Senior Director of Philanthropy & Endowment Growth

Philharmonic Society of Orange County; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan with employer 1

Job summary

The Philharmonic Society of Orange County seeks an accomplished fundraising leader to serve as Senior Director of Philanthropy. Reporting to the President and Artistic Director, this role will craft and execute a comprehensive philanthropic strategy to sustain the organization’s artistic and education mission while expanding impact.

You will lead a diverse fundraising program—annual giving, major gifts, endowment, grants, corporate support, sponsorships, and events—while building donor

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or comparable professional experience; CFRE certification is a plus.
• 10+ years of direct experience developing and implementing comprehensive fundraising strategies, including capital campaigns, annual giving, endowment fundraising, preferably for a performing arts or mission-driven nonprofit.
• At least five years of supervisory experience with staff leadership, development, and retention; proven goals and performance management.
• Demonstrated experience cultivating and soliciting major gifts and building relationships with donors, boards, volunteers, and funders.
• Strong strategic, financial, organizational, and budgeting skills; ability to assess complex situations and make decisions.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills to communicate cases for support.
• Ability to lead through organizational change and strengthen systems and processes.
• Working knowledge of Tessitura; proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Professionalism, discretion, integrity, and judgment when handling confidential information.
• Ability to collaborate with leadership, staff, volunteers, donors, and boards.
• Knowledge of classical music and the performing arts is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with organizational priorities.
• Grow philanthropic revenue and strengthen financial sustainability.
• Oversee annual giving, major gifts, endowment, legacy giving, grants, corporate/foundation support, sponsorships, and events.
• Cultivate new donors and deepen engagement across donor constituencies.
• Identify partnerships and external relationships to expand visibility and resources.
• Lead endowment growth and campaign priorities for the 75th anniversary.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Donor relations

Strategic leadership

Board relations

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Tessitura experience

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

CFRE certification

Tools

Tessitura

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Job description

The Philharmonic Society of Orange County seeks an accomplished fundraising leader to serve as Senior Director of Philanthropy. Reporting to the President and Artistic Director, this role will craft and execute a comprehensive philanthropic strategy to sustain the organization’s artistic and education mission while expanding impact.

You will lead a diverse fundraising program—annual giving, major gifts, endowment, grants, corporate support, sponsorships, and events—while building donor