Earl R. Merrill: New Jersey Symphony Orchestra: Vice President of Development

As an integral part of the musical landscape in the country’s most vibrant cultural corridor, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) continues to enrich lives through a passion for musical excellence and a commitment to New Jersey, its people, and its communities. Reporting to the President & CEO, the Vice President of Development will be an integral part of the NJSO’s senior management team.

The Vice President of Development will provide an extraordinary opportunity at a pivotal moment in the institution’s storied history for an ambitious and entrepreneurial fundraising professional to lead a dynamic mission-aligned team of staff, volunteers, and artists in the planning and implementation of a multi-year comprehensive campaign. Reporting to the President & CEO, the Vice President of Development will be an integral part of the NJSO’s senior management team. This individual will work closely with organizational and community leadership to expand contributed income opportunities as well as NJSO’s donor base by building on the strong foundation of successful patron-centered advancement activities that are already in place.

Roles and Responsibilities

Donor Cultivation and Engagement

Inspire and guide the efforts of the development, campaign, special events, and other fundraising or project committees.
Develop trust and build relationships with a portfolio of key donors and high-level prospects interested in helping advance the NJSO’s mission.
Create and deliver a comprehensive prospecting effort with staff and volunteer teams to identify and engage potential new supporters.
Expand the NJSO’s culture of philanthropy by ensuring donors receive ongoing cultivation and stewardship.
Be a highly visible presence at NJSO and community functions, setting an example as a tireless and proactive advocate for the NJSO’s artistic and community impact and facilitating connections with donors and prospects.
Embrace other donor cultivation and engagement responsibilities as needed.

Development Strategy and Operations

Serve as a thought leader and partner, collaborating with the NJSO’s executive team, volunteer leadership, and staff to advance key organizational and development strategies to meet or exceed fundraising goals.
Efficiently organize and implement a departmental work plan to achieve annual and campaign goals.
Hire, train, supervise, and mentor development staff, mobilize volunteers, and oversee the effective use of financial and technological resources to achieve the organization’s contributed revenue goals and objectives.
Set clear expectations with the development staff, motivate and inspire the team, assist in their professional development, and maintain the highest level of professionalism.
Prepare and monitor revenue and expense budgets, provide accurate reporting and analysis, and oversee the accurate maintenance of donor and prospect records.
Ensure appropriate departmental structure to support the ongoing fundraising operations of the NJSO.
Embrace other development strategy and operations responsibilities as needed.

Public Visibility and Campaign Messaging

Direct efforts to refine and implement development initiatives in the NJSO’s strategic plan and focus on achievable objectives to advance long-range departmental goals.
Assess and refine current development practices to ensure maximum efficiency and results.
Oversee the production of all development collateral, including copy and design of donor materials, and work closely with the marketing team to ensure consistent branding and messaging.
Lead the staff in utilizing data to analyze donor capacity and fundraising results and integrate campaign case statement messaging into the overall organizational brand strategy.
Develop relationships with all key colleagues and personnel to support annual giving programs, campaign efforts, sponsorships, and special events and to create donor stewardship and recognition opportunities.
Embrace other public visibility and campaign messaging responsibilities as needed.

Traits and Characteristics
The Vice President of Development will be a confident frontline fundraiser and strategic thinker with a strong passion for music and the arts. The selected individual will bring energy and a well-rounded array of fundraising competencies to inspire, guide, and mentor an effective development team committed to advancing the NJSO’s mission. A creative leader with an optimistic and positive demeanor, the Vice President of Development will be comfortable taking initiative and challenging preconceptions. This self-directed individual will exhibit a drive for excellence and will be motivated by a desire to learn and implement best practices to achieve ambitious fundraising goals. The Vice President of Development will possess keen prospecting skills along with the ability to effectively cultivate and solicit high-level donor prospects.

Other key competencies include:

Donor Focus – Displays superior interpersonal and communication skills and articulates strong and compelling customized messages to generate enthusiasm and financial support among a wide array of stakeholders.
Leadership – Develops positive relationships and works effectively with a wide range of people at varying levels of the organization to achieve results.
Problem Solving – Anticipates, identifies, and resolves problems regardless of obstacles.

Qualifications
Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree preferred, plus a minimum of eight years of progressively responsible senior development expertise in the arts, arts education, or a related field. Experience with a significant capital or endowment campaign is strongly preferred. Candidates should have a well-rounded knowledge of and proven track record in major and individual gifts, institutional support, planned giving, and/or special events. The selected individual will possess strong written and verbal communication skills, demonstrated capacity to lead and motivate both staff and volunteers, and adeptness in building consensus among a diverse set of stakeholders. Candidates must be proficient with Microsoft Office, along with development CRM systems and software. The NJSO development team is currently utilizing Raiser’s Edge. Experience with and knowledge of the New Jersey donor community will be viewed favorably.

Please submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred) to:

Dr. Bruce D. Thibodeau, DBA
President
www.artsconsulting.com
292 Newbury Street, Suite 315
Boston, MA 02115-2801
Tel (888) 234.4236 Ext. 201
Email NJSO@ArtsConsulting.com