Chief of Philanthropy: Opera Philadelphia (Bryn Mawr)

Reporting to the General Director & President, the Chief Philanthropy Officer (CDO) serves as a visionary partner, actively shaping and carrying out philanthropic strategies and programs of the Development department.

Goal oriented and revenue-focused, the CPO will actively build budgets informed by data for all areas of the department, set annual and long-term projections, and create strategies for sustainable fundraising growth of the Annual Fund and the organization’s comprehensive campaign, a $33 million effort designed to support innovation, community-focused programming, and financial resilience. A mature and sophisticated communicator, the CPO will engage with board members, donors, and external partners, building relationships that inspire transformative giving. As a key collaborator, the CPO will work closely with the Finance and Marketing teams to build cross-functional strategies and develop comprehensive plans that align operations with fundraising goals.

The position requires a combination of high-level strategy and hands-on leadership in frontline fundraising, with the ability to maintain a robust portfolio of major donors and prospects. A strong leader, the CPO will be an inspiring manager who shares a vision for what opera can and should be.

Develop annual and multi-year fundraising plans across individual, institutional, major gifts, planned giving, events, and campaigns.

Craft compelling cases for support that align donor interests with OP’s artistic and strategic goals.

Work closely with the GD to ensure that his fundraising efforts are guided and tracked strategically;

In collaboration with the GD and outside counsel, lead public phases of the organization’s comprehensive campaign, now in its second year.

Create sophisticated materials for major gift solicitations, sponsorships, corporate partnerships, and leadership campaign gifts.

Personally manage a significant portfolio, soliciting and closing major gifts to meet fundraising goals, with the ability to identify potential among lapsed and lower level donors.

Attend performances, events and social gatherings to grow relationships with donors and prospects.

Systems, Infrastructure, & Data Management

Apply best practices for donor management systems, including Moves Management.

Oversee prospect research.

Reinvigorate and grow the Planned Giving program, designing attractive benefits and engagement opportunities.

Work closely with the Marketing department to integrate subscriber and ticket buyer data into donor strategies, enhancing engagement and fundraising opportunities.

Work with the Marketing department to develop content and messaging that can be used broadly;

Coordinate with the Finance team to align contributed revenue targets with strategic plans and develop long-term financial models.

Partner with the GD on strategic planning initiatives, ensuring alignment between fundraising and broader organizational goals.

Board Engagement & Committee Leadership

Collaborate with Board leadership to support standing committees, including Development, Governance & Nominating, an Development & Campaign committees.

Identify and cultivate new board prospects, expanding the pool of potential members.

Leverage the talents of board members to support frontline fundraising efforts, engaging them in high-level donor cultivation and stewardship activities.

Attend all board and relevant committee meetings, presenting fundraising updates and innovations.

Team Leadership & Performance Management

Lead, mentor, and manage a Development team of seven, setting work plans, performance goals, and clear revenue targets.

Provide guidance and training to staff, fostering a high-performance culture centered on continuous improvement and professional growth.

Establish clear departmental objectives to grow Annual Fund revenue by $1M over the next two years and increase overall annual support by 25%.

Develop and oversee a robust strategy to re-engage the lapsed donors and secure renewed and increased support.

Provide strategic oversight of all donor events, including the annual Gala, to enhance engagement and maximize giving opportunities.

Develop templates for donor cultivation and prospect events, ensuring smooth execution and alignment with development goals.

Experience & Attributes

Leadership & Fundraising Expertise: At least 7 years of experience in a senior development role within a high-performing arts organization.

Major Gifts & Sponsorship Expertise: Proven success in soliciting and securing 6 and 7-figure individual and corporate gifts.

Board & Staff Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with board committees, volunteers, and cross-functional staff.

Event Planning: Significant experience planning and executing cultivation events, stewardship programs, and high-profile galas.

Budgeting: Experience in creating departmental budgets.

Data-Driven Fundraising: Deep knowledge of fundraising systems and the ability to use data to shape strategy and decision-making at all levels of individual giving.

Communication Skills: Exceptional written and oral communication abilities, including experience presenting to boards and stakeholders.

Relationship Management: Strong interpersonal skills with a talent for inspiring staff, volunteers, and donors to build lasting relationships.

Team Leadership: Experience hiring, managing, mentoring, and evaluating staff to achieve ambitious goals.

Financial Acumen: Strong experience with budget creation, tracking, and financial reporting, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Technology Proficiency: Proficiency with fundraising software and digital tools to enhance operational efficiency. Experience with Tessitura a plus.

Passion for Performing Arts & Innovation: A deep appreciation for music and the performing arts, with a commitment to artistic risk-taking and creative fundraising solutions.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

A bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

A minimum of seven to 10 years of experience in progressively responsible development leadership positions, which includes work in all functional areas (individual giving, institutional giving, annual giving/membership, legacy giving, stewardship, board relations) and participation in a major capital campaign (planning, implementation, management, and successful conclusion), preferably within a major cultural institution, nonprofit organization, educational institution, or other environment of similar complexity.

Demonstrated ability to provide management oversight, leadership, and direction with at least five years of significant supervisory experience, including experience creating and managing a budget. A strong record of recruiting and developing exceptional people and fostering a transparent work environment where collegiality is a key to success.

Hands-on experience with six and seven-figure gifts and greater, including cultivation through solicitation and stewardship, as well as experience working with annual giving strategies for grooming the next generation of annual leadership and major gift donors. Success in securing gifts from both defined and undefined constituencies.

Experience identifying, nurturing, and motivating volunteers, particularly board members, as well as demonstrated success in actively deploying them in fundraising activities. An appreciation for the role of volunteer leaders in building an effective fundraising network.

Skill at goal setting and measuring success, and agility in addressing alternate program directions to meet goals when necessary. Experience in developing, implementing, and monitoring strategic plans.

The ability to extract and analyze data to make effective, efficient decisions about development strategies and process. A working knowledge of modern data management practices and techniques, including database information systems, data modeling, and analysis. Familiarity with technology and other innovations that can streamline the development process and contribute to the integration of related functions. Knowledge of Tessitura Software is strongly preferred.

Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as necessary.