Senior Director of Development, The Shepherd School of Music
Rice University - Houston, TX
Rice University seeks a Senior Director of Development, The Shepherd School of Music to serve as the chief development officer for The Shepherd School of Music and will plan, organize, and manage the development functions of the school, including complex major gift support within the Rice University setting. The Senior Director of Development will provide critical strategic leadership for an advancement program that incorporates development and external relations goals. The Senior Director of Development will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and principal gift donor prospects capable of gifts at the $100,000 level and higher. They should be knowledgeable of the performing arts and classical music philanthropic landscape and an excellent relationship builder who has experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies to secure major operational and programmatic commitments for special initiatives. The successful candidate will be a highly collaborative leader, strategic thinker, and independent entrepreneur with a demonstrated track record of securing major gift commitments and a proven ability to refine and actualize fundraising priorities in conjunction with key academic partners and administration.
The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University cultivates the mastery of musical performance, combining a conservatory experience with the educational opportunities of a leading research university. Guided by a belief that talent manifests along unique paths, The Shepherd School of Music limits its student body to 290 gifted young musicians. Each music major is provided access to world-class teachers dedicated to cultivating talent and professional success. The faculty at The Shepherd School is known for their individual instruction and for equipping musicians with the skills and experience necessary to develop their own esteemed careers. In just over four decades, The Shepherd School of Music has become a leading international music school, making it both one of the youngest and one of the most prestigious university-level programs in the country. A consistently highly ranked school of music, The Shepherd School is currently number six in the Niche list of best music schools in America. Alumni of The Shepherd School of Music go on to exceptional careers and include Pulitzer Prize and Grammy winners. They have debuted at Carnegie Hall, appeared with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the Metropolitan Opera, and hold positions in orchestras and chamber music groups around the country and globe.
"The Senior Director of Development will play an integral role on our team, serving as the chief development officer for the school. This professional will provide critical strategic leadership to cultivate deep and longstanding relationships with donors and further develop our presence as a leader in Houston’s arts and culture community. We welcome applications from those who are knowledgeable of the performing arts and classical music philanthropic landscape and are eager to build relationships and fundraising strategies to support one of the country’s top schools of music. The future of music is happening at The Shepherd School every day, and we are eager to build an inspired team to help create the musical success of tomorrow." — Matthew Loden, Lynette S. Autrey Dean of Music
For more information, including core competencies and qualifications, please refer to the full prospectus.
The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University cultivates the mastery of musical performance, combining a conservatory experience with the educational opportunities of a leading research university. Guided by a belief that talent manifests along unique paths, The Shepherd School of Music limits its student body to 290 gifted young musicians. Each music major is provided access to world-class teachers dedicated to cultivating talent and professional success. The faculty at The Shepherd School is known for their individual instruction and for equipping musicians with the skills and experience necessary to develop their own esteemed careers. In just over four decades, The Shepherd School of Music has become a leading international music school, making it both one of the youngest and one of the most prestigious university-level programs in the country. A consistently highly ranked school of music, The Shepherd School is currently number six in the Niche list of best music schools in America. Alumni of The Shepherd School of Music go on to exceptional careers and include Pulitzer Prize and Grammy winners. They have debuted at Carnegie Hall, appeared with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the Metropolitan Opera, and hold positions in orchestras and chamber music groups around the country and globe.
"The Senior Director of Development will play an integral role on our team, serving as the chief development officer for the school. This professional will provide critical strategic leadership to cultivate deep and longstanding relationships with donors and further develop our presence as a leader in Houston’s arts and culture community. We welcome applications from those who are knowledgeable of the performing arts and classical music philanthropic landscape and are eager to build relationships and fundraising strategies to support one of the country’s top schools of music. The future of music is happening at The Shepherd School every day, and we are eager to build an inspired team to help create the musical success of tomorrow." — Matthew Loden, Lynette S. Autrey Dean of Music
For more information, including core competencies and qualifications, please refer to the full prospectus.