Senior Director of Engagement & Major Gifts

Founded in 1949, Sarasota Orchestra is one of Florida’s leading cultural institutions and a cornerstone of the Gulf Coast’s vibrant arts community. Known for its artistic excellence and innovative programming, the Orchestra presents a full season of Masterworks, Pops, Chamber, and Youth concerts, serving audiences across Sarasota and Manatee counties. Under the leadership of Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero, the Orchestra continues to elevate its artistic profile while deepening its connection to the community. Beyond the concert hall, Sarasota Orchestra is a powerful force for arts education and community engagement. Through youth orchestra programs, school partnerships, and accessible community performances, the organization reaches thousands of students and families each year. Education is not ancillary to the mission, it is central to it. The Orchestra’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians and audiences reflects both its civic leadership and its long-term vision. Sarasota Orchestra is also the parent program of the Sarasota Music Festival, one of the premiere teaching and performance festivals in the world for chamber music. Sarasota Orchestra is currently advancing plans for a transformational new Music Center, a permanent home designed to support artistic growth, expand education initiatives, and serve as a year-round cultural gathering space. This capital initiative represents a defining moment in the organization’s history and signals bold ambition for the future. With strong board leadership, a loyal donor base, and a deeply collaborative advancement team, Sarasota Orchestra is poised for its next chapter of impact and growth.

About the Opportunity

Sarasota Orchestra seeks a Senior Director of Donor Engagement - Major Gifts to join its established and successful Donor Engagement team. Known for its teamoriented fundraising culture, the Orchestra values collaboration, stewardship, and shared accountability in achieving philanthropic goals. This position focuses on the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major individual gifts, while supporting and helping execute successful giving campaigns. The Senior Director of Donor Engagement - Major Gifts will maintain strong awareness of the organization’s overall development program, including annual giving, foundation and corporate support, and revenue generated from special events. The role will also support fundraising efforts tied to the new Sarasota Music Center facility. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Advancement and Strategic Initiatives, the Senior Director of Donor Engagement - Major Gifts will work closely with fellow Donor Engagement team members to establish objectives, meet goals, and contribute to a culture grounded in stewardship, professionalism, and respect.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major individual donors and prospects to secure major gifts, annual fund support, and funding for special projects
• Interact with major donors, board members, and professional advisors, and participate in fundraising activities to strengthen relationships
• Participate in the tracking and qualification of new prospects, recording of gifts, and development of stewardship and acknowledgment strategies
• Participate in donor cultivation and stewardship at concerts, special events, receptions, and outside community gatherings
• Meet objectives and budget goals as a member of the Donor Engagement team
• As a member of the Music Center Campaign team, assist with prospect research, gift agreements, documentation, and donor stewardship and cultivation strategies
• Collaborate with the Campaign team in all aspects of the major gifts program for both the Capital Campaign and Annual Fund
• Support a respectful and positive working relationship with employees, patrons, and donors, promoting an inclusive culture aligned with Sarasota Orchestra’s values

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