Vice President of Development

Toledo Symphony Orchestra; Toledo (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Toledo Symphony Orchestra is seeking a Vice President of Development to lead fundraising activities for Live Arts Toledo. This role includes planning major gifts, coordinating donor engagement, and overseeing a team focused on development.

The ideal candidate will have 5-7 years of fundraising experience and strong leadership skills, fostering a collaborative work environment that advances the mission of Live Arts Toledo.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience in fundraising, soliciting major gifts.
• Experience in nonprofit leadership.
• Commitment to ethical standards in fundraising.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement fundraising plans for Live Arts Toledo.
• Lead donor identification and cultivation efforts.
• Promote a positive workplace culture.

Skills

Fundraising experience with individual donors

Nonprofit leadership

Strong interpersonal skills

Excellent writing and communication skills

Attention to detail

Commitment to ethical fundraising

Education

CFRE Preferred

Tools

Donor database programs

Microsoft Office

Job description

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Salary: $115,000

Reports To: President & CEO

Summary

The Vice President of Development is responsible for planning and implementing all fundraising activities of Live Arts Toledo, a dynamic nonprofit organization that includes the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, Toledo Ballet, Toledo Jazz Orchestra, a dance school, a school of music, and four youth orchestras. The Vice President is directly responsible for leading the organization’s major giving and planned giving programs, maintaining a portfolio donors and prospects, while also managing a team consisting of the Development Operations Manager, Director of Individual Giving, and Director of Institutional Giving.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan supporting all Live Arts Toledo operations and departments. This includes major gifts, planned giving, annual fund, sponsorships, grants, endowments, capital campaigns, and all other fundraising activities and events.
• Lead and coordinate the organization’s moves management process of identifying, tracking, and working with individual donors, corporations, and foundations.
• Coordinate with other departments as needed to implement development plans and goals.
• Provide monthly giving reports to Senior Leadership and Board of Trustees.

Donor Identification and Cultivation

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and provide stewardship to major and planned giving donors.
• Manage a major donor and prospect portfolio, including regular visits, communication, and engagement.
• Coordinate and support the President’s development activities, including assisting in the management of the President’s donor portfolio.
• Ensure that accurate records are maintained of donor outreach in development database, including gifts, pledges, proposals, contact reports.

Stewardship and Donor Retention

• Plan and execute donor stewardship events and communications.
• Share compelling stories, data, and outcomes tied to donor contributions.
• Show both short-term results and long-term mission impact.
• Create meaningful recognition opportunities.

Organizational Leadership and Staff Management

• Promote a positive, inclusive workplace culture that supports the mission of Live Arts Toledo.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and oversight to foster a collaborative and high‑performing Development Office team.
• Provide organizational leadership as a member of the senior leadership team.
• Regular attendance and visibility at performances and events as needed for donor engagement and stewardship.
• Ensure compliance with all laws and regulations.

Skills and Qualifications

• 5-7 years of demonstrated fundraising experience working with individual donors to solicit and close leadership and major gifts. Experience with soliciting and closing 6 and 7 figure gifts strongly preferred.
• Experience in nonprofit leadership.
• Strong interpersonal skills. Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Strong overall computer skills, including experience working with donor database programs, Microsoft Office products, and related software/applications.
• Strong attention to detail required.
• Commitment and enthusiasm to working in a team‑centered environment and dedication to Live Arts Toledo’s mission.
• Commitment to the Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethics and the Donor Bill of Rights.
• CFRE Preferred.