Statement of the Job:

The Director, Annual Giving is responsible for overseeing the Annual Giving team, which includes an Annual Giving Officer and two Assistant Managers. The team is responsible for acquiring, upgrading, renewing, and caring for all annual membership donors who give up to $15,000 annually through various solicitation channels such as direct mail, telefunding, online/digital giving, subscription/ticketing add-on/round-up giving, personal solicitation, and special events. The Director, Annual Giving collaborates closely with the Director of Major Gifts to identify and cultivate prospects for major gifts. The role also works in collaboration with the Major Giving and Philanthropy Operations teams, with a focus on data management, tracking efforts, and executing membership benefits and fulfillment.

Salary ( $112,000 - $140,000 )

In addition to overseeing the direct response campaigns of the annual giving cycle, the Director, Annual Giving is also responsible for other special project fundraising campaigns aimed at broadening and diversifying the donor base, improving the donor experience, and implementing innovative fundraising approaches. The Director, Annual Giving is expected to proactively seek out, evaluate, and recommend new strategies to increase donor engagement and fundraising revenue for the LA Phil.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute strategies for all aspects of the annual giving/Friends of the LA Phil program, including direct mail, telefunding, online solicitations, subscription add-on giving, ticket purchase round-up giving, and donor valet parking campaigns. Serve as the primary liaison with all vendors supporting the annual fund, including telefunding, direct mail, and data management vendors.
• Oversee all activities of the direct response campaign, including campaign logistics, direct mail and telefunding solicitation, pledge fulfillment, and integration of donors into the annual giving cycle, building a successful pipeline to major gifts.
• Forecast and report on weekly, quarterly, and annual fundraising results, goals, and expense budget for the Annual Giving and Special Project campaigns.
• Manage the acquisition, upgrading, renewal, and care of annual donors, and identify and cultivate prospects, with a focus on building a donor-centric giving experience, providing high-level customer service and stewardship to all supporters giving up to $15,000 annually to the LA Phil.
• Research and identify new methods and techniques to boost results and minimize expenses.
• Work closely with Marketing colleagues to determine cross-over/collaboration projects and integrate Philanthropy messaging (where appropriate) into Marketing efforts, along with regular information sharing of timely Marketing updates with Philanthropy staff.
• Evaluate changing database fundraising trends and technologies. Formulate and implement new strategies that will result in greater donor productivity and the most efficient use of fundraising expense dollars. Streamline methods that integrate marketing channels (phone, mail, online, onsite, etc.).
• Mentor, supervise, and manage the Annual Giving team to prioritize and support various aspects of Annual Giving work to reach fundraising goals and strategic targets for the Philanthropy Department.
• Determine short and long-term plans, including new strategies, to raise more funds in annual giving campaigns.
• Oversee donor engagement points as part of the annual Friends membership, including Donor Associate benefit tracking, Philanthropy usage, donor troubleshooting, and assessing donor feedback to make changes as necessary to policy, as needed.
• Plan Friends membership program, benefits, and oversee year-round benefit fulfillment.
• Collaborate with all Philanthropy Operations to coordinate all aspects of acknowledgment letters and year-end receipts for annual and special project giving. Draft, revise, and edit acknowledgment letters, as needed.
• Supervise staff and orchestra campaigns including renewal and acquisition efforts, benefits fulfillment, and acknowledgement.
• Provide oversight for gift processing, data management, and coding policy and procedures in collaboration with the Philanthropy Operations and Marketing teams, representing the needs of Annual Giving.
• Manage all aspects of Philanthropy Special Project fundraising and engagement campaigns, such as seat naming campaigns at the Hollywood Bowl (Your Name Under the Stars), Hollywood Bowl Pool Circle giving and logistics, and programs aimed at diversifying and broadening the donor base (CODA Plus).
• Generate regular analytical reports and updates on all levels of annual giving and other special project campaigns, as directed, to inform fundraising strategies and tactics.
• In collaboration with the Hollywood Bowl and Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Offices, oversee the strategy and execution of the Philanthropy Annual Donor Seating Improvement Process, aimed at enhancing the donor experience during performances at LA Phil venues.
• Assist with other fundraising activities as assigned by the Director of Individual Giving and Chief Philanthropy Officer, providing support to meet departmental fundraising goals.
• Oversee all budgeting and tracking for Annual Giving and Special Project expenses and revenue goals, ensuring fiscal responsibility and accountability.
• Assume responsibility for additional Special Project fundraising, as needed, to support the goals and initiatives of the Philanthropy Department.

Reports To: Vice President, Philanthropy