American Advertising Federation Nashville

Job Description

An exciting opportunity for someone who is a self-starter, loves to connect with people and has the tenacity and determination to strategically pursue a goal to a positive outcome. This position has a primary role in individual giving, donor stewardship and acknowledgement, development special events and activities, database management and board administration. He/she will join the team of what has been nationally recognized as one of the most innovative and fastest growing opera companies in the United States.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

This position is responsible for:

 Managing and maintaining Tessitura donor database, oversight and ensuring the accuracy of gift processing entry and donor acknowledgements, creating reports and extractions
 Capturing prospect leads, personal referrals, and managing follow-up, and assisting in developing prospect strategies for targeted donor demographics, including young professionals
 Assisting in managing and continuing to enhance annual individual giving campaigns to develop and grow our individual donor base; cultivate and solicit individual gifts, including individuals representing corporations, and corporate / family foundations.
 Assisting in re-engaging previous donors and sponsors; develop and implement special programs to increase interest and involvement of lapsed donors
 Managing and assisting in development of stewardship and donor acknowledgement special events, activities, processes, tasks, and materials
 Administration and communication for Board of Directors and preparation of board materials
 Management of major annual donor giving society (Impresario Council) program, special events and activities, including renewals and identification of potential new members
 Prepare or assist in preparing correspondence, mailing campaigns, case statements, donor profiles for opera magazine, donor textual or video testimonials
 Establish intern’s development priorities and tasks in coordination with Senior Director for Advancement, and train and oversee their development work

Position requires working in close partnership with the Senior Director for Advancement and CEO/Managing Director to:

 Assist in cultivating and enriching relationships with all types and levels of donors
 Assist in administration and submission of grant proposals for corporate, foundation, and government funders, including drafting copy for select group
 Assist in designing and implementing annual plans for the education, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of capital campaign and planned giving donors and prospects
 Participate in all aspects of the gift-cycle:

• Initiate contacts with potential donors

• Develop appropriate cultivation and awareness strategies including working with volunteers and staff

• Identify and implement movement of potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward

  solicitation and closure

◦ Personally make solicitations, both individually and with staff and/or volunteers

Essential Skills, Attributes and Qualifications

 Ability to work collaboratively and constructively, and communicate effectively and sufficiently, with opera staff, volunteers, and interns
 Adhering to the highest ethical and social standards when communicating with donors, demonstrate empathetic disposition and perseverance; reflect optimistic and positive attitude and demonstrate sensitivity to needs of donors

 Ability to maintain a sense of humor, work independently, and possess a sincere desire to cooperate with a collaborative and highly creative team
 Must be a highly energetic professional with a track record of building relationships and securing revenue in the 4 to 6 figure range

 Successful experience in making cold calls, as well as developing cultivation and solicitation strategies and materials
 Excellent writing, listening and verbal communication skills
 Self-starter with excellent interpersonal skills, an ability to prioritize independently to meet goals and timelines, successfully manage multi-functional or diverse areas, and a demonstrated track record of completing assignments

 Demonstrated strength of accountability and commitment towards position work and department goals, including participating with budgeting of revenue goals and department expenses
 Ability to work occasional evenings and/or weekends
 Physical demands: this position sometimes requires extended periods of sitting, standing and walking, moving and lifting of supplies and items for events and activities.

 Successful candidates will have 3 to 5+ years professional development and/or marketing experience, a proven focus on attention to detail and organization, a track record of relationship building, be fluent with database systems (ideally Tessitura or development / relational databases), have a knowledge of Nashville area wealth (a plus, but not a requirement), and experience and/or interest in the arts is a plus.

Salary: Commensurate with experience.
Start Date: January 3, 2012. Accepting Resumes through Nov. 30, 2011 or until position is filled Procedure: Please submit a letter of interest and resume, including references, via email, fax or mail to:

Kira Florita
Senior Director for Advancement kflorita@nashvilleopera.org 615-832-5242
Fax: 297-6337

Nashville Opera
Noah Liff Opera Center 3622 Redmon Street Nashville, TN 37204

Nashville Opera’s mission is to make a difference by creating legendary productions and programs and providing exceptional service. In addition to the major operatic works which are offered each year, we partner with community schools, civic groups and activity centers to share the beauty of this unique art form with as many people as possible, building appreciation and understanding. As an active and vital part of our community, we are part of the greater vision of Middle Tennessee as a healthy, competitive and cosmopolitan place to live.

Nashville Opera Association has been recognized as representing the standard for excellence among all arts organizations in Tennessee. Its main stage performances at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center play to over 14,000 people annually, last season playing to an average of 84% capacity. The Opera’s extensive education and outreach touring program will reach an additional 25,000 students in 20 counties. Current annual operating budget is $2.3 million, full time staff size is 13, plus contracted talent and production professionals.

For more information go to www.nashvilleopera.org and for information on the Noah Liff Opera Center go to www.noahliffoperacenter.org