VP of Development

Fort Wayne Philharmonic•Fort Wayne, IN

About The Position

The Fort Wayne Philharmonic seeks a dynamic, results-driven Vice President of Development to lead its comprehensive fundraising program and contribute to the strategic growth and sustainability of one of Indiana’s premier performing arts organizations. The ideal candidate is a visionary leader and accomplished fundraiser with a passion for the arts and a proven record of cultivating transformational relationships with individuals, corporations, and community leaders. Reporting to the President & CEO and serving as a key member of the Philharmonic’s senior leadership team, the Vice President of Development will lead a department responsible for annual giving, major gifts, capital and endowment campaigns, corporate sponsorship, foundation relations, planned giving, and donor stewardship. The Vice President will inspire and manage a talented team of development professionals and play an integral role in realizing the Philharmonic’s ambitious artistic, educational, and community goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE preferred.
Minimum 7+ years of progressive fundraising leadership experience, ideally in the performing arts or nonprofit sector.
Demonstrated success in major gifts, corporate sponsorship, capital campaigns, and special events.
Proven ability to manage and inspire teams and lead through change.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
High emotional intelligence and a collaborative spirit.
Experience with CRM systems (e.g., Tessitura, Raiser’s Edge) and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends at concerts and events.
Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel as needed within the region

Nice To Haves

advanced degree or CFRE preferred

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy including capital campaigns, annual fund, major gifts, planned giving, corporate sponsorships, and special events.
Lead the strategy and operations for multi-year capital campaigns aligned with the Philharmonic’s historic downtown facility and institutional growth.
Design fundraising timelines, goals, performance metrics, and reporting tools to evaluate progress and inform future planning.
Identify, cultivate, and solicit new prospects using donor research, prospect screening, board referrals, and audience engagement data.
Create and lead a year-round calendar of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship events and activities (visits, calls, letters, and presentations) that deepen donor involvement.
Ensure all donor engagement is meaningful, personalized, and reflects the Philharmonic’s artistic mission and community impact.
Develop tailored solicitation strategies based on a donor’s experience with the Philharmonic and their giving capacity.
Oversee strategies to move annual donors, subscribers, and attendees into major gift portfolios.
Educate and engage the Board of Directors, executive leadership, and staff in development strategy and activity, empowering them as ambassadors and fundraisers.
Report regularly on development progress and goals to internal stakeholders and the Board.
Manage a high-performing Development team through thoughtful goal-setting, coaching, performance evaluation, and mentorship.
Oversee donor database (CRM) strategy and execution in collaboration with the Director of Consumer Engagement to ensure accurate records, segmentation, and analytics.
Partner with Marketing and Sales teams to co-create and promote fundraising events and campaigns that drive both visibility and support.
Represent the Philharmonic at performances, civic events, donor functions, and community activities to build relationships and represent the organization.
Create and deliver compelling in-person presentations to high-level audiences in support of Philharmonic projects and priorities.
Stay informed on national trends in philanthropy, arts fundraising, and donor engagement.
Perform other duties as assigned by the CEO to advance the Philharmonic’s mission and values.