Director of Development
The Atlanta Opera
(Atlanta GA)
The Atlanta Opera seeks an experienced and dynamic Director of Development
THE COMPANY
Founded in 1979, The Atlanta Opera is one of the finest regional opera companies in the United States producing main-stage opera productions and excellent arts education programming for all ages. It directly serves almost 100,000 people annually in Metropolitan Atlanta and the surrounding region.
In 2007, The Atlanta Opera moved into its new performance home at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, just inside the I-285 perimeter. Since its move to this acoustically exceptional theatre, the Opera’s audience has grown over 50%.
The Opera appointed a new General & Artistic Director, Tomer Zvulun, in 2013.  Under Zvulun’s leadership the opera attracts the finest international, national, and regional singers, conductors, stage directors and designers, and is growing in regard as the premier opera company in the Southeastern United States.
THE POSITION
The Director of Development, a member of The Atlanta Opera’s Senior Staff, is the senior development professional  devoted to maximizing philanthropic income in order to realize the mission and objectives of the Company.  The Director manages the development team and executes the overall strategy for the development effort of the organization.  Included in this strategy is a plan for prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship for every potential source of contributed revenue, including individuals, corporations, foundations and government.  The Director is responsible for managing a portfolio of major gift contributors in addition to overseeing a major gifts team, which includes responsibility for the department’s achievement of revenue and control of expense against budget.  The Director of Development is ultimately responsible and held accountable for achieving the Opera’s contributed revenue goals, between $2.5M- $3.5M, annually. 
The Director of Development assists the General & Artistic Director in managing the Board of Directors.  The Director of Development plans and executes all meetings of the Board and assists with assigning committee members, serving as a main point of contact with the Board of Directors.
RESPONSIBILITES
Position responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
• Developing and implementing a comprehensive fundraising plan to ensure that the organization meets its annual and long-term fundraising goals.
• Working with the General & Artistic Director, development team & company staff to align specific fundraising strategies with the Opera’s strategic priorities. 
• Ensuring that internal planning, communications and report systems are in place and effectively engage the General & Artistic Director, development team, company staff, and the Board of Directors in the implementation of the fundraising plans. 
• Regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the organization’s ongoing fundraising efforts, making adjustments and implementing strategies where improvement is needed.   
• Assuming the lead role in prospect management, including the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of corporate, foundation, individual donors and prospects.
• Setting specific and measurable performance objectives and goals for development staff, performing annual performance reviews.
• Managing the development staff to ensure that all deadlines are met, including proposals, reports and funder correspondence.
• Overseeing the development and implementation of consistent and strategic messaging in all written correspondence, including proposals, reports and all donor communication. 
• Working with the General & Artistic Director and the Board to cultivate and maintain strong personal relationships with the philanthropic community, individual and corporate donors, sponsors, board members and volunteers.
• Meeting annual solicitation, cultivation and stewardship goals. 
• Managing department budget and preparing regular revenue and expense reports.
QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate will have the following:
• A bachelor’s degree and at least 5-10 years of experience as a Director of Development.
• A proven track record of measurable success in securing major gifts from individuals, foundations and businesses for a non-profit organization, with an annual goal of at least $1.5M.
• Experience with a capital campaign of at least $1M.
• Extensive knowledge of development principles, fund-raising techniques and ethics.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with a donor database program is required; familiarity with Tessitura is preferred.
• Local knowledge of the fundraising landscape in Atlanta is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge and/or appreciation of opera is desirable.
• The availability to work evening and weekend activities and engage in local and regional travel. (Please note position is FLSA exempt.)

NOTE: Never make payment to any employer, person, company, contractor or agency to get hired for a Job.

Please send cover letter, resume and writing sample(s) to DevelopmentResumes@atlantaopera.org No phone calls please.