Careers and auditions

Job Title: Major Gifts Coordinator
Department: Donor Engagement
Reports To: Senior Vice President of Advancement and Strategic Initiatives
Classification: Full-time; Hourly / Non-Exempt
Supervises: N/A
Location: Sarasota, FL

General Overview:

Sarasota Orchestra has long been a cultural beacon in the community. As the oldest continuing orchestra in Florida, we have set a regional standard for diverse performances that inspire people of all ages to experience live music. We have been the foundation for music education across generations, highlighted through both an acclaimed Youth Orchestra program that has nurtured young talent for over 65 years, and an annual music festival for emerging musical artists from around the world. This dedication to exquisite performance and first-class musical education underscores our mission to inspire and engage the community through the transformative power of music.

Known for its unique, team-oriented fundraising culture, Sarasota Orchestra seeks to engage a Major Gifts Coordinator to join an established and successful team of fundraising professionals. Reporting directly to the Senior Vice President of Advancement and Strategic Initiatives, this role will provide critical administrative and execution support to a growing fundraising operation. As the Orchestra prepares for a transformational multi-year capital campaign to build a new Music Center and strengthen the endowment, this is a great opportunity to learn more about nonprofit operations during a historic fundraising effort.

Within the first 6 months, the Major Gifts Coordinator will establish an effective and efficient system to manage the Senior Vice President of Advancement and Strategic Initiatives’ calendar and major gifts portfolio, and independently coordinate department meetings and cross-functional workstreams.

Responsibilities:

Administrative & Operational Support for Senior Vice President of Advancement & Strategic Initiatives: (40%)

• Directly manage scheduling and travel arrangements;
• Prepare agendas, meeting briefings, and other materials for internal and donor meetings;
• Coordinate donor visits, events, and tours and collaborate across various internal teams to ensure successful and engaging visits for donors.

Major Gifts / Fundraising Operations: (40%)

• Draft written donor communications for the Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer;
• Track donor outreach and activity for the Senior Vice President’s portfolio;
• Support the fundraising leadership team in scheduling and organizing regular major donor portfolio reviews and maintenance of the campaign pipeline;
• Regularly update Tessitura with donor information for the Senior Vice President’s portfolio and generally for the campaign; leverage reports and dashboards to manage up on outstanding action items;
• Support with the planning, organization, and execution of campaign activity, donor events (i.e., cocktail parties, annual Education brunch, and pre-concert dinners), and personalized recognition and benefits strategies;
• Support execution of ad hoc research for prospects and existing donors.

Team Operations & Team Culture Support: (20%)

• Manage scheduling, agendas, note-taking, and follow ups for regular Advancement department meetings;
• Plan culture-building and recognition activities for the Advancement team (i.e., coordinating celebrations for birthdays, anniversaries, and wins);
• Coordinate a centralized calendar for the Advancement team including the creation and maintenance of standard two-week look-ahead to ensure clarity across the team and alignment with other departments;
• Manage expense reports.
• Willingness to embrace other duties as assigned. Duties and responsibilities described herein are not a comprehensive list, and additional job tasks may be assigned from time to time as necessitated by the Donor Engagement department and business needs.

Necessary Knowledge & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 1+ years of experience in nonprofits or fundraising (internships and college experience included).
• Impeccable attention to detail.
• Comfort with technology.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including some evenings and weekends.
• Excellent organizational and problem solving-skills.
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Capacity to design and manage systems and calendars for a team.
• Motivated to flexibly and quickly learn and adapt.
• Ability to interact professionally with donors, prospects, staff, or directors of the board.
• Interest in working in, and growing within, the world of arts and culture and/or nonprofit fundraising.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a goal-oriented team environment.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, sit, stand, walk, bend, reach, and use hands to finger, handle or feel. Repetitive motion is required while using a computer. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures and viewing a computer terminal. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

Working Conditions:

The job operates in a professional office environment and performing arts venues. The environment is generally moderate in temperature and noise level.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If you are interested in this opportunity with Sarasota Orchestra, please e-mail a cover letter and resume to [email protected] or call 941-487-2704 with any questions you may have. Thank you!

Job Title: House Manager (Part-Time)
Department: Patron Services
Reports to: Patron Services Manager
Classification: Part-time – Hourly / Non-Exempt
Supervises: None - N/A
Location: Sarasota, FL

General Overview:

Responsible for oversight of front-of-house activities and volunteer ushers for Sarasota Orchestra and Youth Orchestra Program concerts. Liaison with FOH managers at other venues where the Orchestra performs, serving as a point of contact for Orchestra volunteer auxiliaries. Responsible for reporting to and working closely with the Patron Services Manager. The House Manager shall support our organizational values by nurturing an inclusive, respectful and positive working relationship with all employees.

Responsibilities:

• Provide an excellent customer service experience by anticipating and fulfilling patron needs, warmly greeting patrons and overseeing patron seating
• Prepare and communicate pre-concert meeting with volunteers and staff
• Works with Patron Services Manager in resolving all seating or FOH patron issues or conflicts, maintaining customer satisfaction and comfort
• Manage emergency situations, providing basic First Aid if/when needed and generating written documentation
• Manage volunteer ushers at concerts; lead pre-concert usher meetings; distribute and use tools needed including radios, ticket scanners, doorstops, flashlights and nametags
• Ensure all public spaces are presentable and safe before, during and after performances
• Prepare lobby and hall for concerts
• Communicate and work closely with production, box office, development, facilities, operations and personnel staff to ensure the house opens and concerts start on time
• Complete Post Performance Reports after each concert
• Report any malfunctions or safety concerns in the lobby and hall, as well as patron complaints and concerns, to the Patron Services Manager or Facilities Manager in a timely manner
• Serve as liaison with the house management team when SO performs at other venues
• Serve as point person for Sarasota Police Department when scheduled for SO concerts for patrons safety at Holley Hall and Sarasota Opera House
• Perform other relevant duties and additional projects as assigned by management. Duties and responsibilities described herein are not a comprehensive list, and additional job tasks may be assigned from time to time as necessitated by the Patron Services department and business needs.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• 2+ years’ experience with volunteer, team or project management
• Strong leadership skills
• Exceptional customer service and decision-making skills
• Ability to work under pressure while maintaining a positive, patient and professional demeanor
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and situations concurrently
• Ability to work well in a team environment
• Availability to work nights and weekends
• Willingness to receive and maintain CPR/AED, First Aid and Bloodborne Pathogens certification
• Knowledge of concert/theatre environment
• Ability to learn and troubleshoot ticket scanning program
• Working knowledge and proficiency with Microsoft Office and Outlook
• Experience working with Tessitura Network and NSCAN a plus

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, sit, stand for extended periods of time, walk, move up and down stairs, bend, lift, use fingers and reach with hands and arms. The worker is required to have visual acuity to view a computer terminal, determine the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of work assigned, and make general observations of seating set-ups. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds.

Working Conditions:

The job operates in a professional office environment and performing arts venues. The environment is generally moderate in temperature and noise level.