Development Communications Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Why the Seattle Symphony?

Thank you for considering the Seattle Symphony for the next chapter in your career. With Music Director Xian Zhang just beginning her tenure with the orchestra and our Amplify capital campaign transforming Benaroya Hall for a new era, these are exciting times at the Seattle Symphony, and we are seeking a talented Development Communications Manager to help connect our community to our mission through philanthropy.

As a member of the Development Communications team, you’ll play an important role in cultivating the dedicated community members who provide critical resources that keep our music playing, and expanding our reach to connect with new audiences as we seek to unlock opportunities for growth.

The orchestra is made up of world-class musicians who dedicate their lives to sharing their passion and talent with audiences. Since our first performance in 1903, our impact has grown to reach the highest levels of artistic excellence. Our donor family gives generously, and this role provides ample opportunity to make an impact. If you believe in the power of music and love making a difference, we want to hear from you!

About our Culture

Working in the Development department at the Seattle Symphony is fast-paced and results driven. We like to say “yes” and aren’t afraid to try something new. As a team, we value hard work, ingenuity and attention to detail. We are supportive of each other and are personally committed to delivering our best each day. As the largest performing arts nonprofit in the Pacific Northwest, our team loves the energy, variety and opportunities for connection this brings. At our core, we care deeply about our work together and we are committed to ensuring an excellent experience for our donors and guests at Benaroya Hall, whose support makes our mission possible. 

Position Overview

The Seattle Symphony is seeking a motivated and detail-driven fundraising professional to help power our annual giving and donor engagement efforts through compelling communications and authentic stewardship. The Development Communications Manager plays a key part in executing fundraising campaigns that connect audiences to the Seattle Symphony’s mission and inspire ongoing philanthropic support.

This is a high-volume position within the Development team, ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment and who is eager to grow their expertise in annual fund fundraising, donor communications and campaign execution. The Manager will contribute directly to revenue-generating efforts by helping to create and deploy donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship messaging across email, print and digital channels.

Working closely with the Director of Strategic Communications, this role supports annual giving campaigns and donor engagement strategies for the Friends of the Symphony and Symphony Club programs. The work is highly collaborative, deadline-driven, and central to how the Seattle Symphony builds and sustains relationships with our donor community.

We are looking for someone who is energized by challenge, highly organized and excited to contribute in a role where strong writing, operational excellence and curiosity about fundraising strategy directly impact success. This position offers meaningful exposure to annual fund strategy within a dynamic and experienced team.

In addition, members of the Development team are expected to regularly work on-site at Benaroya Hall for concerts and donor events throughout the season. Most of these shifts fall outside of regular business hours, including evenings and weekends.

This position is eligible for a hybrid in-person/remote work arrangement after onboarding milestones are achieved. This role requires regular in-office work at least 3 days per week. The Seattle Symphony will provide a laptop, but the employee is required to have their own access to a high-speed internet connection for any remote work.

Qualifications  

· Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in nonprofit work, fundraising communications or a related field

· Minimum 2 years of experience in a nonprofit fundraising or donor communications position

· Familiarity with fundraising campaigns such as annual appeals, year-end giving, membership programs and stewardship communications

· Excellent writing skills with experience drafting donor-centric communications (emails, letters and impact storytelling)

· Familiarity with CRM/donor databases and email marketing platforms (e.g., Tessitura/Prospect2/ActiveCampaign)

· Strong organizational skills and a proven ability to manage multiple deadlines, track details and support complex campaign schedules in a fast-paced environment

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams)

· Familiarity with project management tools such as Asana or similar platforms 

· Interest in fundraising strategy, donor psychology and audience engagement

· A collaborative mindset and ability to work productively across diverse teams

· Availability to work evenings and weekends for concerts and donor events

Essential Job Functions

· Participate in the planning and execution of fundraising communications at the direction of the Director of Strategic Communications

· Draft communications that adhere to the established Seattle Symphony voice, including fundraising appeals, stewardship messages and campaign content across print and digital channels

· Assist in implementing annual fundraising campaigns (e.g., GiveBIG, year-end and subscription appeals, etc.)

· Manage day-to-day campaign logistics including creating communications, managing approvals, proofing and distribution across channels

· Participate in maintaining and updating Development content in the Encore concert program, including stewardship and cultivation messaging

· Work closely with in-house design team to project manage creation of fundraising assets from draft through final delivery

· Contribute ideas for improving donor communications and strengthening engagement across audiences

· Participate in cross-departmental communications and planning meetings

· Maintain project tracking and organization through Asana and similar tools

· Proofread and provide edits on organizational communications to ensure accuracy, quality and adherence to the Seattle Symphony’s style guide

· Support events and concert duty as required, including evenings and weekends

· Provide general support to the Development department as needed

*The Seattle Symphony operates on a 35-hour work week

Benefits

• Excellent Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (PPO, low deductible)
• Employer paid Long-Term Disability, AD&D and Life Insurance
• Employer paid ORCA pass for Metro, Sound Transit, the WA State ferries, or other public transport system
• 403b retirement savings plan with employer matching after 1 year
• 10 days of vacation time; 10 days of sick time
• 2 personal days
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Your birthday off!
• Employee Assistance Program

Requirements:

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described here must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation 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 desk tools.
• Must have the ability to lift 30 pounds as needed.

Other Requirements: 

Applicant must submit a Cover Letter to be considered.

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 accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.