Earl R. Merrill: Associate Vice President of Development, Pacific Symphony

We are seeking an Associate Vice President of Development (AVP) to work closely with the Vice President of Development to improve fundraising infrastructure and to ensure that all fundraising goals are met.

Founded in 1978, Pacific Symphony enriches the human spirit through superior performances of classical and symphonic music. It is a highly dynamic and innovative organization led artistically by Music Director Carl St.Clair and operationally by President John Forsyte.

ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT

BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Associate Vice President of Development (AVP) works closely with the Vice President of Development to improve fundraising infrastructure and ensure that all fundraising goals are met. The AVP will develop, manage, implement and evaluate an overall fundraising program consistent with the Symphony’s goals. The AVP of Development is accountable for leading the nearly $10 million annual fund, managing all forms of giving including: individuals, foundations, corporations, support groups and special events.

The Associate Vice President of Development helps to develop strategies and leads initiatives for all fundraising goals, including: the annual fund, special campaigns, multi-year commitments to operating fund, and special events support. This position provides strategic and tactical planning for the entire Development Department, with direction from the Vice President of Development. In addition, this position works closely with volunteers through support groups as well as committees for fundraising and special events.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Plan, manage, and implement all phases of the nearly $10 million Annual Fund campaign.
The AVP will regularly assess current fundraising efforts, including individual and corporate giving opportunities; provide leadership to ensure initiatives are supported and make revisions to strategies where appropriate.
Work with the Vice President to develop a multi-year plan for achieving development goals and establish a master calendar that outlines all fund-raising events and campaigns
Establish work plans, performance objectives, and metrics for direct reports and regularly review performance, professional development and training to achieve those goals.
In partnership with the Vice President of Development, the Associate Vice President of Development will hire, manage, establish goals and accountability and evaluate the performance of development staff direct reports and indirect reports.
Collaborate with the Vice President of Development and the Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations to create and implement a “patron relationship” program that enhances the entire experience for patrons beginning with the ordering of tickets to increase retention, frequency of attendance and number and size of contributions.
Serve as a fiscal officer to the Annual Fund income and department expenses.
Lead development officers with clear tracking measures, quality calls and growth calls objectives aligned with department fundraising goals.
Help to develop the Governing Members program and take responsibility for the administration and oversight for this new donor engagement program.
Identify and cultivate, with the Senior Director of Individual Giving & Major Gifts, candidates for the Board of Counselors.
Work with the Vice President of Development, Senior Director of Individual Giving & Major Gifts, and Director of Special Events to create and maintain a pipeline of volunteers to chair major fundraising events and serve on committees for major events.
Manage a donor portfolio that includes: Maestro Society donors and prospects; planned giving donors and prospects. Manage relationships through personal visits, calls, notes, and volunteers where appropriate.
Work with the Vice President of Development, Senior Executive for Special Campaigns & Major Gifts and Senior Director of Individual Giving & Major Gifts to ensure that all donors are approached about including the Symphony in their estate plans.
Collaborate with the Vice President of Development and Senior Director of Individual Giving & Major Gifts to identify, recruit, and train volunteers to cultivate and solicit major donors on behalf of the orchestra.
Work with the Development team to create and implement donor recognition activities for high-end donors.
In conjunction with the Vice President of Development, support the President in managing his fundraising prospects and donor pipeline to promote gift fulfillment.
In collaboration with the President, Vice President of Development, Director of Institutional Giving and Director of Special Events, work with current and potential corporate sponsors including renewals, upgrades, proposals, and ensuring that all benefits are fulfilled beyond what is promised.
In conjunction with the Vice President of Development and other development officers, responsible for securing sponsors and selling tables for all Elevated Special Events.
Oversee the work of Development Tessitura Associate and work with Tessitura database system for Development ensuring that gifts are entered correctly, that staff is trained sufficiently and that accounts are regularly reconciled with Finance.
Work with the Box Circle & VIP Concierge to manage Box Circle Club inventory for Classics and Pops concerts – releases, upgrades and sales.
In collaboration with the VP of Development and the CFO, create and manage revenue and expense budgets for the department; manage pipelines; update projections as needed; control expenses as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:
An accomplished senior development officer with an impressive record in securing significant gifts, the Associate Vice President of Development must be equally skilled in managing an annual fund campaign, staff and budgets. The ideal candidate is a respected manager/ coach/ leader who leads others through example, and who successfully works with Board members and other high-level donors to facilitate the donor’s ability to achieve personal fulfillment through philanthropy. The Associate Vice President must also be an expert development planner/strategist capable of elevating the entire development department’s capabilities. Must be willing and capable of working with individuals, corporations, foundations, volunteers, volunteer committees and special events.

REPORTS TO: Vice President of Development & External Relations

STATUS: Salary-Exempt

COMPENSATION: Commensurate with experience.

BENEFITS OFFERED: Pacific Symphony offers a complete health benefits package, paid vacation and sick, paid holidays, and a 401(k) plan.

APPLY TO: GCox, Vice President of Development & External Relations
GCox@PacificSymphony.org

Or US Mail to:
Gregory Cox – Confidential Search
Pacific Symphony
17620 Fitch, Suite 100
Irvine, CA 92614

No phone calls please
www.pacificsymphony.org

ORGANIZATION HISTORY:
Founded in 1978, Pacific Symphony enriches the human spirit through superior performances of classical and symphonic music. It is a highly dynamic and innovative organization, led artistically by Music Director Carl St.Clair and operationally by President John Forsyte. It presents more than 100 concerts annually and serves close to 300,000 community members each year. The Pacific Symphony is nationally and internationally recognized for performance excellence, strong community engagement through education and other programming, and the commissioning of new works by contemporary composers. Pacific Symphony twice received prestigious ASCAP Awards for Adventuresome Programming, and it was showcased in the League of American Orchestras’ nationally released publication, Fearless Journeys: Innovation in Five American Orchestras. Pacific Symphony’s Class Act elementary school enrichment program has been honored by the National Endowment for the Arts and the League of American Orchestras for its exemplary orchestra education.

Resident for much of the year at the renowned Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, the Symphony also presents a summer outdoor series at Costa Mesa’s Pacific Amphitheater. In the 2018-19 season, Music Director Carl St.Clair will be celebrating his 29th Anniversary with the Pacific Symphony, while Principal Pops Conductor Richard Kaufman is celebrating his 27th season leading the Pops series, which stars some of the world’s leading entertainers.

For 29 consecutive years the Symphony has balanced its budget and has no accumulated debt. It employs an administrative staff of sixty, including ten development professionals. The current annual operating budget is approximately $20 million with nearly $8 million earned through ticket sales, contracted services, education programs, the endowment, and various other earned sources. About $10 million of the Symphony’s budget is generated through annual fund contributed income.

COMMUNITY:
Pacific Symphony is located in Orange County, California’s second most populous county boasting a rich arts tradition strongly supported by an engaged public. Known around the world as “The OC,” Orange County envelops the visitor in the ultimate Southern California lifestyle…casual sophistication, pristine beaches, legendary theme parks, and endless options for fun in the sun or cultural exploration. The OC is known for its ideal year-round climate with an average daily temperature of 70 degrees. With sun-soaked days and star-filled nights, OC visitors and residents are immersed in the real California dream.

Just minutes from The OC’s 42 miles of beaches, there are magical adventures and adrenaline pumping rides at the original Disneyland Resort, and the always-thrilling Knott’s Berry Farm. OC Parks offers sprawling wilderness and nature parks, perfect for recreation of the sun-soaked variety, with miles of trails and coastal preserves to explore.

The level of arts and entertainment found in The OC is equally unmatched. For sports fans, Anaheim offers professional baseball, hockey, and indoor soccer, with something for everyone all year round. Costa Mesa is home to fabulous performing arts venues featuring Broadway musicals, international operas, new theatrical plays, and innovative dance productions. Laguna Beach houses an abundance of thriving art galleries and The OC’s most famous summer and winter art festivals.

Newsweek Magazine’s 2013 list of America’s top high schools included 22 Orange County public high schools ranked in the California top 100, tied for first in the state. Orange County is also home to several nationally recognized private high schools. The OC’s strong university system – including the University of California, Irvine, and Chapman University – has helped contribute to the fact that 37% of its residents over the age of 25 have a bachelor’s degree or higher, ranking it as one of the top five regions in the nation for college educated residents. In addition, Orange County’s economic strength is reflected in its low unemployment rate, which consistently runs lower than that of the statewide average.

Source: www.visittheoc.com