Annual Fund Manager

JOB OVERVIEW:

Utah Symphony | Utah Opera (USUO) seeks a strategic and detail-oriented Annual Fund Manager to support and grow our annual giving program, which engages a broad base of individual donors through annual appeals, special initiatives, and ongoing stewardship. Through this work, the annual fund helps sustain USUO’s world-class performances, education programs, and community engagement initiatives, reaching 450,000 residents annually.

Working closely with the Assistant Director of Individual Giving, the Annual Fund Manager will plan and execute multi-channel fundraising appeals, steward donors, and create meaningful opportunities for engagement. As part of a collaborative team, this role contributes meaningfully to the success of the annual fund and plays a key part in building a strong and sustainable base of support for USUO.

This position calls for strong communication and organization skills along with an interest in fundraising and donor engagement. The role offers a strong foundation for growth within individual giving and development, with opportunities to build strategy, deepen donor relationships, and expand fundraising expertise.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Annual Fund Strategy & Management:

• Partner closely with the Assistant Director of Individual Giving to implement annual fund strategy and achieve revenue goals.
• Lead the execution of 2–4+ annual fundraising appeals across direct mail, email, and digital channels.
• Segment and target donor and prospect audiences using Tessitura, leveraging data to drive more personalized and effective strategy.
• Write and produce compelling, mission-driven fundraising communications.
• Coordinate campaign schedules and production with internal teams and external vendors.
• Monitor appeal performance and analyze results to inform future strategy.
• Incorporate Giving Days (e.g. Giving Tuesday, Live PC Give PC) and special initiatives, such as Healthcare Night, into the overall annual fund plan.

Donor Stewardship, Engagement, & Retention:

• Manage fulfillment of donor benefits and recognition.
• Plan and execute donor cultivation and stewardship events such as open rehearsals, backstage tours, meet-and-greets, and Inside Opera.
• Coordinate donor communications, including newsletters and stewardship messaging.
• Manage a portfolio of annual donors (up to $3,000), with guidance, focusing on retention, reactivation, and upgrading giving over time.
• Track donor engagement and giving activity in Tessitura to inform segmentation and moves management.
• Provide exceptional customer service by responding to donor inquiries and resolving issues with professionalism and care.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Serve as an ambassador for USUO at performances, events, and donor functions.
• Staff events and performances as needed to support donor engagement.
• Perform other duties as assigned

DESIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum two years of relevant experience working in a non-profit or related field (fundraising, marketing, communications, or customer engagement).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling messaging.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and multi-tasking abilities with attention to detail.
• Experience working with databases or CRM systems (Tessitura experience a plus).
• Ability to analyze information and support data-informed decision-making.
• Commitment to providing a high level of customer service and building strong relationships.
• A willingness and ability to work some evenings and weekends.
• A strong commitment to the mission of USUO, demonstrating a genuine interest and passion for the arts, especially opera and symphonic music.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods of remaining stationary and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods of standing and moving at events.
• Ability to move up to 20 pounds.
• Prolonged periods of working outdoors in spring and summer months.

SALARY:

• Pay begins at $56,000-$58,000, plus excellent benefits.

TO APPLY:

Please apply online @ www.usuo.org/employment and include both a résumé and cover letter with your application. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

USUO will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. If you are excited about this role and feel that you can contribute to USUO, but your experience does not exactly align with every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply.