Associate Director of Development
Arizona Opera is seeking an energetic, organized, communicative and dedicated Associate Director of Development to join its team as the company builds on its 55-year legacy toward a vision centered on community, education, collaboration, artistic excellence and innovation.
Founded in 1971, Arizona Opera is a cornerstone of the arts and culture community in Arizona, serving both Phoenix and Tucson with a mission to connect and inspire its communities through artistically vibrant programs and productions that combine music, storytelling, and the human voice. Arizona Opera has become known for its acclaimed productions, prolific education and community-centric programming, and commitment to both classic and contemporary works.
At the heart of Arizona Opera’s vision is a deep commitment to connecting communities through the power of opera. This commitment is evident in Arizona Opera’s productions, its community engagement initiatives, and its education programs that reach across the state, bringing the artform to diverse audiences and inspiring future generations of artists and opera lovers alike.
Like many performing arts organizations around the country, Arizona Opera is navigating the challenges of the post-pandemic landscape, including issues affecting attendance and contributed income. To address these challenges, Arizona Opera has recently adopted a new strategic plan, focused on financial and organizational sustainability, education, community engagement, and collaboration.
Job Title: Associate Director of Development
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Department: Development
Reports To: Director of Development
FLSA Status: Not Eligible for OT (Exempt)
Classification: Full-time
Salary range: $70,000 - $80,000 (commensurate with experience)
The Associate Director serves as a senior member of the Development team, working closely with the Director of Development to manage all aspects of the institutional funder portfolio (foundations, government, and corporate sponsors), as well as some key individual relationships, to support the company’s full array of programmatic, educational, and strategic initiatives, including the company’s signature special events.
As the primary manager for all institutional relationships, the Associate Director is responsible for a portfolio of current and prospective institutional funders. The portfolio may also include a small number of individual donors. This includes (but is not limited to) needs assessment, research, and cultivation of institutional contacts, creation of sponsorship materials, creation of grant and sponsorship reports, acknowledgments, and management of all institutional giving records. The Associate Director regularly generates financial reporting and analysis related to institutional giving for the department.
The Associate Director attends all Arizona Opera performances and special events, as needed, for logistical support and donor relations. They are also responsible for ensuring appropriate crediting and sponsor recognition for all Arizona Opera performances and events, including both individual and institutional production sponsors, in partnership with the department of marketing, communications, and public relations.
Essential Functions
Portfolio Management:
- Lead Arizona Opera's institutional giving program, managing a portfolio of current and prospective foundations, corporate, and government funders and serving as the organization's primary grant writer. The portfolio may also include a limited number of key individual donors as appropriate.
- Develop and execute strategies for identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and renewal with an emphasis on growing institutional revenue and acquiring new funders.
- Lead the preparation and submission of grant proposals, applications, reports, letters of inquiry, budgets, correspondence, and other written and financial materials for institutional funders.
- Proactively identify new corporate and foundation grant opportunities; look for opportunities to initiate contact on behalf of Arizona Opera.
- Establish and maintain relationships with foundation program officers, business and community leaders, corporate giving managers, and government officials to build increasing levels of engagement and support.
- Maintain the institutional funding calendar and ensure all proposals, applications, renewals, reports, and other funder requirements are completed accurately and on time.
- Work collaboratively with development, finance, accounting, community engagement, and marketing staff to develop program descriptions, budgets and other materials as required for proposals and reports.
- Ensure accurate and timely donor recognition in printed materials, programs, and digital communication
- Provide responsive, personalized stewardship to institutional funders, sponsors, and assigned individual donors, ensuring timely communication and meaningful opportunities for engagement with Arizona Opera staff, artists, and leadership.
Sponsorships and Event Support
- Manage and support the administration of Arizona Opera's Production, Studio Artist, and Education Sponsorship programs. Responsibilities include developing sponsorship opportunities and materials; creating sponsorship brochures and collateral; identifying, cultivating, and tracking prospects; maintaining moves management; coordinating sponsor recognition and benefits; and supporting solicitation and stewardship activities.
- Provide strategic and logistical support for Arizona Opera's three signature fundraising events in partnership with the Director of Development and Special Events Chair, with particular responsibility for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting table hosts and event sponsors, coordinating sponsorship fulfillment, and supporting event communications and execution.
Department Strategy and Leadership
- Serve as a senior member of the Development team, providing leadership, collaboration, and support across fundraising programs and helping ensure coordination of departmental priorities and activities.
- In partnership with the Director of Development, serve as a staff liaison to the Board Development Committee, supporting meeting preparation, strategy development, volunteer engagement, and follow-up on committee fundraising activities.
- Represent the Development department at internal or external meetings and serve as departmental lead when delegated by or in the absence of the Director of Development.
Qualifications
Qualifications and Special Requirements:
- 3-5 years development, fundraising, or related sales experience
- Knowledge of fundraising principles and the funding process for institutional funders
- Experience building relationships with community, business, and government leaders
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to motivate and inspire through written word
- Strong analytical skills, particularly with comprehending and building project budgets
- Must work evening events periodically
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
The Successful Candidate Will:
- Demonstrate comfort in a high growth, high output environment
- Be a self-starter and goal driven to initiate donor visits and fundraising calls
- Capacity to effectively prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously to meet deadlines consistently
- Ability to be self-directed and work independently in an extremely fast-paced work environment focused on growth
- Must be able to handle sensitive, confidential information with discretion and professionalism
- Demonstrate leadership initiative, display a positive attitude, show concern for people and community, demonstrate presence, self-confidence, common sense and good listening ability
Computer Skills:
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel & PowerPoint
- Proficient with Tessitura or other donor database software
- Proficient in web-based research tools
Physical Demands:
- Extended periods at workstation, using a keyboard, viewing a computer screen, and communicating by telephone and in person. Some special events set up and breakdown may be required.
Work Environment:
- Work environment is generally quiet, and in an office setting, but intensifies during periods when the company is in production. Also, see Physical Demands section above in regard to special events.
Travel/Other Requirements:
- Primary residency in the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area is required. Reliable transportation is required and must be able to travel statewide. Flexible schedule that will require working nights and weekends to attend events, performances, and rehearsals. Air travel may be required.
To Apply
- Send cover letter, resume and names and contact information for three references to HR@azopera.org.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.
Arizona Opera is an Equal Opportunity employer. The Arizona Opera does not discriminate against an Employee or candidate for employment because of his or her race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin or nationality, age, disability, veteran status, marital status or any other legally protected status. We prohibit discrimination in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, engagements, assignments, training, discipline, termination, promotions or other conditions of employment or career development. We offer Reasonable Accommodations where necessary to candidates for employment and to our qualified employees with disabilities.
Salary and Benefits
$70,000 - $80,000 (commensurate with experience)