The Development Manager supports a culture of connection with the ever-widening Desert Chorale community through clear and thoughtful communication, rigorous attention to detail, excellent time-management, and consistent follow-through. With a focus on donor cultivation and relationship building, the Development Manager plans fundraising and donor recognition events, leveraging technology to drive both daily tasks and larger projects and initiatives forward to completion. With the Executive Director, you will play a critical role in raising the financial support needed to advance the annual and strategic goals of the entire organization. Reporting to the ED, this position has significant interaction and requires friendly collaboration with all staff members.

Responsibilities and Outcomes: In this role, you will

• Facilitate the efforts of the Executive Director in achieving organizational fundraising goals
• Own the fundraising-side of CRM, ensuring patron data is accurate and thorough for ED relationship building
• Plan and execute events that draw current and prospective donors closer to the Desert Chorale
• Foster a positive experience for constituents through expert use of CRM, deep knowledge of SFDC activities, and friendly, solutions-oriented customer service over the phone, via electronic communication, and in person

Overview of Duties: Some of the key ways you will contribute

• Development Management
  • Create and maintain annual development plans, with an eye toward strategic and long term goals
    • Track progress and deliver data-driven analysis for current and future fundraising campaigns
    • Key player in delivering annual report, expressing impact to donors, audience, community
  • Donor cultivation and relationship management
    • Identify, qualify, and create plans to cultivate individual donor prospects
    • Schedule cultivation and solicitation meetings between major donors and prospects and Executive Director, and prepare solicitation and pledge letters as needed
    • Take on key role in donor stewardship, including maintaining regular, proactive contact, responding appropriately to life events, and seeking opportunities to deepen engagement
    • Develop and manage all donor groups including major donors and planned giving
    • Assist in providing concierge ticketing support to Board, sponsors, and major donors
  • Donation processing and reporting
    • Process all donations and review transactions processed by other staff, ensuring accuracy
    • Prepare and send donor acknowledgments in a timely manner, including annual tax receipts
    • Provide regular reports and analysis to internal and external constituents, and upon request

• Event Planning – with support from Executive Director, Development Committee and staff, DM is the point person for end to end planning and execution of all donor events, including but not limited to:
  • Annual Gala (coincides with Summer Festival)
  • Summer Festival Opening Night Reception
  • Five donor-hosted Salon events (cocktail parties with mini-recital)
  • Annual future season preview/sponsorship event
  • Participate in visioning and planning additional cultivation events

• Administrative & Cross-Departmental
• • Provide onsite support at concerts and events, with special attention to donors
  • Manage all development-related files and organizational systems and processes
  • Assist with preparation of fundraising expenses and income projections for annual budget
  • Provide administrative support to the Development Committee
  • Work with Marketing on collateral, direct mail, email campaigns, and development-related web pages
  • Secure donated housing, stewarding donors and ensuring suitability for personnel
  • Other duties and special projects as assigned

Desired Attributes: Qualities we think will make you most successful in this role

• Genuine affinity for and enjoyment in connecting to others (you’re a “people person”)
• Resourceful and self-motivated, with creative problem-solving skills
• Collaborative and able to build and maintain relationships with various and diverse constituents
• A calm presence in stressful situations, able to maintain composure and inspire the same in others
• Knowledge and appreciation of the choral art form

Systems: The Development Manager interfaces with the following platforms

• GMail, Google calendar, Google Workspace
• Monday.com project and task management platform
• PatronManager CRM (Salesforce technology)
• WealthEngine prospecting tool

Experience with these platforms is a plus.

Required Job Skills: On “Day One”, we expect you to demonstrate

• Exceptional attention to detail, organization, and time management
• Clear written and verbal communication skills
• Strong sense of integrity and discretion in handling confidential or sensitive information
• Professionalism, punctuality, and positive representation of the Chorale in all job functions

Education and Qualifications: Your experience matters, but we also know you are more than a degree and a resumé

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution preferred
• Prior experience in a closely related position/field preferred
• Ability to drive a motor vehicle with valid drivers’ license and reliable vehicle
• In-person work and New Mexico residency is required. Relocation expenses up to $2,000 are reimbursable.

What to Expect

Santa Fe Desert Chorale produces two main concert festivals in the summer (July-early August) and winter (December) as well as fundraising and occasional ad hoc events throughout the year. During peak seasons, staff work evenings and weekends in addition to daytime office hours; however, the Desert Chorale is committed to facilitating a reasonable work-life balance. During non-peak periods, more flexibility and hybrid office/work-from-home schedules are possible. Our team prides itself on supporting one another, working collaboratively, and maintaining open lines of communication. This is a place to learn and grow. Each employee is allocated a budget for professional development.

Schedule

• M-F, 40 hours/week (flexible schedule outside of these days/hours, including some remote work is possible)
• Evening/weekend hours will be required during peak periods, as well as throughout the year for special events

Compensation

• $50,000-58,000/year (full-time, exempt)
• Medical, vision, dental, as well as disability insurance coverage, with all premiums paid by the Chorale
• Annual Paid Time Off: 15 vacation days (earned via monthly accrual), plus 10 federal holidays and December 24-31 (8 days)
• Earned Sick Leave accrued per state law (Healthy Workplaces Act): one hour per 30 hours worked
• SIMPLE IRA plan matched at 3% (available following one year of employment)

To apply: submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to careers@desertchorale.org. References will not be contacted without notifying the applicant first.