Chief Development Officer
Boston Symphony Orchestra - Boston, MA
The Boston Symphony Orchestra seeks a Chief Development Officer to conceptualize, organize, and implement a comprehensive and strategic fundraising program in support of the BSO’s mission and vision for the future. The CDO will collaborate with senior BSO executives, development staff, Trustees, Advisors, and other volunteers to position the BSO for philanthropic partnership with donors at all levels, cultivate transformative gifts, and ultimately enhance the BSO’s regional, national, and global impact. The CDO will oversee individual giving; planned giving; corporate initiatives; foundations and government relations; donor and volunteer engagement; development research, information systems, and analytics; and development communications. The CDO will examine and continually strengthen all dimensions of the development program in consultation with the President and CEO. The CDO will recruit and inspire a high-performing development team; establish an analytic basis for strategy and decisions regarding philanthropy at the BSO; and unleash the potential of the existing prospect pool and substantially expand its dimensions. The CDO will be a proven fundraising visionary and strategist; an effective listener; and a strong collaborator with an ability to build a robust and productive network of partnerships.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra engages millions of people each year in the remarkable diversity and wonder of orchestral music and maintains homes at its iconic venues, Boston’s Symphony Hall and Tanglewood in Western Massachusetts. From the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the Charles River Esplanade to free community concerts throughout Greater Boston, an annual BSO Youth and Family series at Symphony Hall, humanities programs at the Tanglewood Learning Institute, and tour performances in concert halls around the world, the BSO remains committed to innovation, creativity, artistry, cultural relevance, education, civic engagement, and making orchestral music accessible to audiences of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of familiarity. Celebrated for its diverse programs, passionate performances, and tradition of innovation, the Boston Symphony Orchestra—under the artistic direction of Andris Nelsons since 2014—has been at the forefront of artistry for more than 140 years. At home, abroad, and through recordings, television, and radio broadcasts, a deep and inclusive commissioning legacy, and a history of cultivating emerging artists, the BSO reinforces its status as one of the world’s most accomplished and versatile ensembles, attracting world-renowned guest artists, composers, and conductors.
"The BSO is on the precipice of change, and the next Chief Development Officer will be an integral partner in advancing that change. As we lead up to our 150th anniversary in 2031, the BSO must meet this moment. The transformative ideas and investments that will support our arc of ambition will require transformational fundraising. I look forward to welcoming a strategic philanthropy partner into the team." — Chad Smith, Eunice and Julian Cohen President and Chief Executive Officer
For more information, including core competencies and qualifications, please refer to the full prospectus.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra engages millions of people each year in the remarkable diversity and wonder of orchestral music and maintains homes at its iconic venues, Boston’s Symphony Hall and Tanglewood in Western Massachusetts. From the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the Charles River Esplanade to free community concerts throughout Greater Boston, an annual BSO Youth and Family series at Symphony Hall, humanities programs at the Tanglewood Learning Institute, and tour performances in concert halls around the world, the BSO remains committed to innovation, creativity, artistry, cultural relevance, education, civic engagement, and making orchestral music accessible to audiences of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of familiarity. Celebrated for its diverse programs, passionate performances, and tradition of innovation, the Boston Symphony Orchestra—under the artistic direction of Andris Nelsons since 2014—has been at the forefront of artistry for more than 140 years. At home, abroad, and through recordings, television, and radio broadcasts, a deep and inclusive commissioning legacy, and a history of cultivating emerging artists, the BSO reinforces its status as one of the world’s most accomplished and versatile ensembles, attracting world-renowned guest artists, composers, and conductors.
"The BSO is on the precipice of change, and the next Chief Development Officer will be an integral partner in advancing that change. As we lead up to our 150th anniversary in 2031, the BSO must meet this moment. The transformative ideas and investments that will support our arc of ambition will require transformational fundraising. I look forward to welcoming a strategic philanthropy partner into the team." — Chad Smith, Eunice and Julian Cohen President and Chief Executive Officer
For more information, including core competencies and qualifications, please refer to the full prospectus.