Director of Development

The Florida Orchestra; Saint Petersburg (FL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Retirement plan with employer match

Job summary

The Florida Orchestra, based in St. Petersburg, seeks a Development Director to lead major gift fundraising and donor stewardship from a senior frontline position.

You will manage a 50–70 donor portfolio, design strategies across annual, major and planned giving, and work with the VP of Development to advance a multi-year revenue plan. This full-time, in-person role requires evening and weekend duties at concert venues and donor events, with compensation in the $75k–$80k range and comprehensive

Qualifications

• Seven years of progressive fundraising experience in nonprofit arts and culture, education or social services preferred.
• Proven success cultivating, soliciting and closing gifts from five figures through the high six figures.
• Demonstrated experience managing a major-gift portfolio and implementing donor journeys and moves management strategies.
• Strong judgement, accountability, initiative and a results-driven approach to fundraising.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation and relationship-building skills with strong organization and attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities and stakeholders.
• Experience with Tessitura (CRM) and donor intelligence tools preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 50–70 current and prospective donors through moves management from qualification to stewardship.
• Build trusted relationships with high-net-worth individuals and secure gifts from five figures through the high six figures.
• Develop strategies for annual, major and planned gifts, sponsorships and grants.
• Serve as deputy to the VP of Development and support multi-year fundraising strategy.
• Maintain a strong donor pipeline and coordinate prospect research, analytics and reporting.
• Track activity, revenue and donor intelligence in Tessitura; provide regular portfolio updates.

Skills

Donor cultivation

Major gifts

Portfolio management

Proposal writing

Oral and written communication

Relationship building

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Tessitura (CRM)

iWave

Microsoft Office

Job description

Development Director

About Us

The Florida Orchestra (TFO) exists to INSPIRE-EDUCATE-UNITE and build community through the power of music. As the largest professional orchestra in the state and the only arts organization that bridges Tampa Bay, TFO presents more than 100 concerts, education programs and community experiences each season. Our 70 full-time professional musicians and conductors, led by internationally acclaimed Music Director Michael Francis, bring music to concert halls, schools, community centers, parks and neighborhoods across the region. TFO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and has an annual operating budget of approximately $16 million and an endowment of approximately $35 million. The Florida Orchestra will celebrate its 60th season in 2027-28.

Position Summary

This is a full-time, exempt position based in The Florida Orchestra's St. Petersburg office. The Development Director reports to the Vice President of Development and serves as a senior frontline fundraiser responsible for securing significant philanthropic support for The Florida Orchestra. The Director manages a portfolio of approximately 50–70 donors and prospects, leading strategies for cultivation, solicitation, closing, and stewardship across annual, major and planned gifts, sponsorships, and grants.

Working closely with the Vice President of Development and Development colleagues, the Director helps advance TFO's multi-year contributed revenue strategy across individual, corporate, foundation and government giving. Success is measured by strong donor relationships, disciplined portfolio management, successful solicitations and consistent progress toward individual and team revenue goals.

An appreciation for music and comfort attending concert and educational performances is required. The position includes extended hours, evenings and weekends, including concert duty throughout the season (September through May) at the Straz Center (Tampa), Mahaffey Theater (St. Petersburg), Ruth Eckerd Hall (Clearwater), other venues, public parks, and donor and community events.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 50-70 current and prospective donors through disciplined moves management, from qualification and cultivation through solicitation, closing and stewardship.
• Build trusted relationships with high-net-worth individuals and secure gifts from five figures through the high six figures.
• Assess donor interests, priorities and philanthropic capacity and develop strategies for annual, major and planned gifts, sponsorships and grants.
• Serve as deputy to the Vice President of Development, supporting the implementation of TFO's multi-year fundraising strategy and participating in department strategic planning.
• Develop and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective donors and funding partners, working with the Development Operations & Database Manager on prospect research, analytics and reporting.
• Track portfolio activity, revenue, pipeline, donor retention and forecast-to-actual performance; maintain timely contact reports, next steps and donor intelligence in Tessitura (CRM) and provide regular portfolio updates and recommendations to the Vice President of Development.
• Partner with the Vice President of Development, Gala Committee, Donor Engagement & Special Events Manager and colleagues across TFO to achieve gala, special-event and donor engagement goals.
• Represent TFO in donor meetings, at concerts and at community and cultivation events, including select evenings and weekends.
• Collaborate with colleagues across TFO to develop donor opportunities and report on donor-funded activities.
• Ensure fundraising activity is conducted in accordance with donor intent, applicable regulations, AFP ethical standards and TFO policies; maintain strict donor and organizational confidentiality.
• Assist with special projects and other Development responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• At least seven years of progressive fundraising experience, with experience in nonprofit arts and culture, education or social services preferred.
• Proven success cultivating, soliciting and closing gifts from five figures through the high six figures.
• Demonstrated experience managing a major-gift portfolio and implementing donor journeys and moves management strategies.
• Strong judgment, personal accountability, initiative and a results-driven approach to fundraising.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation and relationship-building skills, with effective organization, follow-through and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities and stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; experience with Tessitura (CRM) and iWave (donor intelligence) is preferred, but other CRM and fundraising system experience considered.
• Knowledge of the Tampa Bay philanthropic and business community is preferred; corporate fundraising and sponsorship experience is a plus.
• Reliable transportation is required for donor appointments, concert duty and other local job-related responsibilities.
• Passion for TFO's mission and commitment to professional fundraising ethics, donor-centered practices and established organizational protocols.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

• The annual salary range is $75k-$80k.
• Medical
• Vision
• Retirement plan with employer match

This full-time, in-person, exempt position offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental and vision coverage, as well as a retirement plan.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change by The Florida Orchestra based on the changing needs and requirements of the job, department, or organization. Duties, responsibilities, and skills are also subject to change.

The Florida Orchestra is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, national origin or any other basis prohibited by