Director of Annual Giving

About Us

As L.A.'s premier performing arts destination, The Music Center convenes artists, communities and ideas with the goal of deepening the cultural lives of every resident in Los Angeles County. The $80 million non-profit performing arts organization has three divisions: TMC Arts, TMC Ops and TMC Business Services. TMC Arts, The Music Center’s programming engine, provides year-round programming inside The Music Center’s four theatres, which include Walt Disney Concert Hall, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre and Mark Taper Forum; on Jerry Moss Plaza; outside at Gloria Molina Grand Park, a 12-acre adjacent green space; and in schools and neighborhoods all over Los Angeles County. TMC Arts presents world-class dance with Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center, free and low-cost public concerts and events, as well as K–12 arts learning programs, workshops, performances, interactive experiences and special events. TMC Ops manages the theatres, Jerry Moss Plaza and Gloria Molina Grand Park, which comprise $3 billion in county assets, on behalf of the County of Los Angeles. TMC Business Services includes Advancement, Human Resources, Finance, Tech Services, and Marketing and Communications. The Music Center is also home to four renowned resident companies—Center Theatre Group, Los Angeles Master Chorale, LA Opera and LA Phil.

Position Summary

The Director of Annual Giving is responsible for managing The Music Center's annual fund program and developing, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive fundraising strategies that increase philanthropic support, donor participation, and annual giving through direct mail, telefund, digital communications, and other fundraising channels. Reporting to the Senior Director of Individual Giving, this position collaborates closely with the Advancement Services, Marketing & Communications, and TMC Arts teams. Priorities for this position include strengthening the donor pipeline, broadening the donor base, and executing a multi-year strategy to expand fundraising and participation for Friends of The Music Center as part of the organization's comprehensive campaign.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement short- and long-term strategies to grow the annual fund through donor solicitation, communications, stewardship, and engagement activities.
• Work toward established annual fundraising goals for Friends of The Music Center, currently projected to range from $325,000 to $500,000 over the next three years. Collaborate with leadership to establish annual participation and revenue goals based on historical performance, organizational priorities, and fundraising data.
• Develop and implement direct mail fundraising campaigns in collaboration with vendors and internal stakeholders, utilizing fundraising best practices, impact reporting, and donor-centered messaging.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive digital fundraising strategy, including email campaigns and the use of social media, text-to-give, website content, video, and other digital engagement tools to support donor acquisition, retention, and stewardship.
• Develop annual fund messaging and fundraising content for impact reports, performance programs, print materials, website campaigns, social media, and digital displays.
• Manage a portfolio of donors and prospects with giving potential between $1,000 and $10,000 through personalized cultivation and stewardship by phone, email, meetings, events, and performances. Maintain regular communication, document donor interactions, and develop strategies to move prospective donors through the fundraising pipeline.
• Partner with the Advancement Services and Marketing teams to analyze fundraising performance, inform strategy through data analysis, and maintain accurate donor records within the constituent relationship management (CRM) system.
• Develop and maintain reporting tools to measure donor engagement, fundraising performance, campaign effectiveness, and progress toward financial goals.
• Monitor fundraising revenue and expenses to support responsible budget management, evaluate fundraising return on investment, and align the cost per dollar raised with industry standards.
• Oversee the work of consultants and vendors, including a direct response agency and telefunding company, to ensure projects are executed effectively and aligned with fundraising goals and organizational priorities.
• Manage telefund campaigns, including script development, donor benefit communications, and campaign performance, to support established fundraising objectives.
• Develop donor acquisition strategies to engage attendees of free and low-cost events through targeted fundraising communications and stewardship initiatives.
• Collaborate with Advancement and Marketing colleagues to develop donor acquisition and pipeline strategies for ticket buyers and program participants through coordinated fundraising communications.
• Partner with the Director of Planned Giving to promote planned giving opportunities and identify prospective legacy donors within the Friends of The Music Center donor community.
• Ensure timely donor acknowledgments, benefit fulfillment, tax documentation, and stewardship communications in collaboration with the Advancement Services team.
• Maintain knowledge of current fundraising trends, industry best practices, and emerging technologies that support annual giving programs.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of nonprofit fundraising experience, preferably including annual giving; experience in arts and culture organizations is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing annual giving programs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 or comparable business software.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed to support organizational events and fundraising activities.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Experience analyzing fundraising data and conducting donor or prospect research.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative working relationships with donors, volunteers, staff, consultants, and vendors while exercising sound judgment and maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to identify solutions, manage changing priorities, and adapt to evolving organizational needs.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, establish priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to interpret data and apply findings to donor engagement and fundraising strategies.
• Experience using fundraising databases or constituent relationship management (CRM) systems; experience with project management software is preferred.

SALARY

This full-time, exempt position offers a competitive annual salary range of $105,000 –$120,000 along with a comprehensive total rewards package. Benefits include premium medical, dental, and vision coverage; generous paid time off, including vacation and sick leave; a 401(k)-retirement plan with employer contributions and matching; group term life insurance; and flexible spending accounts.

SCHEDULE

This position is scheduled for 35 hours per week, typically Monday through Friday from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Work hours may be adjusted as necessary to accommodate special events and business needs, including occasional evenings and weekends. The Music Center currently operates under a hybrid work model, combining remote work with designated onsite team days. Onsite, in-person attendance is required to support live events. This work arrangement is subject to change based on business needs and the responsibilities of the position.

THE MUSIC CENTER IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER