequent evening and weekend hours.

Key Responsibilities

• Manages, inspires, and motivates a development team to reach and exceed annual development goals of $4.5 to $5 million, approximately 50% of the Symphony’s annual budget.
• Leads major gift solicitation efforts and oversees development from corporations, foundations, individuals, planned giving, and special events. Designs and executes special fundraising campaigns, as requested.
• Works closely with the President & CEO and board leadership in identifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors, as well as providing excellent stewardship for gifts. Provides guidance and support to the fundraising efforts of the Board of Directors, as well as the Board’s Nominations and Governance Committee.
• Ensures that the needed systems and processes are in place for recording, acknowledging, and reporting gifts, as well as complying with grant requirements, donor expectations, audit requirements, and government regulations.
• Achieves departmental budget outcomes and engages in appropriate cash management forecasting.
• Ensures the highest standards of professionalism are maintained in all development activities.
• Works collaboratively and cross-departmentally to ensure a graduated patron/donor continuum of experience for patrons/donors.
• Acts as an integral part of the senior leadership team; ensures all constituencies of the Grand Rapids Symphony are fully aligned around vision, mission, and values in serving their art and community.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the President & CEO.

Skills and Qualifications:

• A minimum of 5-10 years of major gift fundraising experience is required, with a demonstrated ability to build, nurture, and sustain relationships that match funding opportunities with the interests of individual donors.
• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred. In lieu of education, relevant experience and/or professional certifications (i.e. CFRE) will also be considered.
• Experience as a development officer or senior executive of an arts organization preferred.
• Strategic thinker with excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to speak and write persuasively; excellent listening skills with a genuine interest in the passions, ideas, and accomplishments of the Symphony’s current and potential stakeholders.
• Excellent personnel management and supervisory skills, as well as demonstrated ability to work effectively with volunteer leadership and Board committees.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to manage sensitive and confidential situations with professionalism and diplomacy.
• Skilled and experienced in working with diverse community populations and organizations; our candidate will possess a strong commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values of the Grand Rapids Symphony.
• Creative, curious, flexible, and persistent; a person of the highest integrity and ethical standards.

What we’re offering:

• Salary Range: $100,000 to $115,000.
• Benefits include health, vision, and dental insurance with HRA and FSA options, 100% paid long-term disability and life Insurance, generous paid time off and holiday schedule, subsidized downtown parking, and 401k.

For complete information about the Grand Rapids Symphony visit www.grsymphony.org.

We are an equal opportunity employer. The Grand Rapids Symphony is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in all facets of the organization and welcomes recommendations, nominations, and applications from all qualified candidates.

To apply for this position, please send a resume and cover letter that describes your specific interest in this position and outlines your qualifications to Natalie Schwarting, Assistant Vice President of Administration, via email at NSchwarting@GRSymphony.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and this position will remain open until filled; no phone calls, please.

About Grand Rapids Symphony

Celebrating its 94th season, the Grand Rapids Symphony is Michigan’s second largest performing arts organization and has received national recognition for the high quality of its concerts as well as Gateway to Music, a network of education, engagement, and access programs. The Grand Rapids Symphony presents more than 400 performances and enhances the lives of 200,000 attendees annually. Nearly half of those who participate are students, senior citizens and people with disabilities reached through inclusive education and access programs.

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