Long Beach Opera is seeking a high-energy Development Director

The Director of Development reports to the Artistic & General Director of the Long Beach Opera and works collaboratively with the Board, its Development Committee and opera staff.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Director of Development (DoD) is responsible for creating, directing and managing all fund raising strategies and programs to further the mission of the Long Beach Opera. The DoD will be responsible for the creating and executing a full range of annual and long term fund development strategies supporting a 2010-11 company budget in excess of $1.5 million, with unearned income budgeted at $750,000, as well as a remaining 2009-10 company budget of $1 million with remaining unearned income budgeted at $170,000.

These strategies will include corporate, foundation and government solicitations, annual donor acquisition and renewal campaigns, donor cultivation and benefit fulfillment, major gift solicitations, planned giving programs, endowment and capital campaigns and special events. Candidate must possess strong interpersonal skills , a team oriented attitude as well as a high-energy approach to problem-solving.

Long Beach Opera ended 2009 in the black, and has ambitious goals for the next decade â€" we intend to grow from a $1 Million budget today to a $1.5 million budget next year, a $3.5 Million budget in 2015, and a $10 Million budget by 2020.

This position is a obviously key to meeting those goals, and we’re looking for someone whose passion and ambition will help us get there.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Fundraising

• Provides leadership for the planning, creating and executing all annual fundraising plans and activities. The activities will include foundation, corporate, government solicitations, individual donor solicitation and cultivation, major gifts, planned giving and special events.

• Prepares comprehensive detailed fundraising plan with calendar.

• Creates long-range strategic development plan that includes corporate sponsorship, major donor cultivation, planned giving and endowment and capital campaigns, as well as overseeing all grant writing.

• Maintains comprehensive Major Gifts program.

• Works with Board of Directors, the Artistic & General Director, and staff to assure that Development Plan supports the opera’s strategic plan and common objectives.

• Manages donor and prospective donor relationships through a comprehensive stewardship program of introduction, cultivation and benefit fulfillment activities.

• Assists board members in their individual development activities.

• Generates, with appropriate staff, all donor/prospect solicitation material and correspondence.

• Assures that all interactions with prospective donors are recorded in the patron data system.

• Meets fundraising goals set forth by the development committee, the Board of Directors and the Artistic & General Director.

• Leads grant research and grant writing process.

MANAGEMENT

• Works with Senior Staff to develop fundraising initiatives in support of their programs.

• Participates as a member of the senior management team.

• Responsible for managing development personnel.

• Expected to attend all opera functions.

EXPERIENCE

Must possess a Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 3-5 years of proven development and fundraising experience in a nonprofit organization and a successful track record in individual, corporate and major giving.

Candidate must possess strong interpersonal skills, excellent organizational ability, and superior oral and written communication skills as well as a sophisticated understanding of the tools of fundraising, and the ability to work as part of a high-energy team and motivate others.

Demonstrated success in soliciting and securing major gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations and government sources is essential. Knowledge of contact management systems, databases, research or other donor relations tools is needed, as are superior skills on the internet and with spreadsheets, donor/relationship software and word processing systems.

A given is knowledge of, or a deep appreciation for opera and the arts.

1st YEAR EXPECTATIONS

• To retain 90% of current sources of fundraising income.

• To significantly increase operational unearned current income streams by end of FY10.

• To identify and submit at least 2 grant proposals per month during 2010.

• To create a program for Planned Giving by end of FY10.

• To maintain a high profile status in the Long Beach/Los Angeles/Orange County community as well as work collaboratively though the arts organizations of our community.

COMPENSATION

Salary competitive, DOE. Application deadline is January 31, 2010. Send cover letter, resume, salary requirements and list of four references to: Mitisek@longbeachopera.org