Chief Philanthropy Officer

Opera Philadelphia•Philadelphia, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the General Director & President, the Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO) 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.

Requirements

At least 7 years of experience in a senior development role within a high-performing arts organization
Proven success in soliciting and securing 6 and 7-figure individual and corporate gifts
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with board committees, volunteers, and cross-functional staff
Significant experience planning and executing cultivation events, stewardship programs, and high-profile galas
Experience in creating departmental budgets
Deep knowledge of fundraising systems and the ability to use data to shape strategy and decision-making at all levels of individual giving
Exceptional written and oral communication abilities, including experience presenting to boards and stakeholders
Strong interpersonal skills with a talent for inspiring staff, volunteers, and donors to build lasting relationships
Experience hiring, managing, mentoring, and evaluating staff to achieve ambitious goals
Strong experience with budget creation, tracking, and financial reporting, ensuring transparency and accountability
Proficiency with fundraising software and digital tools to enhance operational efficiency
A deep appreciation for music and the performing arts, with a commitment to artistic risk-taking and creative fundraising solutions
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
Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as necessary

Nice To Haves

Experience with Tessitura
Knowledge of Tessitura Software is strongly preferred

Responsibilities

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
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
Collaborate with Board leadership to support standing committees, including Development, Governance & Nominating, and 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
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