Description

Reports To: Director of Development

Supervises: Development Interns

Position Type: Full time, exempt

POSITION SUMMARY 

The American Composers Orchestra (ACO) seeks a full-time Senior Development Associate to play a central role in executing and advancing ACO's fundraising strategy. Reporting to the Director of Development, this position owns key development operations including annual fund management, donor communications, database integrity, and event coordination. The ideal candidate brings strong project management skills, excellent writing, and a proactive, entrepreneurial approach to relationship-driven fundraising. This role is based in NYC and is primarily remote with required attendance at public events; candidates should be based in the tristate area.

ABOUT ACO 

American Composers Orchestra (ACO) is dedicated to the creation, celebration, performance, and promotion of orchestral music by American composers. With a commitment to artistry, creativity, community, and equity, ACO produces concerts, pre-college and college education programs, and emerging composer professional development to foster a community of creators, audience, performers, collaborators, and funders. More information atwww.americancomposers.org. 

ACO’s composer advancement and artistic programs include: 

• EarShot Readings in NYC and in partnership with orchestras  across the Americas 
• CoLABoratory, which provides composers with opportunities to workshop and premiere adventurous new work
• Commissions and Consortia, including the Virginia B. Toulmin Orchestral Commissions Program, a program of the
• League of American Orchestras in partnership with ACO
• EarShot Publishing, executed in partnership with Boosey & Hawkes
• Concerts and recordings in NYC; recent venues include Carnegie Hall, Perelman Arts Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Apollo Theater, Manhattan School of Music, and others
   

CANDIDATE PROFILE 

ACO's staff is a dedicated team who share responsibilities and support each other's work. We are committed to building a workplace culture where all team members can bring their full selves with authenticity, and we actively seek to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from historically marginalized communities and backgrounds currently underrepresented in the orchestra field.

The ideal candidate brings a minimum of five years of nonprofit fundraising experience and is energized by the intersection of arts advocacy and relationship-driven development. They have daily availability during standard work hours and evenings/weekends for donor events, thrive in a results-driven remote environment, and are comfortable engaging with a range of stakeholders — including individual donors, board members, foundation program officers, and peer organizations. They are highly organized, proactive, and bring a genuine enthusiasm for ACO's mission of advancing American composers and expanding who gets to make and hear orchestral music. This role is a key hire as ACO continues to expand its national fundraising capacity, and we offer meaningful opportunities for professional growth and development.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Development Operations and Event Planning

• Work closely with the Director of Development to create and implement successful development strategies, including leading the planning and execution of annual fund campaigns, appeals, and renewals
• Manage all aspects of special event coordination, including the organization's annual gala, from logistics and vendor relationships to donor communications and day-of execution
• Provide assistance to the Development Committee of the Board and other Board Members involved in Development activities

Database Management

• Manage and maintain the organization’s Salesforce donor database, cultivate methods/protocols and confirm compliance and consistency in order to maintain donor records
• Collaborate with the external bookkeeper to ensure accurate recording and reconciliation of contributions

Donor Stewardship & Communications

• Manage the organization’s online fundraising pages
• Manage the drafting and execution of all donor communications, including development-related email campaigns, web content, annual reports, and other collateral materials
•  Work closely with graphic design and print firms to ensure timely delivery of print materials
• Provide administrative and operations support to the Development department such as answering donors’ inquiries via phone call and e-mail, managing digital files, scheduling, and other administrative tasks as needed
• Other duties as assigned in support of the organization’s fundraising goals

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS 

Expected salary range: $75,000-$80,000

Benefits include:

• Health and vision coverage
• Generous paid time off, including annual, personal, medical, and family leave
• 403(b) plan (Roth and traditional) with employer matching
• Flexible work environment
• Visa sponsorship available for qualified candidates (O-1, O-1B, and others considered on a case-by-case basis) — ACO welcomes applications from international candidates
   

TO APPLY 

Please visit www.americancomposers.org/open-positions-career/senior-development-associate to submit a cover letter and resume. We are seeking to fill this position immediately. 

ACO is an equal opportunity employer. ACO does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. 

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS 

A Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of experience in nonprofit fundraising or equivalent experience. The ideal person should be highly motivated with a self-starter attitude and has the ability to consistently achieve results with excellence. The ideal candidate should possess the following strengths:

• Exceptional project management skills, handling multiple deadlines at once
• Experience supporting fundraising events or campaigns
• Experience with Salesforce and Quickbooks is a must
• Understanding of various graphic design and marketing platforms like Mailchimp and Canva is a plus
• Advanced Google Suite skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships across the organization
• Capacity to execute detail-oriented work with accuracy
• Ability to work in a team setting and independently
• Solid research and technology abilities
• Willingness to learn new skills and systems to support the growth of the team
• Excellent writing and oral and interpersonal communication skills
• Sensitivity and discretion with handling confidential information
• Positive attitude and willingness to be adaptable to dynamic needs
• Adaptability, flexibility, and enthusiasm