The San Francisco Conservatory of Music seeks a Vice President of Advancement (VPA) reporting to the President and serving as a key member of its senior leadership team to support the mission, vision, and growth of SFCM within an inspiring and dynamic organization.
As the lead strategic fundraiser and liaison to the President and Board, the VPA directs, recruits, and mentors an outstanding team of 11 development professionals while overseeing all aspects of Advancement at SFCM. Building on the momentum of the successful capital campaign for the Bowes Center, planning is underway for a comprehensive effort to grow annual fund, endowment, and special project support.
The VPA will direct and lead annual fundraising of $8 million, as well as demonstrate progress toward the longer-term funding plans for SFCM. The direct reports for the VPA are the Associate Vice President of Advancement, the Associate Vice President of Advancement Operations, and the Director of Donor Engagement and Special Events. The ability to travel as needed to represent SFCM and to be present at evening and weekend events is required.
Role and Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and leads goal-driven, short and long-term fundraising plans to support contributed revenue for SFCM.
- Direct individual giving, major gifts, alumni support, corporate and individual support, fundraising events, planned gifts, and stewardship activities for annual and endowment support. Advises and assists the President and key Trustees on principal gift strategy and solicitation.
- Collaborate with the President and key trustees to ensure strong momentum for partnerships, special initiatives, and opportunities available through the alliance of Opus 3 Artists, Askonas Holt, and Pentatone.
- Strategize with key members of SFCM’s senior leadership team to align operational priorities and maximize engagement with the donor, alumni, student, and faculty communities.
- Cultivate and solicits a portfolio of high-net-worth donors for major and planned gifts.
- Partner with volunteers and SFCM’s event leaders to conceive, implement, and evaluate contemporary and compelling events that drive donor engagement and fundraising for SFCM.
- Maximize the opportunities to engage alumni in support and leadership of SFCM.
- Maintain a strategic knowledge of best practices and significant trends in philanthropy and adapt fundraising strategies as necessary.
- Embrace other strategic leadership and comprehensive implementation responsibilities as needed.
Board and Donor Engagement
- Act as primary liaison to the Advancement Committee, Campaign Cabinet, and Governance & Nominating Committee.
- Collaborate with the President and Nominating Committee to identify, cultivate, and recruit prospective board members.
- Create strategies with the Advancement Committee that build meaningful paths for the Bay Area’s diverse community to engage in supporting SFCM as donors, partners, advisors, and community ambassadors.
- Advise board members, both individually and collectively, on best practices in community ambassadorship and donor cultivation.
- Embrace other board and donor engagement responsibilities as needed.
Team and Organizational Oversight
- Shape the strategic development plan for Advancement operations.
- Manage the Advancement leadership team to ensure there are established performance metrics and that Advancement staff are accountable for and reach their fundraising goals.
- Ensure that the Advancement department structure and staffing are optimized to support SFCM’s fundraising goals and that Advancement staff have the supervisory support and administrative resources they need to be successful. Recruits and mentors new team members.
- Oversee the strategic use of the database and other development communication tools, coordinating communications with existing and potential donors to ensure the highest level of donor engagement, satisfaction, and expressions of appreciation.
- Model the continued development and maintenance of effective communications and record management programs for donor engagement and data collection/tracking, coordinating closely with colleagues in Marketing and Communications.
- Guide and oversees spending for Advancement operations and ensures budget adherence.
- Create a supportive, collaborative, productive, and healthy work environment based on respect, teamwork, and the equity, diversity, and inclusion values of the SFCM.
- Embrace other team leadership responsibilities as needed.
Traits and Characteristics
The Vice President of Advancement will have the willingness to engage and work with different perspectives and demonstrate an openness to new ideas, complemented by outstanding interpersonal skills. Demonstrating an ability to engage donors at all levels, trustees, senior leadership, staff, and other key members of the SFCM community, the VPA will model accountability and diplomacy as foundational skills in the role. Characteristics of the VPA include:
- Team Leadership and Diplomacy – The dexterity to anticipate, meet, and exceed a variety of stakeholder needs and expectations, inspiring others in effectively handling difficult or sensitive issues.
- Personal Accountability and Interpersonal Skills – The capability to accept responsibility for actions and results, reevaluate, and develop long-term relationships with people across the organization and throughout the community.
- Time and Priority Management – The acuity to develop initiatives and demonstrate self-control in time and priority management while identifying and overseeing resources, tasks, systems, and people to obtain results.
- Stakeholder Focus – The sensitivity to anticipate, meet, and/or exceed stakeholder needs, wants, and expectations.
- Goal Orientation – The capacity to set, pursue, and attain goals regardless of obstacles or circumstances.
Qualifications
A minimum of seven years of proven organizational, supervisory, and fundraising leadership experience is required. A successful record of conceptualizing and executing fundraising plans, particularly in a performing arts or higher education context is desired. Excellent oral and written communication skills, with an ability to sincerely advocate for and promote SFCM, are needed.
Compensation and Benefits
San Francisco Conservatory of Music provides a competitive salary depending on experience in a range that starts at $300,000/year, with generous health and welfare benefits.
Applications and Inquiries
To submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred), please visit https://artsconsulting.com/opensearches/san-francisco-conservatory-of-music-seeks-vice-president-of-advancement/ . For questions or general inquiries about this job opportunity, please contact:
Nan Keeton, Senior Vice President
268 Bush Street, Suite 4100
San Francisco, CA 94104
Tel (888) 234.4236 Ext. 203
Email SFCM-VPAdvancement@ArtsConsulting.com
San Francisco Conservatory of Music is a fully committed equal employment opportunity institution and welcomes applications from all qualified persons, including those who consider themselves to be of a race, national origin, or ancestry that is not fully represented in musical arts programs in the United States. Personnel decisions regarding applicants for employment are made without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran, age, citizenship, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.
