Development Operations Coordinator

Arizona Opera is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented, and energetic Development Operations Coordinator to join its Development team as the company continues to pursue its vision of artistic vitality, delivery of civic value, audience expansion, and institutional strength and sustainability, and as the performing arts recover from the pandemic.

Since 1971, Arizona Opera has produced over 200 fully-staged operas and concerts. As one of the only companies in the country to perform in two major metropolitan cities, Arizona Opera presents artists of both international stature and emerging talent, and each season balances debut artists and the return of favorite performers. In addition to producing five productions each year in both Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona Opera offers in-school touring productions and numerous outreach events for children and adults of all ages. The 2021/22 Season celebrated the company’s 50th Anniversary.

Arizona Opera has recently reshaped its strategy around creating the most dynamic artistic program possible, based on a community-centric approach, as an essential tool in garnering the philanthropic growth necessary to properly support a company of our scale. This strategy shift has resulted in the company’s adoption of a new season model beginning in the 2018/19 Season, with the new Arizona Opera McDougall RED Series in the Fall, and the Arizona Opera Main Stage Series in the Winter & Spring, which is comprised of two beloved classics, and one large-scale contemporary opera as part of the Marlu Allan and Scott Stallard Modern Masterworks Series. This transformational shift has not only inspired great excitement in the work on our stage, but has also encouraged greater community investment in the form of contributed income.

Job Title: Development Operations Coordinator
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Department: Development
Reports To: Director of Development
FLSA Status: Eligible for OT (Non-Exempt)
Classification: 25 – 40 hours/week (part-time or full-time flexible)

The Development Operations Coordinator is responsible for all gift processing, data reporting, and other patron services to support the daily operational needs and fundraising initiatives of Arizona Opera. This position works closely with all gift officers, Box Office staff and Finance staff to ensure accurate processing of gifts, monthly revenue reconciliation, regular development reporting, and timely donor acknowledgements. As a member of the Development Team, the Coordinator is also responsible for helping the team achieve aggressive contributed revenue goals by providing excellent patron stewardship through timely, accurate, and professional correspondence, participating in development events, and fielding patron requests.

The Development Operations Manager attends all Arizona Opera performances and some special events (in both Phoenix and Tucson) for logistical support and donor cultivation.

Essential Job Functions:

Gift Processing and Tessitura Reporting (approx. 60% -- roughly 2-3 hours/day)

• Ensure the integrity of data entry in CRM, including name, address & salutation formatting, gift designation (campaigns, funds, purpose codes), and all associated information.
• Process, receipt, and deposit all gifts in a timely and accurate manner (including pledges, planned gifts, recurring gifts, tribute gifts, etc.)
• Process matching gifts, electronic transactions, and stock/securities.
• Oversee pledge tracking and pledge maintenance.
• Develop and generate weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual financial and advancement reports.

Gift Acknowledgement and Patron Stewardship (approx. 40% -- roughly 1-2 hours/day)

• Ensure all gifts receive timely, personalized acknowledgements within 48 hours of gift receipt.
• Work directly with the Director of Development and President and General Director to write personalized acknowledgement letters for major donors and institutional funders.
• Ensure accurate and timely donor recognition for all individual and institutional donors in printed materials, programs, and digital communication.
• Answers and directs incoming development telephone calls and emails. Traffic box office requests as needed. Responds to requests in a timely and professional manner. Directs specific inquiries to the appropriate staff member/department as appropriate.
• Manage timely distribution of benefits materials to new donors, including communication regarding parking, upcoming events, and other events as appropriate.
• Attend all Arizona Opera performances and select events, as required, to provide logistical support and patron stewardship.

The Successful Candidate Will:

• Be a proactive, self-starter, able to lead an area of responsibility with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate the ability to work under pressure and keep multiple projects on track without compromising performance.
• Have an attitude of service, a commitment to ongoing learning, and ability to contribute to a team.
• Take ownership and responsibility to solve problems and achieve business goals while seeking help from others when appropriate.
• Possess excellent verbal communication skills, both written and verbal, and be an active listener.
• Exercise sound judgment, handle confidential matters with discretion, and develop a broad knowledge of the institution’s programs, practices, policies, and procedures.