Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer

REPORTS TO: President and CEO

DIRECT REPORTS: Associate Vice President, Philanthropy and
Senior Director, Campaign and Stewardship

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO) serves
as a key leadership team member and an active participant in making
strategic decisions affecting the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
(SLSO). The CPO will create and sustain a culture of philanthropy,
serving as a key partner and thought leader with the CEO to engage
the Board and Advisory Council, and lead the staff and volunteers
in the implementation of a near and long-term fund development
strategy that advances the SLSO in delivering on its mission.

The CPO will excel in forging relationships that build the
organization’s visibility, impact, and financial resources. The CPO
will design and manage a comprehensive plan that aligns and
leverages staff and volunteer relationships with current and
prospective donors, deepening relationships and driving
philanthropic revenues.   They will lead and manage the
comprehensive philanthropy strategy, using research and metrics to
engage new foundations, corporations, and individual donors, and to
secure increased investment from current donors. The CPO will lead
all donor communications strategies, crafting a compelling case for
support, in alignment with the SLSO brand, and enforcing consistent
messaging across all donor communication platforms.

The CPO will have primary responsibility for establishing and
implementing the infrastructure needed to support a $32M budget,
grow the $8M Annual Fund and oversee a Capital Campaign effort to
renovate and expand Powell Hall, the SLSO’s home in Grand Center.
The SLSO Philanthropy program engages a comprehensive range of
development activities including the solicitation of leadership and
major gifts, annual giving, legacy giving, corporate and foundation
support and sponsorship, government- based grants, and special
events. The CPO will excel in attracting, retaining and mentoring a
high-performing staff team to achieve ambitious fundraising goals,
to build development systems, policies and processes that support
best practices in all aspects of fund solicitation and donor
stewardship.

This position reports to the CEO, supervises all philanthropy
team staff through two direct reports (Associate VP, Philanthropy
and Senior Director, Stewardship and Campaign) and serves as a
development resource throughout the organization. This position
requires a creative, collaborative and results-oriented leader
whose passion for the SLSO and music is matched with strong
leadership, outstanding interpersonal skills, crisp decision-making
in the face of complex challenges, and a proven track record of
non-profit fundraising.

SCOPE OF POSITION

Leadership:

·       Formulate short- and
long-term goals driving the fundraising needs of the organization.
Develop actionable strategies for meeting and exceeding fundraising
goals for annual giving, campaign, and legacy giving efforts
through individual support and through foundation, corporate, and
public sector investment.

·       Working with the President
and CEO, Orchestra Board leadership and the executive team, provide
strategy, leadership and analysis to support the future success of
the SLSO.

·       Develop philanthropy
strategies and oversee all SLSO fundraising programs and
stewardship efforts, as well as the Symphony Volunteer Association
(SVA), the Campaign Task Force and Cabinet, the Philanthropy
Committee and all board committees and task forces formed in
support of philanthropic goals.

·       Manage, organize, and
direct the development team to best approach a comprehensive
philanthropic program.

Management:

·       Analyze revenue and
fundraising trends to build a progressively successful
philanthropic program. Discover new and potentially promising
revenue sources.

·       Cultivate and steward
major donor relationships through responsive communication, updates
and invitations.

·       Exercise exceptional time
management skills and meet fundraising deadlines.

·       Demonstrate exceptional
communication and relationship-development skills. Motivate staff
and volunteer teams to cohesive, results-oriented action.

·       Establish budget-related
performance measures, monitor results, and evaluate and improve the
fund development program.

·       Assure design and accuracy
of philanthropic database records, gift management systems, and
informational reports.

Community Impact:

·       Work with a wide variety
of potential donors and supporters, relying on strong interpersonal
skills.

·       Speak publicly as a key
SLSO representative and increase awareness through outreach efforts
in support of SLSO’s media relation efforts.

·       Help identify, cultivate,
recruit, train, and develop fundraising volunteers and
leadership.

Organization/Board Resource Development:

·       Maintain accountability
and ensure compliance with all regulations and laws, as well as the
code of ethics for fundraising professionals.

·       Ensure that all
philanthropy and fund development activities align with the
organization’s values, mission, vision, and plans.

·       Participate with the CEO,
staff and board in charting the organization’s course in fund
development and governance. Lead the efforts of the Philanthropy
Committee, the Leadership Circle Committee, the Campaign Task Force
and Cabinet and all other board committees and task forces created
in support of philanthropic efforts.

·       Keep informed of
developments in philanthropy and fund development as well as
management and the not-for-profit sector; recommend policy
positions concerning fund development.

POSITION QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

·       Bachelor’s degree in a
related field. Advanced degree preferred.

·       10 years of direct
experience and a proven track record in the leadership of a major,
comprehensive fund development program. At least 7 years of
supervisory experience, with a proven track record of successful
management and retention of employees and experience establishing
goals and metrics to evaluate strategies and team
effectiveness.

·       Knowledge of orchestral
music and performing arts is preferred.

·       Strategic thinker and
proven fundraiser with strong organizational and budgeting
skills.

·       Ability to engender the
trust and confidence of the CEO, board members, senior leadership
team, staff, and donors in achieving fully integrated philanthropy
across the organization.

·       Display a proven ability
to lead staff through a department transition, including planning
and organizing, evaluation and analysis, effective decision-making,
motivating and supervising staff. Exemplary ability to delegate
assignments to subordinate staff. Ability to work in a
collaborative setting with a strong senior management team.

·       Ability to perform
difficult, highly complex, or highly technical projects. Requires
broad conceptual judgment and initiative and to work with extremely
sensitive and confidential data of major importance where utmost
integrity is required.

·       Exceptional skills in
written and verbal communications and the ability to convey ideas
that motivate and inspire others to action.

·       Proficiency in the use of
computer-based fundraising management tools, Microsoft Word, Excel,
Outlook, and PowerPoint. Tessitura proficiency strongly preferred.
Ability to embrace new technology.

APPLICATION
PROCESS:
Along with your
resume, please include a letter of interest that details your
background leading major fund development programs, philanthropic
strategies, and large groups of people. This position includes a
competitive salary commensurate with experience and a generous
benefit package. Please include your salary expectations in your
letter.

​ The SLSO embraces a world in which every life is enriched
through the power of music. We are committed to cultivating a
culture of inclusion and connectedness where a diverse team of
employees can grow and thrive. The collective sum of our employees’
individual differences, experiences, knowledge, self-expression,
and talent are represented in our culture, innovative spirit and
the SLSO’s achievements. In recruiting for our team, we welcome
candidates’ uniqueness in culture, social identities, expression,
and viewpoints. The SLSO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ​

About the St. Louis Symphony
Orchestra

Celebrated as one of today’s most exciting and enduring
orchestras, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest
orchestra in the country, marking its 144th year with the 2023/2024
season and its fifth with https://www.slso.org/en/musicians-slso/deneve/”
href=”https://www.slso.org/en/musicians-slso/deneve/”>Stéphane
Denève, The Joseph and Emily Rauh Pulitzer Music
Director. Widely considered one of the leading American
orchestras, the Grammy® Award-winning SLSO maintains its
commitment to artistic excellence, educational impact, and
community collaborations—all in service to its mission of enriching
lives through the power of music. 

The core of the SLSO’s artistic foundation is its dynamic
partnership with Denève, whose energetic musicianship, visionary
storytelling, and collaborative spirit have created stronger
connections with local and visiting artists, as well as advanced
the SLSO’s role as a leader in music education. The SLSO musical
family also includes two resident choruses: the St. Louis Symphony
Chorus, founded in 1976, performs choral-orchestral music from the
Baroque era to today; and the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus,
founded in 1994, focuses on the performance and preservation of
music from the African diaspora. The St. Louis Symphony Youth
Orchestra, founded by Conductor Laureate Leonard Slatkin in 1970,
is the region’s premiere training orchestra for high school and
college students.

In March 2023, the SLSO broke ground on a 65,000-square foot
expansion and renovation of the orchestra’s home, Powell Hall—the
first major renovation project at the historic Grand Center
building since it became the SLSO’s permanent home in
1968. Led by the internationally acclaimed architecture firm
Snøhetta, the project will transform the audience and artistic
experience while protecting Powell Hall’s historic character and
celebrated acoustics, creating a state-of-the art center for
community, innovation, and powerful music experiences. While
construction is underway, the SLSO will perform throughout the
community. The revitalized Powell Hall will open in 2025 to
coincide with the building’s centennial.

An integral part of the vibrant St. Louis community, the SLSO
enjoys a long history of robust and enduring artistic
collaborations with individuals and organizations locally and
around the world. Orchestra musicians share dozens of education and
community performances throughout the region each year at medical
facilities, places of worship, community centers, and schools. For
20 years, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Live at the
Pulitzer​series has highlighted today’s leading musical
voices through innovative performances in collaboration with, and
reaction to the exhibitions at, the Pulitzer Arts Foundation. The
SLSO has served as the resident orchestra for Opera Theatre of
Saint Louis for more than 45 years. The orchestra also continues to
foster new artistic collaborations, including a chamber music
collaboration with The Sheldon in 2023/2024, as well as regular
partnerships with The Muny, The Big Muddy Dance Company, the Saint
Louis Art Museum, and others. Beyond the St. Louis region, the
SLSO’s impact is realized through Saturday night concert
broadcasts on St. Louis Public Radio and Classic 107.3, acclaimed
recordings, regular touring activity, and a digital portfolio that
includes a robust online education platform with curriculum
materials, interactive programs, activities, and learning
opportunities for all ages.

Since the arrival of Marie-Hélène Bernard as President and CEO
in 2015, the SLSO has aligned its mission to make music more
accessible, while fostering a culture welcoming to all. Building on
its momentum, the SLSO serves as a convener of individuals,
creators, and ideas, and is committed to building community through
compelling and inclusive musical experiences. As it continues its
longstanding focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, and access, the
SLSO embraces its strengths as a responsive, nimble organization,
while investing in partnerships locally and elevating its presence
globally. For more information, visit slso.org.