Position Summary

The Director of Development will report to the President & CEO and oversee all aspects of the organization’s fundraising activities.  The Director of Development will plan and supervise all annual fundraising appeals; cultivate and solicit gifts from individual donors, including major gifts, planned gifts, and capital campaign contributions; and develop corporate, foundation, and government support. They will partner with the Board of Trustees and the Development Committee to plan and implement special fundraising programs and campaigns. The Director of Development will oversee a team of four, fostering a high-performing, collaborative department.

Role and Responsibilities

Development Leadership and Planning

1. Develop, coordinate, and implement a comprehensive annual fundraising plan, including appeals, special events, membership, gifts and grants, sponsorship, endowment, capital, and special projects, with goals, objectives, timelines, and assigned responsibilities to meet the organization’s strategic goals.
2. Create individualized strategies for identifying, engaging, cultivating, and stewarding new, current, and lapsed institutional and individual stakeholders.
3. Grow significant contributed revenue opportunities through cultivating and maintaining strong partnerships with the President & CEO, the Artistic Director, the current Board and Trustees Emeriti, major donors, corporate funders, foundations, and government agencies.
4. Contribute to Rockport Music’s strategic planning efforts, ensuring development initiatives align with long-term organizational goals and priorities, leveraging data to inform and enhance the overarching fundraising strategy, and utilizing fundraising insights to support sustainable growth.
5. Guide, cultivate, and increase the donor and membership base, by creating compelling opportunities for donors and members, actively engaging ticket buyers and subscribers while developing a pipeline for community engagement and support.
6. Maintain knowledge of best practices in nonprofit governance, state and federal laws and regulations, and significant trends in philanthropy, adapting fundraising strategies as necessary.
7. Embrace other development leadership and planning responsibilities, as needed.

Board Engagement

1. Advance a culture of philanthropy within the Board by cultivating strong relationships with members, engaging them as partners, soliciting them for financial support, and leveraging their respective networks to expand support for the organization.
2. Serve as the liaison to the Development Committee, devising strategies that create meaningful paths for Rockport’s community to engage in supporting the organization as donors, advisors, partners, sponsors, and community ambassadors.
3. Ensure efficient and timely development and distribution of agendas and reports to inform decisions that advance Rockport Music’s mission and goals.
4. Advise board members, both individually and collectively, on best practices in community ambassadorship and donor cultivation.
5. Embrace other board engagement responsibilities, as needed.

Team and Organizational Oversight

1. Lead and oversee the development team in creating and promoting effective cultivation and solicitation opportunities that involve the President & CEO, Artistic Director, Board of Trustees, and other staff members.
2. Partner with the Director of Finance to ensure sound fiscal operation of the fundraising function, including timely, accurate, and comprehensive budgeting, monitoring, forecasting, and reporting of charitable contributions and department expenses.
3. Collaborate with the Marketing Department to ensure consistent messaging and outreach strategies as they affect all fundraising efforts.
4. Inspire, coach, lead, and recruit a strong development team.
5. Create a supportive, collaborative, and productive work environment based on respect, teamwork, and the inclusion values of the organization.
6. Oversee the strategic management and use of the database and other development communication tools, coordinating communications with existing and potential donors to ensure the highest level of donor engagement and satisfaction.
7. Ensure high-quality, individualized, and meaningful stewardship of donors, coordinating with the development team, other staff members, and the Board of Directors, and personally stewarding donors, as needed.
8. Embrace other team and organizational oversight responsibilities, as needed.

Traits and Characteristics

The Director of Development will be an exceptional communicator and relationship-builder, experienced in collaborating across teams to strengthen connections with supporters and expand the organization’s reach. They will be comfortable in a range of social settings and connect with the diverse community constituencies in a genuine and meaningful way. Encouraging an environment of trust and communication, in which all are valued and respected, the Director of Development will be transparent and direct, supporting teamwork and collaboration. They will have a strong ability to perform complex functions and will be driven by practical results and return on their investment of time, energy, and resources. With a strong acumen to discern systems and apply practical thinking, they can work in financial settings that require accuracy and attention to detail and will lead by example in all aspects of their work.

Other key competencies include:

1. Diplomacy – Effectively utilizes tact and diplomacy in working with people across hierarchical, functional and/or cultural borders.
2. Time and Priority Management – Effectively manages difficulties and delays to complete tasks on time and reduces the amount of time spent on non-priorities.
3. Planning and Organizing – Works effectively within established systems and utilizes logical, practical, and efficient approaches, prioritizing tasks for optimum productivity.
4. Leadership and Teamwork – The ability to inspire, build trust, and lead with confidence while cooperating with others to set and reach common goals.
5. Donor Focus & Personal Accountability – Strives to anticipate, identify, and understand donors’ wants, needs, and concerns, and accepts personal responsibility for actions and results.

Qualifications

A seasoned development professional, with a passion and commitment to the mission and core values of Rockport Music, they will have proven success and expertise in all areas of fundraising, including Annual Fund, Corporate, Foundation, and Government Giving, Major Gifts, Events, Planned Giving, and Capital Campaigns. Five to seven years of senior leadership experience and proven success in fundraising across giving categories is essential. Experience inspiring, leading, and mentoring a team of fundraisers is required. Technical proficiency with donor management and identification is necessary. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required. Experience in, and a broad understanding of, classical music and other genres of music is very desirable. A background in nonprofit organizations, preferably arts organizations, is highly desirable. Proficiency with or willingness to learn Tessitura is required. If you do not meet all the qualifications but possess transferable or equivalent skills, experience, or education, we encourage you to apply and highlight those areas.

Compensation and Benefits

Rockport Music provides a competitive and equitable compensation package with an estimated salary in the range of $130,000 to $145,000. Benefits include paid time off and holidays; subsidized health, dental, and vision insurances; life insurance; 401(k) matching up to 3%; and Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave, among others. Employees may also elect a Flexible Spending Account, short- and long-term disability, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal insurances.

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