Chief Development Officer, Arts Fundraising & Growth

Seattle Symphony; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 225,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

The Seattle Symphony Orchestra & Benaroya Hall seeks a strategic Chief Development Officer to lead contributed revenue, annual and capital campaigns, and donor stewardship. This role drives new donor growth across individuals, foundations, corporations, and government entities, while partnering with executives, the Board, and staff to realize ambitious fundraising goals.

Reporting to the President & CEO, the CDO will manage a sixteen-member team, align strategies with organizational priorities,

Qualifications

• Substantial fundraising experience with a sizable institution that includes capital, endowment, annual fund, events and membership.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication; extrovert who builds enthusiasm for the case for support.
• Experience recruiting and cultivating new board members.
• Ability to motivate and manage staff and consultants; analytical and strategic thinker.
• Broad knowledge of development activities: web, social media, direct marketing, memberships, proposals and planned giving.
• Experience structuring sponsorships and donor-recognition programs for long-term relationships.
• Understanding fundraising systems and data-driven donor cultivation.

Responsibilities

• Develop a fundraising plan with donor segmentation, annual, endowment, capital, and planned-giving objectives; set success metrics.
• Collaborate with CEO and CFO to prepare annual operating plans and budgets; integrate fundraising projections.
• Personally engage in solicitation and stewardship with major donors alongside leadership and staff.
• Recruit, retain, and guide development staff; set objectives and support professional growth.
• Implement systematic prospecting and donor-engagement strategies to broaden support.
• Support recruitment strategy for new board members in collaboration with leadership.
• During first six months, understand the organization and take hands-on leadership in major gifts.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Major gifts

Capital campaigns

Donor relations

Board governance

Data-driven fundraising

Event planning

Grant development

Job description

The Seattle Symphony Orchestra & Benaroya Hall seeks a strategic Chief Development Officer to lead contributed revenue, annual and capital campaigns, and donor stewardship. This role drives new donor growth across individuals, foundations, corporations, and government entities, while partnering with executives, the Board, and staff to realize ambitious fundraising goals.

Reporting to the President & CEO, the CDO will manage a sixteen-member team, align strategies with organizational priorities,