As an integral part of the musical landscape in the country’s most vibrant cultural corridor, the New Jersey Symphony (“Symphony”) has for over one hundred years continued to enrich lives through a passion for musical excellence and a commitment to New Jersey and its communities. With an annual operating budget of more than $16 million and a modest endowment, the Symphony currently serves as the resident orchestra of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center with additional performance series in four other outstanding venues throughout New Jersey.

About the Role

The Director of Individual Giving oversees the individual giving program and is a pivotal partner to the Vice President for Development. This role is responsible for developing strategies that provide comprehensive and integrated paths for acquiring and upgrading supporters at every gift level. Working closely with the Vice President of Development, the Director oversees creating and executing an operational plan to meet individual giving fundraising goals. In addition to personally managing a portfolio of approximately 50-75 major and prospective donors, the Director manages, mentors, and helps train the philanthropy officers who work to secure funding for the Symphony’s priorities.

Department: Development

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Reports To: Vice President of Development

Supervises: 1-2 philanthropy officers

Salary Range: $85,000 - $90,000

Core Responsibilities

INDIVIDUAL GIVING PROGRAM

Provide the strategic vision and leadership necessary to build on the strengths of the growing individual giving program to broaden the constituent pool and increase the breadth and scope of support from our current and prospective donors.
In tandem with the VP of Development, responsible for program management including goal setting, budget oversight, and staffing.
Direction of robust annual cultivation and stewardships programs that include the creation and implementation of an annual contact and engagement calendar and communication plan.
Remain current on best practices in individual giving techniques and strategies through independent study, participation in group seminars and workshops, as well as through one-on-one training.

MAJOR GIFTS PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of 50-75 current and prospective donors giving $5,000 and up, with a concentration on building a pipeline of those giving $10,000+.
Build strong personal relationships with your portfolio of donors through in-person meetings, strategic phone calls, personalized email communications, and attendance at concerts and events to cultivate and steward support.
Organize and deploy Board-related solicitations with input from senior Development team members.
Identify donors and prospects for VP of Development and President & CEO to engage via dinner at concerts.

PLANNED GIVING PROGRAM

Oversight of the Symphony’s planned giving recognition program (Laureate Society) and the planned giving campaign.
Provide primary oversight of estate gifts and work with the Symphony Finance team, Planned Giving Council, and other advisors to ensure gifts are properly documented and received.
Promote Charitable Gift Annuity, Endowment, Stocks, Bequest, and other legacy-giving strategies by developing and executing strategic and creative planned giving and marketing pieces, including legacy society newsletter articles, advertisements, solicitations, and brochures, in collaboration with marketing staff.
Research, identify, engage, and solicit donors to secure planned gifts.
Serve as the staff supervisor of the Planned Giving Council including running Council meetings, setting agendas, finding new members, and managing events with department colleagues.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

Help the Individual Giving team execute a detailed strategy and solicitation timeline for the Amadeus Circle and Symphony Friends programs.
Conduct annual goal setting and reviews for Individual Giving team members.
Provide support and structure for the department’s assessment process to ensure ongoing evaluation and continuous improvement of programs and objectives.
Lead bi-weekly operational Individual Giving team meetings and bi-weekly moves management meetings.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree (preferred) or comparable experience.
Minimum of 5 years of successful experience meeting fundraising goals.
Demonstrated track record cultivating and soliciting numerous individual major gifts with a preference for those with experience with planned giving along with campaign planning and execution.
2-3 years’ experience managing a team, with ability to prioritize and monitor work, ensuring deadlines are met.

Preferred Skills

Proficient in MS Office programs and CRM databases such as Tessitura or Raiser’s Edge, along with comfort with virtual meeting platforms and scheduling systems.
Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, results-driven environment where multi-tasking is essential.
Knowledge of philanthropic trends and fundraising landscape in NJ, with an emphasis on Hudson County.
Experience in an arts organization fundraising setting.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills, as well as adept at relationship building and customer service, internally and externally.
Demonstrate a high level of professionalism.
Possess exceptional attention to detail with the ability to think critically about tasks at hand.
Demonstrates appreciation for working in an environment where sensitivity and confidentiality are required.
Independent worker who has a collaborative mindset to engage multiple stakeholders.

Other Info

Must be authorized to work in the US without sponsorship.
Hours are full-time, Monday through Friday. Employees will work a hybrid schedule with three days in the office (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) and the other days remote.
Must be able to physically work in our Newark, NJ, with a move to Jersey City, NJ scheduled for 2026.
Additional evenings and weekends will be required, specifically for working at concerts and events in multiple locations throughout northern and central New Jersey. Comp time is provided for hours worked for night and evening events.
Must have reliable transportation to multiple NJ Symphony performances and event venues and donor meetings.

Benefits: Include medical, dental, and vision healthcare insurance, 403(b) employee contribution, discretionary Board-defined retirement plan (eligible after 2 years of employment), Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contributions, paid time off, paid parking, or partial transit reimbursement.

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Director of Individual Giving