Jazz St. Louis
POSITION TITLE: DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
REPORTS TO: PRESIDENT & CEO
ABOUT JAZZ ST. LOUIS
The mission of Jazz St. Louis is to lead our community in advancing the uniquely American art of jazz through community engagement, education, and performance.
In August 1995, Jazz St. Louis was founded by the late Barbara Rose, who initiated the Jazz at the Bistro music series showcasing national and international artists in an intimate setting. After her passing in 1998, Gene Dobbs Bradford took the helm and expanded the musical genres offered while also developing educational and community outreach programs. In September 2022, JSL appointed acclaimed saxophonist and clarinetist Victor Goines to guide the organization into its next phase of growth. Prior to joining JSL, Goines spent close to thirty years with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and served as an education consultant for their programs. He has performed with the industry’s elite, including Dizzy Gillespie, Ellis Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, Taj Mahal, Ruth Brown, Dick Clark, Aaron Neville, Harry Connick, Jr., and many others. Goines also brings four decades of academic expertise to Jazz St. Louis from esteemed institutions like The Juilliard School and Northwestern University.
In 2006, Jazz at the Bistro was officially renamed Jazz St. Louis to better encompass its emphasis on performance, education, and community involvement. Following a triumphant $6.5 million capital campaign in October 2014, the Bistro and its neighboring structure underwent extensive renovations and transformed into the Harold & Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz. This exceptional center now comprises three dynamic spaces: The Ferring Jazz Bistro, Nancy’s Jazz Lounge, and the Centene Jazz Education Center, all dedicated to enriching the St. Louis community with the soulful sounds of jazz.
Jazz St. Louis is a standout nonprofit arts organization in the United States, showcasing top-tier artists while nurturing the next generation of jazz talent. Through its acclaimed educational initiatives like Jazz Academy and JazzU, JSL has laid the foundation for numerous young talents and scholars in St. Louis who have gone on to successful careers in music and beyond. Situated in the vibrant Grand Center district, JSL is deeply committed to community engagement, offering diverse programs such as The Next Set on St. Louis Public Radio, Whitaker Jazz Speaks, The Book Club, Music Heals, Jazz in the Schools, STL-Made, and its popular Summer Concert Series.
Known for its collaborative spirit, JSL partnered with other St. Louis organizations on innovative projects like Terence Blanchard’s groundbreaking opera, Fire Shut Up In My Bones, a joint commission with Opera Theater of St. Louis and the first opera by an African American composer to grace the Metropolitan Opera stage. In a recent milestone, JSL appointed Keyon Harrold as its inaugural Creative Advisor in May 2021, supported by the Mellon Foundation for a three-year term. With an impressive reach that extends to over 180,000 students through educational endeavors, JSL serves as one of the most diverse arts organizations in the region and the nation as recognized by the Missouri Arts Council, naming JSL Missouri’s Outstanding Arts Organization in 2011. For more information, visit www.jazzstl.org.
POSITION SUMMARY
Jazz St. Louis is seeking a dynamic and results-driven individual to join as the Director of Development. This key role requires a proven track record in major gift fundraising and a strategic approach to growing the organization’s financial resources. Working closely with the President & CEO, Jazz St. Louis staff, and Board leaders, the Director of Development will play a vital role in securing and expanding major gifts from corporate, government, and foundation supporters.
In addition to maintaining current funding sources, the Director of Development will be instrumental in strategically expanding the donor base to support Jazz St. Louis’s anticipated growth. Collaboration with the marketing team will be crucial in sharing impactful stories that resonate with existing donors and attract new supporters. The successful candidate will lead the annual fundraising efforts to meet a budget of $4.3 million, ensuring the organization’s sustainability and continued success.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
· Expand JSL’s current donor base and increase annual giving, identifying new individual and corporate sponsors to support JSL’s growing educational programs and community outreach.
· Strategize, develop, and execute plans for a special Gala event annually.
· Pursue support from national corporate and foundation sponsors for more extensive collaborations and outreach efforts, including JSL’s growing live streaming and digital platform.
· Create and monitor strategic development plans, yearly development action plans, and budgets to meet organizational plans and goals. Prepare monthly progress reports.
· Develop, monitor, and manage all JSL fundraising activities aligned with its strategic objectives, including membership, individual giving, major gifts, corporate/foundation grants, show sponsorships, planned giving, and special events.
· Establish a stewardship plan and communication strategy to maintain and improve donor relations, particularly on the stewardship of major donors.
· Work with President & CEO, Board, volunteer leadership, and consultants in formulating and implementing Capital/Endowment Campaign strategies, including donor identification, gift cultivation, solicitation, donor recognition, stewardship, and reporting.
· Engage the Board Development Committee as staff liaison.
· Seek opportunities for collaboration by establishing and maintaining relationships with other organizations, foundations, and critical community and strategic partners.
· Collaboratively lead a development staff, including the Development Manager and Grants Manager.
· Provide training, instruction, and direction to interns, volunteers, and Board members to support development efforts.
· Collaborate with and support, where necessary, other departments—such as marketing and education—in producing materials to further the JSL’s mission.
· Ensure that donor files and records are maintained accurately and in accordance with IRS guidelines.
· Execute written proposals, stewardship reports, and other donor communications.
· Attend performances and special events at JSL and other venues to meet and steward donors.
· Assist in maintaining the quality control of written documents and data entry. Participate in the review process for outgoing materials, i.e., donor reports and proposals, brochures, invitations (as needed), and newsletters.
· Work with the President & CEO to manage and grow a Planned Giving program.
· Plan and execute special projects and funding opportunities.
QUALIFICATIONS
· A bachelor’s degree is necessary, with a preference for a master’s degree. Any additional education or professional credentials would be advantageous.
· Thorough knowledge of development/fundraising concepts and solicitation techniques with an emphasis on major gift solicitation. Capital campaign experiences are preferred, and experience in development for arts and/or education organizations is a plus.
· Successful track record of identifying, cultivating, and soliciting from various funding sources.
· Experience with databases is required. Experience with Tessitura Network software is a plus.
· Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and manage a strategic plan, annual plans, and budgets.
· Dynamic personality complemented by the strong public speaking and interpersonal skills necessary to make compelling presentations to large audiences, small groups, and individuals. Experience working directly with senior executives, foundation directors, and community leaders.
· Strong leadership, management, and interpersonal skills that promote effective team building and relationships with volunteers, staff, board members, and community partners.
· Excellent written and oral communication skills with experience developing successful donor communications and marketing materials.
· Experience in a supervisory role.
· Must demonstrate initiative and be able to perform well with minimal supervision.
· Comfortable working with ambiguity and changing priorities.
· Able to manage multiple assignments in a fast-paced, nonprofit setting.
· Ability to entertain and socialize after business hours to cultivate donor relationships.
· Knowledge and appreciation of jazz music with a willingness to learn is a plus.
TO APPLY
This is a full-time position with a competitive salary and health benefits. Salary commensurate with experience. To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to careers@jazzstl.org.
