Description

About Orpheus Chamber Orchestra:

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is a radical experiment in musical democracy, proving for over fifty years what happens when exceptional artists gather with total trust in each other and faith in the creative process. Orpheus began in 1972 when cellist Julian Fifer assembled a group of New York freelancers in their early twenties to play orchestral repertoire as if it were chamber music. In that age of co-ops and communes, the idealistic Orpheans snubbed the “corporate” path of symphony orchestras and learned how to play, plan, and promote concerts as a true collective, with leadership roles rotating from the very first performance. The sound of Orpheus is defined by relationships, and guest artists have always been crucial partners in the process. Having proven the power of direct communication and open-mindedness within the ensemble, the only relationship Orpheus has never had any use for is one with a conductor.

Position Summary:

Orpheus is seeking a strategic and experienced Development Lead to lead and grow our fundraising efforts. Working in close partnership with the Executive Director and senior staff, the Development Lead will drive the organization’s fundraising strategy, cultivate and steward relationships with a portfolio of individual donors, and ensure strong systems for oversight of grant management and reporting. This position is structured as a fractional, independent contractor position. 

This is a unique opportunity for a dynamic development professional to build upon the growth of a mission-driven arts organization. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with a proven track record of individual fundraising to manage a portfolio of donors. They’re someone who brings systems thinking, values alignment, and a deep understanding of how to match arts mission-driven work with funder priorities.

Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategy:

• Lead the execution of Orpheus’ fundraising strategy to meet short- and long-term revenue goals, in collaboration with the Executive Director and other staff.
• Set annual fundraising targets and long-term growth strategies to diversify and expand philanthropic support.
• Serve as a thought-partner to the Executive Director on fundraising growth and funder alignment.
• Oversee Development department planning and creation of annual department budget in coordination with senior management.
• In coordination with the Manager of Development, develop systems and tools to track fundraising performance and report progress to staff and the Board.
• With the Executive Director and staff, ideate emerging areas of organizational growth that align with the shifting priorities of funders.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Artistic Planning teams on messaging for external funder audiences and communication materials.
• Supervise Manager of Institutional Giving and Manager of Development.
• Cultivate new individual donors and re-engage lapsed donors.
• Serve as a staff liaison to the Development Committee, Governance Committee, and Finance & Investment Committee.

Fundraising & Funder Engagement:

• Manage and grow a portfolio of individual donors, including identifying and cultivating new major donor leads aligned with the organization's strategy and yearly plans.
• Oversee annual solicitation efforts for annual gifts at all levels to support general operating needs.  
• Work with Executive Director and Board Chair to cultivate, solicit, and steward Board members for annual and special gifts.
• Manage the Manager of Institutional Giving who leads grant writing, reporting, and stewardship and works in collaboration with program staff and musicians to develop content and ensure grant requests and deliverables are submitted on time.
• In collaboration with the Manager of Development, support the organization’s annual fundraising events including Opening Night and spring Gala.

Internal Systems & Capacity Building:

• Support the Executive Director in donor engagement, including preparing briefing materials, attending funder meetings, and managing follow-up communications.
• Work with Manager of Institutional Giving to ensure fundraising calendar is up to date with key deadlines and reporting requirements.
• Work with Manager of Development to ensure that gifts are processed in a timely manner and donor acknowledgements are sent to funders.
• Partner with marketing and program teams to surface stories, updates, and content for funders.

Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in development or fundraising, with demonstrated success in securing and stewarding individual gifts.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills; able to translate complex ideas into compelling pitches.
• Strong interpersonal skills, collaborative style and a relationship-centered approach.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a small, fast-paced team.
• Deep alignment with Orpheus mission, values, and commitment to equity.
• Experience in arts and culture organization is preferred.
• Fractional or consulting background a plus.

Compensation: 

This is a fractional, 1099 contractor position with a mix of remote and in-office work. Attendance will be required at specified events such as concerts, board meetings, and fundraising events. Occasional travel may be required. 

Compensation is structured as a fixed monthly retainer ranging from $9,000-$10,000 per month, commensurate with experience. As an independent contractor, this position does not include employee benefits. The contractor is responsible for their own taxes, insurance, and individual business expenses.  

Confidentiality:  

The contractor will have access to sensitive information about Orpheus’ operations, donors, and other proprietary information. A confidentiality agreement will be required.

To Apply:

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected] with Development Lead in the subject line.