Head of Development (Remote)

The Development Director is the senior staff leader responsible for designing, executing, and owning West Virginia Symphony's fundraising strategy to support the WVSO’s mission to make great music to enrich and inspire everyone in our region. This role holds direct accountability for meeting annual fundraising targets across individual giving, corporate sponsorship, grants, and planned giving, while managing a robust personal portfolio of donors.

The Development Director is responsible for coordinating efforts into a unified, strategic, and accountable development operation, building sustainable systems and donor pipelines. The Director will collaborate with colleagues and leadership to transform the development function from an activity-based operation into a results-driven revenue engine.

KEY PARTNERSHIPS

the Development Director will coordinate closely with the President to ensure a unified major gifts strategy, avoid donor‑cultivation overlap, and align messaging and targets. While the President is the final architect of the cohesive fundraising strategy, the Development Director is a strong and respected voice in the planning and implementation of the efforts.

Music Director — A key fundraising asset, particularly for donor cultivation events, major gift visits, and donor stewardship touchpoints where artistic vision and personal connection drive giving. The Development Director will work closely with the Music Director to strategically deploy their time and relationships for maximum fundraising impact.

Annual Fund Manager, Artistic Operations, Finance, Education, and Marketing
35‑hour office work week, plus concerts, special and community events. There is an expectation of regular evening events and concert hours that is compensated for with a generous PTO allotment.

Full‑time, exempt

Because this role involves close collaboration and on‑site activity, it is primarily based on location. Limited remote work opportunities and flexible schedule arrangements are available.

Own and achieve the annual development revenue target, broken down across

Grants (foundation/government)

Build and manage a qualified major‑gift pipeline, personally cultivating and soliciting gifts at the $2,500 level and above

Coordinate a unified major‑gifts strategy across the Development Director’s own portfolio and the President’s portfolio, ensuring clear donor assignment, no duplication of outreach, and shared visibility into pipeline status

Develop and execute a planned giving strategy that includes management of the planned giving website, targeted communications, and individual cultivation and solicitation.

Identify and secure new corporate sponsorship and foundation grant opportunities to diversify and grow the revenue base

Board & Organizational Partnership

Strategically engage the Music Director in donor cultivation including donor events, one‑on‑one major donor meetings, and stewardship communications to leverage artistic relationships as a fundraising asset

Staff board committees with development focus

Work with WVSO staff whose duties overlap (Annual Fund Manager, Grants Writer, Marketing Director) to ensure Development workflow

Experience with foundation relations and management, writing and preparing grants and final reports

executive leadership, board members, or other non‑development staff with donor relationships)

Proven experience managing a development budget and reporting against measurable targets

Knowledge of donor database/CRM systems and data‑driven fundraising strategy

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience

Love of classical music and the ability to articulate the impact of orchestras in their communities

Use of an office phone, computer and internet is required

A cell phone and remote access to e‑mail and office files are required, as many tasks take place offsite

Ability to occasionally carry materials or signage

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