Senior Director of Individual Giving

Job Title: Senior Director of Individual Giving

Department: Development

Reports to: Chief Development & Project Officer

Supervises: Major Gift Officer(s), Planned Giving Officer, Discovery Officer, Symphony Club Specialist, Individual Giving Coordinator

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary: $135,000 - $160,000

Position Overview:

The Senior Director of Individual Giving plays a key leadership role in the Seattle Symphony’s contributed revenue efforts, overseeing the strategic growth and management of individual philanthropy. This position is responsible for a personal portfolio of major donors while also leading the Symphony’s relationship-driven fundraising strategy for individuals and families.

With a focus on major and mid-level giving, the Senior Director ensures the success of the Symphony’s philanthropic programs, including the President’s Council ($150,000+), Stradivarius Circle ($25,000+), Founders Circle ($5,000–$24,999), Symphony Club ($1,200–$4,999), and planned giving efforts. In addition to managing their own portfolio, the Senior Director provides strategic oversight and leadership to a team of frontline fundraisers, including the Symphony Club Specialist, Discovery Officer, Major Gift Officer(s), and Planned Giving Officer. This work involves guiding solicitation and stewardship strategies, strengthening donor engagement, and advancing a robust pipeline of future major donors.

As a primary solicitor for special event fundraising, including the Opening Night Gala, and other major campaigns, the Senior Director plays a central role in securing transformational gifts. They collaborate closely with the Chief Development & Project Officer to manage key fundraising initiatives and donor relationships, supporting special campaigns and long-term philanthropic growth. With an annual fundraising portfolio generating between $1.5 million and $2.5 million across annual and special event giving, the Senior Director is a key solicitor in achieving the Symphony’s revenue goals. As a member of the Development Leadership Team, they ensure all fundraising strategies align with the Symphony’s organizational priorities, helping to sustain and expand its impact.

Essential Job Functions:

Major Gifts Strategy & Solicitation

• Manage the major gifts program for donors giving $5,000+, with a personal portfolio focused on securing gifts of $25,000+ and a strategic emphasis on growing contributions at the $100,000+ level.
• Develop and implement individualized solicitation and stewardship strategies to deepen engagement and increase philanthropic commitments.
• Oversee a portfolio that generates between $1.5M–$2.5M annually across the Annual Fund and special event fundraising campaigns.
• Manage and mentor the Major Gift Officer(s), providing strategic guidance, professional development, and support to enhance their fundraising effectiveness and revenue generation. Ensure they have clear goals, solicitation strategies, and stewardship plans to maximize donor engagement and secure significant gifts.
• Serve as a primary solicitor for the Symphony’s Opening Night Gala and other major fundraising events.
• Lead fundraising efforts for special campaigns, including capital campaign and other targeted fundraising initiatives.

Mid-Level Giving & Pipeline Development

• Oversee the Symphony Club program ($1,200–$5,000 donors), ensuring a comprehensive solicitation and cultivation strategy that strengthens mid-level giving.
• Supervise the Symphony Club Specialist, guiding stewardship, solicitation schedules, and donor engagement efforts.
• Manage the discovery program, ensuring a robust strategy for identifying and qualifying new major gift prospects.
• Supervise the Discovery Officer, supporting efforts to engage and transition donors into major giving portfolios.

Planned Giving Giving Strategy

• Manage the Planned Giving Officer and provide strategic oversight to grow and sustain the planned giving program.
• Develop initiatives to increase planned giving commitments, including cultivation strategies for current and prospective legacy donors.
• Support the expansion of the Benaroya Legacy Circle, integrating planned giving conversations into broader donor engagement efforts.
• Ensure coordination between planned giving and major gifts, identifying opportunities for blended gifts and long-term donor engagement.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead and mentor frontline fundraisers, ensuring best practices in donor engagement and portfolio management.
• Collaborate with Development Leadership to align fundraising strategies with organizational priorities and create pathways for donors to increase their philanthropic commitment.
• Work in partnership with the Director of Special Events to maximize donor engagement through events, overseeing frontline fundraiser participation in donor cultivation efforts.

Donor Engagement & Stewardship.

• Implement a strategic cultivation and solicitation schedule for major donors, ensuring timely and meaningful engagement opportunities.
• Participate in donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship at concerts, receptions, and other donor events.
• Proactively utilize Tessitura for donor tracking, moves management, and data-driven fundraising strategy.

Qualifications:

• University degree with a minimum of 10 years professional fundraising experience (preferably in an arts or cultural environment)
• Proven track record of fundraising success with major gifts ($25K+); successful 6 and 7-figure gift solicitations
  • Advanced knowledge of fundraising best practices, including ample experience with a variety of tactics for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual donors at all levels
  • Ability to quickly learn and adapt to the Seattle Symphony’s funding priorities as well as funding opportunities within Seattle Symphony Foundation and Benaroya Hall
• Proven ability to work with Board members, volunteers, donors, and prospects
• Excellent listener, adaptable relationship builder, persuasive interpersonal communicator
• Creative, self-starter, approachable, with a team-player attitude
• Superior writing and organizational skills
• Ability to lead and train staff
• Exemplify ethical standards of professional fundraising
• Knowledge of/enthusiasm to learn about basic planned giving/estate planning vehicles
• Experience using Tessitura or other fundraising CRM
• Previous experience with an arts organization and an interest in classical music; knowledge of the Seattle business and social community
  • Ability to work well in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Availability for work outside of typical office hours, including regular evenings and weekends

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements described here must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The functions of this position are performed primarily in an office environment.
• Regular activities include frequent sitting, standing, walking, reaching, and bending.
• This position may require occasional pulling, lifting, and climbing stairs.
• Ability to speak, hear and communicate clearly while handling staff inquiries, telephone calls and customer requests.
• Specific vision abilities require close visual acuity for viewing a computer screen and reading, preparing, entering and/or analyzing data.
• This position requires repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and fingers for typing at a standard keyboard and regular pinching, picking up and holding pencils and other desk tools.
• Must have the ability to lift 30 pounds as needed.

Benefits:

• Excellent Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance program (PPO, low deductible)
• Employer paid Long-Term Disability, AD&D and Life Insurance
• 403b retirement savings plan with employer matching at 1 year
• 10 days Vacation Time, 10 days Sick Time
• 2 personal days
• 11 holidays per year
• Your birthday off!
• Employee Assistance Program

The Seattle Symphony values diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace. Individuals who bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives are encouraged to apply. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity (EOE) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Seattle Symphony will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.