Vice President, Chief Development Officer

Kansas City Symphony; Ann Arbor, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

University Musical Society in Ann Arbor, MI, seeks a Vice President and Chief Development Officer to lead a comprehensive fundraising program including annual, major, planned, and endowment giving, as well as foundation and corporate engagement.

The role partners with the President, Board, and staff to craft and execute a strategic vision, align resources, and drive donor engagement across a diverse portfolio, positioning UMS for the next chapter of growth.

Job description

Vice President and Chief Development Officer

University Musical Society - Ann Arbor, MI

University Musical Society is seeking a Vice President and Chief Development Officer who will be a key institutional leader and strategic partner to the UMS President, with the responsibility of designing and leading a comprehensive fundraising program that includes annual, major, planned, and endowment giving; foundation and corporate giving; and donor engagement. This leader must be fluent in the fundamentals of each area, excited to craft their own vision, strategy, and roadmap for the function, and able to align resources to deliver the plan. The VP/CDO will be responsible for a portfolio of key donors and prospects, and will actively direct and support the President, Board, and key staff members in fundraising efforts.

Now in its 148th season, UMS is admired across the country for its boundary-pushing roster of artists and its curious and supportive audiences, showcasing traditional performing art forms and contemporary artists in a variety of venues ranging in size from 200-3,500. Based on the campus of the University of Michigan (U-M) in Ann Arbor, UMS is one of the oldest performing arts presenters in the country, committed to its mission of connecting audiences with performing artists from around the world in uncommon and engaging experiences. UMS is an affiliated partner of the University of Michigan but remains an independent 501(c)3 arts presenter, enabling the organization to both complement and leverage the resources of a world-class university, while also serving as a public-facing cultural hub for the entire community. UMS is financially healthy with an endowment of more than $50M and an annual budget of approximately $11M.

"The current moment and the future at UMS are both historic and filled with extraordinary promise. With UMS approaching a major milestone of 150 years in the 2028-2029 season, the prospect of a major new and signature arts venue in partnership with the University of Michigan, and a \"best-in-class\" team across our staff, board, councils, university partners, and volunteers - this leadership position is crucial to the organization's success. This is a role that can and will be an integral part of a very special and unique moment in the history of this organization. As President, I am looking for a real thought partner in this role, someone with the poise and leadership to lead our development efforts, while also working closely alongside me, our talented VP team, our incoming COO, and board leadership." — Matthew VanBesien, President

For more information, including core competencies and qualifications, please refer to the full prospectus.