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Director of Development

Position Filled
Director of Development (Full-time, exempt)

The Hochstein School seeks a Director of Development who will be responsible for the strategy, design, implementation, and management of all fundraising efforts for Hochstein, with the goal of building the School’s contributed resources through individual, foundation, government, and corporate support. Identification, cultivation, solicitation, and building and maintaining strong relationships with both new and existing donors will be the main focus of the Director of Development, as will developing and overseeing the backend systems that are key to maximizing results.

The Director of Development will report to the President & Executive Director and will supervise the Development Administrator.  The Director of Development is a member of Hochstein Senior Staff and will work closely with senior staff colleagues, faculty, members of the Board, and contractors, e.g. for grant writing.

Specific responsibilities:

  • Manage all development activities in keeping with The Hochstein School’s values, mission, vision, brand, and plans.
  • In collaboration with the President & Executive Director, develop strategies, tactics, and implementation plans to meet fundraising goals, including major gifts, annual campaign, special events, public and private grants and, as needed, capital funds.
  • With direction from the President & Executive Director, establish priorities for funding requests for Hochstein programs and services; work with Hochstein senior staff and faculty department/program chairs to develop compelling opportunities for major gifts and to develop partnerships with donors/sponsors; increase awareness of need-based scholarship program and partnerships with other organizations, especially around program priorities serving those in need. Attend concerts/activities and become generally knowledgeable about Hochstein programs.
  • With support from the Development Administrator, execute annual campaign, foundation and other institutional grant seeking, and special events fundraising, to meet annual goals.
  • Develop and implement cultivation visits and events, solicitations, stewardship, and recognition of current and prospective donors.
  • Oversee donor and gift record-keeping, databases, contact reports, gift processing, pledge reminder, and acknowledgement programs.
  • With support from the Development Administrator, prepare prospect briefing sheets for major cultivation meetings and special events.
  • Prepare, manage, and monitor a fundraising expense budget approved by the President & Executive Director for the Development Office.
  • Provide regular progress reports on fundraising goals and expenses.
  • With support from the Development Administrator, oversee and conduct research on prospective private, corporate, foundation, and government funders. Prepare and track grant proposals. Write and submit letters of inquiry, proposals and reports; coordinate site visits as needed; maintain detailed records of contacts, activity, deadlines, and other pertinent information.
  • Contribute to the School’s strategic and operational planning to set goals and identify priorities as a member of the School’s senior staff team.
  • Guide and oversee development of campaign/fundraising publications and other communications to support donor cultivation and stewardship.
  • Staff the Board’s Development and Governance committees.

Required Skills and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • At least 5 years of direct experience in non-profit fundraising
  • Knowledge of and successful experience with implementing fundraising principles, strategies, practices, and techniques
  • Knowledge of the individual and institutional funding community
  • A record of success in developing and sustaining productive working relationships with constituents including board members, donors, volunteers, and staff
  • Superior management, organization, and communication skills, both written and oral; professional presentation skills
  • Ability to think strategically about the needs of the School and the interests of prospective funders/donors
  • Strong skills in donor database and Microsoft Office; analytic thinking
  • Demonstrated ability to work at a fast pace and manage multiple projects simultaneously; flexibility, persistence, attention to detail
  • Friendly, accessible personality; a sense of humor
  • Able to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately
  • Passionate interest in Hochstein mission and programs
  • Personal vehicle and valid driver’s license required
  • CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) a plus

Salary:  $65,000

 

This search in ongoing until the position is filled. To apply, send a cover letter and resume to:

The Hochstein School
ATTN: Hilary Respass, President & Executive Director
50 North Plymouth Avenue
Rochester, NY  14614

hilary.respass@hochstein.org (e-mail applications preferred)

 

Hochstein is a vibrant organization in Rochester, NY, offering instruction in music, dance, and expressive arts (music, art, and dance therapy). Hochstein annually serves more than 3,500 students from a 12-county region surrounding Rochester. The School is active throughout the community and provides tuition assistance to more than 50% of its students. The acclaimed Hochstein Performance Hall, located within the school's historic downtown building, hosts frequent concerts and events.

 

The Hochstein School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to afford equal opportunities to all persons employed by or seeking employment with the School. The School prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of an employee’s or applicant’s race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital status, military or veteran status, arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status, the employee’s or the employee’s dependent’s reproductive health decision-making, and any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

 

Please visit these links for information regarding employee rights under the Family Medical Leave Act and Employee Polygraph Protection Act.

 

October 2023