Deputy Director of Development, Individual Giving
DESCRIPTION
This position requires visionary leadership in annual giving strategy, donor stewardship, and revenue forecasting. The Deputy Director will collaborate closely with senior colleagues to ensure a cohesive approach to donor engagement, consistent messaging, and a robust strategy for long-term donor retention and growth. Reporting to the Director of Development & Campaign Strategy, the Deputy Director of Development, Individual Giving is a pivotal member of the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Development team, charged with strategically guiding and significantly expanding individual philanthropy. In this senior role, the Deputy Director will manage and cultivate an essential portfolio of Patron-level donors, thoughtfully developing personalized strategies to deepen donor engagement and enhance financial support.
This role is crucial in executing a dynamic annual giving campaign that fuels the company's innovative artistic programming and ambitious growth objectives. With oversight responsibilities for the Friends of the Festival and Patron giving programs, the Deputy Director ensures seamless coordination with internal teams to produce timely, compelling direct mail and digital fundraising efforts. Further, this position leads strategic planning and implementation for the National Patrons Program and plays a central role in developing targeted donor communications and in integrating volunteer activities to reinforce donor loyalty and community involvement.
Duties and Responsibilities
Develop and manage a strategic portfolio of 75-100 Patron-level individual donors and prospects, creating personalized strategies for qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, and engaging company leadership as appropriate.
Oversee the annual operating support campaign, specifically the Friends of the Festival and Patron giving programs and collaborate with the Senior Manager of Donor Engagement to execute effective direct mail and digital campaigns.
Partner with the Manager of Donor Communications to create impactful development collateral, such as solicitation and acknowledgment letters, print materials, and digital media content.
Work with the Manager of Volunteer Engagement to integrate meaningful volunteer service into Opera Theatre’s mission, fostering appreciation for the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Guild.
Manage the National Patrons Program and establish annual objectives focused on retention, increased financial contributions, and sustained member engagement.
Collaborate closely with senior leadership to craft year-round and long-term fundraising strategies, generate monthly revenue projections, and manage a comprehensive donor messaging and stewardship calendar aligned with organizational programming and solicitation goals.
Candidate Qualifications
Proven fundraising professional with demonstrated expertise in driving individual philanthropy within culturally vibrant organizations.
Possesses exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills, essential for cultivating meaningful connections with patrons, stakeholders, and the wider opera community.
Outstanding communication skills, excels in crafting persuasive, clear messaging for donor materials, digital content, and stewardship correspondence.
Proven organizational and strategic acumen, able to effectively oversee annual giving campaigns, manage donor portfolios, and create impactful fundraising strategies that align with organizational goals.
Demonstrated track record of leadership in managing donor-centric programs, including experience in annual fund, patron programs, and volunteer engagement.
Ability to work in a collaborative environment, demonstrating a compassionate yet driven approach to team management and volunteer integration.
Proficiency with donor databases and prospect research tools is required, ensuring informed, strategic decision-making.
Embody the Opera Theatre’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and artistic excellence, and desire to actively contribute to the company's vibrant culture and its continued legacy as a premier institution for opera.
BENEFITS
Pay Range: $95,000 - $100,000 Annual
Robust benefits package including health insurance, open PTO policy, 401k match, and more.
- Opera Theatre has a flexible work policy which allows for some hybrid work and asynchronous schedule arrangements, based on position
HOW TO APPLY
https://thebattengroup.com/job-seekers/#!/75173ab9-c844-463d-a4b6-aba4e859bbad/detail
Application Email/Link: thebattengroup.com/job-seekers/#!/75173ab9-c844-463d-a4b6-aba4e859bbad/detail
JOB CONTACT
Tara Bennett, HR Assistant