Director of Individual Giving
Columbus Symphony, Columbus, OH, United States
The Columbus Symphony has served as central Ohio’s flagship music organization since 1951, enriching a growing and increasingly diverse metropolitan region through artistic excellence, innovative programming, and meaningful community engagement. Guided by Music Director Rossen Milanov, the Symphony presents performances that balance classical tradition with contemporary relevance, engaging audiences across genres and generations.
Programming is structured across four distinct series: Masterworks, Pops, Picnic with the Pops, and Education and Community Engagement. This approach allows the Symphony to serve loyal subscribers while continuing to expand its reach to new and younger audiences. From performances at the historic Ohio Theatre to large-scale summer concerts and community initiatives, the Symphony maintains a strong and visible presence throughout the region.
Beyond the concert hall, the Symphony plays an important civic role. Through sustained education programs and partnerships with schools and community organizations, thousands of students and families experience live orchestral music each year. These efforts position the Symphony not only as a performing arts institution -- but also as a cultural leader contributing to the vitality of Columbus.
The organization operates within one of the Midwest’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas and benefits from an engaged philanthropic community and a collaborative arts environment. With forward-looking leadership and clear strategic priorities, the Columbus Symphony is focused on deepening its impact and strengthening long-term sustainability.
The Opportunity The Director of Individual Giving will play a central role in that next phase of growth.
This position leads the Symphony’s individual philanthropy strategy, building a strong annual giving foundation while developing meaningful relationships with major donors. The Director will shape how individuals experience and support the Symphony, ensuring that engagement feels personal, strategic, and aligned with the organization’s artistic ambitions.
This is a role for a fundraiser who understands that revenue growth is the outcome of disciplined strategy and authentic relationships. The right candidate will bring both analytical rigor and a genuine enthusiasm for connecting people to music.
Position Overview Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director of Individual Giving leads the Symphony’s individual fundraising strategy across annual and major giving. This role is responsible for strengthening donor retention, increasing revenue, and building a clear pathway from entry-level support to significant philanthropic investment.
The Director manages a personal portfolio of $5,000+ donors while overseeing annual campaigns that create a reliable and growing base of support. This position works closely with senior leadership, Board members, and colleagues across the organization to ensure fundraising strategy aligns with programming and institutional priorities.
Key Performance Objectives First Month
Learn and assess existing annual giving programs and donor portfolios
Meet with Development staff, Marketing and Communications colleagues, Board leaders, and senior leadership
Review current donor pipeline, campaign performance, and engagement strategies
Document observations and provide strategic recommendations to the Chief Development Officer
First 3–6 Months
Annual Giving Leadership
Oversee direct mail, digital campaigns, donor circles, and special appeals
Achieve measurable growth in participation, retention, and average gift size
Target a 5–10% increase in donor renewal rate and a 5–15% increase in average gift size
Manage a personal portfolio of donors at the $5,000+ level
Conduct 20–25 donor meetings within the first six months
Secure $75,000–$125,000 in verbal commitments
Stewardship and Engagement
Implement timely and meaningful stewardship strategies
Participate in cultivation events with musicians and artistic leadership
Maintain complete and accurate donor records, including 100% completion of required contact reports
First Year
Achieve defined annual giving revenue goals
Secure a measurable number of new or upgraded major donors
Launch at least one enhanced donor engagement initiative
Demonstrate year-over-year growth in individual and major gift revenue
Strengthen alignment between fundraising efforts and programming, education, and community impact
Secure $250,000-$500,000 in verbal commitments
Other Duties
Promote best practices in donor relations and individual philanthropy across the organization
Attend concerts, cultivation events, and donor gatherings as required, including evenings and weekends
Represent the Columbus Symphony with professionalism and enthusiasm in the community
Contribute to a collaborative and solutions-oriented Development team culture
Key Qualifications and Experience
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE preferred
Progressive fundraising experience with demonstrated success in annual and major gifts
Proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors
Experience managing donor portfolios and advancing gifts at the $5,000+ level
Strategic and Analytical Capacity
Strong strategic planning and problem-solving abilities
Demonstrated ability to analyze performance data and translate insights into action
Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines in a dynamic environment
Relationship and Communication Skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire trust and confidence among diverse donors
High level of emotional intelligence and professional maturity
Ability to represent the Columbus Symphony with credibility and enthusiasm in the community
Technical Proficiency
Proficiency with donor management systems such as Tessitura, Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, or similar platforms
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
Professional Attributes and Requirements
Knowledge of and genuine passion for the performing arts strongly preferred
Flexibility to work evenings and weekends to support concerts, events, and donor engagement
Reliable transportation for off-site meetings
Successful completion of a background check
The salary range for this position is $ 105,000-115,000,
commensurate with experience and qualifications. The Columbus Symphony Orchestra offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that supports employee well-being and work-life balance.
To Apply The Columbus Symphony has engaged ThinkingAhead Executive Search to lead this search. Interested candidates should submit a resume and a letter of interest outlining their leadership experience and interest in the role.
Contact Information ThinkingAhead Executive Search
rholloway@thinkingahead.com
Jonathan McIntosh
ThinkingAhead Executive Search
jmcintosh@thinkingahead.com
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CSO does not discriminate in its employment decisions on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, lactation status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other protected status.
ThinkingAhead Executive Search is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a work environment that supports, inspires and respects all individuals. Personnel processes are merit-based and applied without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, national or ethnic ancestry, military service status, citizenship, or other protected characteristic. This applies to every aspect of employment including hiring, training, advancement and termination. The firm is committed to creating a just culture of diversity, equity and inclusion by practicing, within the company and the marketplace we serve, intentional strategies that serve marginalized individuals and groups.
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Programming is structured across four distinct series: Masterworks, Pops, Picnic with the Pops, and Education and Community Engagement. This approach allows the Symphony to serve loyal subscribers while continuing to expand its reach to new and younger audiences. From performances at the historic Ohio Theatre to large-scale summer concerts and community initiatives, the Symphony maintains a strong and visible presence throughout the region.
Beyond the concert hall, the Symphony plays an important civic role. Through sustained education programs and partnerships with schools and community organizations, thousands of students and families experience live orchestral music each year. These efforts position the Symphony not only as a performing arts institution -- but also as a cultural leader contributing to the vitality of Columbus.
The organization operates within one of the Midwest’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas and benefits from an engaged philanthropic community and a collaborative arts environment. With forward-looking leadership and clear strategic priorities, the Columbus Symphony is focused on deepening its impact and strengthening long-term sustainability.
The Opportunity The Director of Individual Giving will play a central role in that next phase of growth.
This position leads the Symphony’s individual philanthropy strategy, building a strong annual giving foundation while developing meaningful relationships with major donors. The Director will shape how individuals experience and support the Symphony, ensuring that engagement feels personal, strategic, and aligned with the organization’s artistic ambitions.
This is a role for a fundraiser who understands that revenue growth is the outcome of disciplined strategy and authentic relationships. The right candidate will bring both analytical rigor and a genuine enthusiasm for connecting people to music.
Position Overview Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director of Individual Giving leads the Symphony’s individual fundraising strategy across annual and major giving. This role is responsible for strengthening donor retention, increasing revenue, and building a clear pathway from entry-level support to significant philanthropic investment.
The Director manages a personal portfolio of $5,000+ donors while overseeing annual campaigns that create a reliable and growing base of support. This position works closely with senior leadership, Board members, and colleagues across the organization to ensure fundraising strategy aligns with programming and institutional priorities.
Key Performance Objectives First Month
Learn and assess existing annual giving programs and donor portfolios
Meet with Development staff, Marketing and Communications colleagues, Board leaders, and senior leadership
Review current donor pipeline, campaign performance, and engagement strategies
Document observations and provide strategic recommendations to the Chief Development Officer
First 3–6 Months
Annual Giving Leadership
Oversee direct mail, digital campaigns, donor circles, and special appeals
Achieve measurable growth in participation, retention, and average gift size
Target a 5–10% increase in donor renewal rate and a 5–15% increase in average gift size
Manage a personal portfolio of donors at the $5,000+ level
Conduct 20–25 donor meetings within the first six months
Secure $75,000–$125,000 in verbal commitments
Stewardship and Engagement
Implement timely and meaningful stewardship strategies
Participate in cultivation events with musicians and artistic leadership
Maintain complete and accurate donor records, including 100% completion of required contact reports
First Year
Achieve defined annual giving revenue goals
Secure a measurable number of new or upgraded major donors
Launch at least one enhanced donor engagement initiative
Demonstrate year-over-year growth in individual and major gift revenue
Strengthen alignment between fundraising efforts and programming, education, and community impact
Secure $250,000-$500,000 in verbal commitments
Other Duties
Promote best practices in donor relations and individual philanthropy across the organization
Attend concerts, cultivation events, and donor gatherings as required, including evenings and weekends
Represent the Columbus Symphony with professionalism and enthusiasm in the community
Contribute to a collaborative and solutions-oriented Development team culture
Key Qualifications and Experience
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE preferred
Progressive fundraising experience with demonstrated success in annual and major gifts
Proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors
Experience managing donor portfolios and advancing gifts at the $5,000+ level
Strategic and Analytical Capacity
Strong strategic planning and problem-solving abilities
Demonstrated ability to analyze performance data and translate insights into action
Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines in a dynamic environment
Relationship and Communication Skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire trust and confidence among diverse donors
High level of emotional intelligence and professional maturity
Ability to represent the Columbus Symphony with credibility and enthusiasm in the community
Technical Proficiency
Proficiency with donor management systems such as Tessitura, Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, or similar platforms
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
Professional Attributes and Requirements
Knowledge of and genuine passion for the performing arts strongly preferred
Flexibility to work evenings and weekends to support concerts, events, and donor engagement
Reliable transportation for off-site meetings
Successful completion of a background check
The salary range for this position is $ 105,000-115,000,
commensurate with experience and qualifications. The Columbus Symphony Orchestra offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that supports employee well-being and work-life balance.
To Apply The Columbus Symphony has engaged ThinkingAhead Executive Search to lead this search. Interested candidates should submit a resume and a letter of interest outlining their leadership experience and interest in the role.
Contact Information ThinkingAhead Executive Search
rholloway@thinkingahead.com
Jonathan McIntosh
ThinkingAhead Executive Search
jmcintosh@thinkingahead.com
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CSO does not discriminate in its employment decisions on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, lactation status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other protected status.
ThinkingAhead Executive Search is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a work environment that supports, inspires and respects all individuals. Personnel processes are merit-based and applied without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, national or ethnic ancestry, military service status, citizenship, or other protected characteristic. This applies to every aspect of employment including hiring, training, advancement and termination. The firm is committed to creating a just culture of diversity, equity and inclusion by practicing, within the company and the marketplace we serve, intentional strategies that serve marginalized individuals and groups.
#J-18808-Ljbffr