Senior Director, Annual Fund

Title: Senior Director, Annual Fund 

Department: Development 

Reports to: Associate Vice President of Development 

Supervises (Direct): Annual Fund Director, Ensemble Arts ; Annual Fund Director, Philadelphia Orchestra 

Indirect Reports: Membership Manager, Ensemble Arts ; Membership Manager, Philadelphia Orchestra 

Summary 

The Senior Director, Annual Fund will lead the development and execution of a comprehensive annual fund strategy for The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts, driving revenue growth and deepening engagement across diverse membership bases and levels of support. This senior leadership role will oversee all aspects of annual giving—direct response, digital fundraising, events, and member communications—while personally managing a portfolio of leadership annual donors. 

Serving as a vital bridge between the Annual Fund team and major gifts team, the Senior Director will work to identify annual donors with major gift potential, creating thoughtful pathways for donor growth and ensuring a seamless, high-touch experience for supporters at all levels. 

The Senior Director reports to the Associate Vice President of Philanthropy and will collaborate widely with colleagues across the development department and the organization. This role supervises an Annual Fund team of four, with two direct reports. 

Essential Functions 

Strategic Leadership & Management 

• Develop and implement annual fund strategies to achieve ambitious goals in revenue, growth in households and donor retention, for the Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts annual fundraising programs.
• Oversee the segmentation, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for all annual fund donors and members, from entry-level to leadership annual giving.
• Lead, mentor, and inspire the Annual Fund team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence.
• Create and implement effective stewardship strategies for Annual Fund donors, including recognition, donor benefits, and tracking mechanisms, to foster retention and growth in donor relationships.

Donor Portfolio Management 

• Personally manage a portfolio of leadership-level annual donors, providing personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to deepen relationships and increase support.
• Create customized upgrade strategies for donors with the capacity to increase their annual giving or transition to major gift portfolios.

Collaboration and Cross-Team Integration 

• Partner closely with the Philanthropic Engagement team to identify annual donors with major gift potential and ensure coordinated cultivation strategies.
• Facilitate interdepartmental communication and collaboration with Marketing & Development Communications, IT, Audience Services, Programming, Education and Community, and others, to align annual fund messaging, campaigns, and digital strategies with broader institutional branding and audience engagement goals.
• Collaborate with Development Services to ensure accurate donor tracking, reporting, and analysis of annual fund performance.

Data-Driven Fundraising 

• Oversee the development and execution of data-informed campaigns across mail, email, phone, and digital channels.
• Analyze donor trends and campaign performance to refine strategies and maximize results.

Events & Engagement 

• Partner with Special Events team to design experiences that engage annual donors and strengthen their connection to the organization.
• Regularly attend performances and donor events of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts to welcome donors and to advance donor relationships.

Education/Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; advanced degree a plus.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including leadership of an annual fund program and personal solicitation of donors.
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing integrated annual giving strategies that meet or exceed revenue goals.
• Proven track record of managing donor portfolios and securing leadership annual gifts or major gifts.
• Outstanding organizational and planning skills, including the ability to prioritize and lead projects in a busy work environment. 
• Strong understanding of donor pipelines, portfolio management and collaboration with major gifts teams.
• Strong management and supervisory skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency with CRM/database systems (experience with Tessitura a plus) and data-driven fundraising practices.
• Passion for the mission of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts, and a commitment to advancing the arts.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands: 

• Routine for office environment. 
• Must be available to work select nights/weekends for select performances and events. 
• Administrative employees work from our Center City office Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, with the option to work remotely on most Mondays and Fridays. 

Application Requirements 

Resume and cover letter are required when applying for this position. 

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement 

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts, Inc. does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, or military service.