Director of Development

Director of Development

Conspirare, a GRAMMY award winning professional choir under the direction of Craig Hella Johnson, is seeking its next Director of Development. This position provides strategic vision for Conspirare’s fundraising and is a key relationship manager for Conspirare contributors.

Funds raised will support the work of a world-class arts organization that performs locally, regionally, and nationally and has released recordings on major labels. The Director of Development will be a key partner in expanding Conspirare’s fundraising operations as we build our contributed revenue in a sustainable way and look towards future expansion as the company grows. The Director establishes relationships with current and prospective individual donors, foundations and corporations and will be personally responsible for the annual giving program and major gifts. This position will develop and cultivate a portfolio of donors in tandem with the Conspirare leadership.

Conspirare is in the final stages of its strategic planning process. The individual in this position will have the opportunity to grow with the company and take on significant new responsibilities as the plan progresses. This position is crafted for a professional fundraiser with a broad base of development experience and the ability to think strategically. The Director of Development reports to the Managing Director. The director works closely with the Resource Development Committee of the board and will help mobilize the board in Conspirare’s stewardship and fundraising efforts. The DoD supervises a development specialist, contract grant writer, and development functions managed by the Conspirare Concierge.

The Director of Development play a key role in realizing Conspirare’s vision to create world-class dynamic choral art. The ideal candidate is eager to build upon an established pipeline and sustainable giving program to create and implement a donor- centric fundraising vision that includes opportunities to support artistic collaborations with guest artists, composers, and directors, while also building organizational infrastructure. This candidate is ready to create and utilize cutting-edge strategies and build upon existing season and concert sponsorship programs. Arts background strongly preferred.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive development plan

• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and contributors

• Manage the annual giving campaign

• Supervise the development team

• Maintain grant calendars for application and reporting deadlines; manage part- time grant writer

• Help conceptualize and develop corporate, foundation, and government grant proposals to local and national funders; research and cultivate new institutional funding sources; assist with compiling and writing reports for institutional funders

• Direct cultivation efforts of key board members and staff to carry out overall solicitation strategy

• Serve as a liaison to the Board’s Resource Development Committee, preparing assignments, agendas and priorities; communicate regularly with Conspirare leadership, providing monthly progress reports

• Oversee and organize cultivation events and other special events locally, regionally and beyond (galas, opening nights, closed rehearsal receptions, etc…)

• Work closely with finance and other departments to obtain and/or develop project budgets; obtain copies of audits, IRS Form 990s, and other required supplemental materials; and maintain the company’s presence on Guidestar and other comparable philanthropic outlets

• Regularly provide income reports and forecasts to Conspirare leadership

• Work with Conspirare leadership in establishing annual and project budgets

• Play a leadership role in planning and executing future Conspirare capital campaigns

• Perform other duties as assigned

Job Requirements

A passionate, genuine commitment to the vision, mission and values of Conspirare. A minimum of five to seven years of progressively responsible development experience, including time spent as a major gifts officer and annual fund manager; management experience also required. Proven success in fundraising with a demonstrated track record of exceeding budgets and expectations. Must be proficient at all elements of the cultivation process including a consistent track record of closing solicitations.

Knowledge of the Austin fundraising community including corporate, government, foundation, and individual giving. Must be driven, a self–starter, and be well organized with excellent interpersonal skills; imaginative and innovative to create new and unique fundraising opportunities. Must appreciate the art form of choral music and translate that appreciation into realized support of the organization. CFRE preferred. Arts background preferred.

Proficiency in DonorPerfect or other fundraising software, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required. Ability to attend performances, cultivation and fundraising events, many of which are on the evenings and weekends, is required.

Compensation

The base salary for this position is $85,000 per year plus benefits. Negotiable, based upon experience.

Conspirare is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. To apply, please send a resume, cover letter and three references in PDF format to jobs@conspirare.org. Please put “Director of Development” in the subject field.