Please submit your resume attached to a cover email to info@theamericanpops.org.

The Role:

The American Pops Orchestra (APO) is seeking an entrepreneurial and dynamic Director of Development to lead our fundraising efforts and drive the next phase of our growth. This is a high-energy, externally facing role that will serve as a key relationship manager and external face of the organization, responsible for cultivating and stewarding APO’s donors, including individual giving, corporate sponsorships, major gifts, institutional fundraising, and donor stewardship.

Reporting directly to founder & music director Luke Frazier, the Director of Development will be responsible for a $1M annual revenue goal, with a particular focus on securing new funding from individual donors, corporate sponsors, family foundations, and public grantmakers in the coming years. This role requires someone who thrives in social settings, enjoys engaging with high-net-worth individuals, and can confidently manage and execute sophisticated fundraising strategies independently.

If you thrive on building relationships, turning connections into impact, and making the case for transformational giving, we want to meet you.

Why Join APO?

• Be part of a bold, innovative organization redefining the orchestral experience.
• Lead fundraising efforts for a nationally recognized orchestra with a loyal donor base.
• Have the autonomy and creative freedom to test and execute new ideas.
• Competitive salary with performance-based bonus opportunities.
• A passionate, mission-driven team that believes in the power of music to unite and inspire.

Key Responsibilities

Major Gifts, Donor Engagement & Stewardship (35% of time)

• Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of individual major donors, ensuring a personalized, high-touch experience.
• Plan and execute exclusive donor events, such as fundraising dinners, pre-show receptions, and private concerts.
• Manage annual giving campaigns, donor appeals, and renewal efforts to increase retention and giving levels.
• Draft and personalize acknowledgment letters, impact reports, and other donor communications.

Grants & Corporate Sponsorships (25% of time)

• Research, write, and submit grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and final reports to public agencies and private foundations.
• Build and manage a calendar of deadlines and deliverables, ensuring all submissions and reports are timely and complete.
• Develop and maintain corporate sponsorship relationships, from proposal creation to benefits fulfillment and recognition.
• Coordinate with external fundraising consultants, as needed, to support grants and sponsorship efforts.

Fundraising Strategy & Prospecting (25% of time)

• Identify and pursue new donor prospects, building a pipeline of individuals, foundations, and corporate funders.
• Partner with board chair and founder to leverage relationships and expand APO’s funding network.
• Track performance against revenue goals and campaign benchmarks, adjusting strategy as needed.
• Development Operations & Administration (15% of time)
• Maintain and manage Neon CRM, ensuring clean data, accurate gift entry, and effective segmentation.
• Develop and implement internal systems for donor stewardship, pipeline management, and reporting.
• Prepare briefings, performance dashboards, and fundraising updates for leadership and board.
• Support fundraising event logistics, including invites, RSVPs, materials, and onsite coordination when needed.
  
  

Candidate Profile

We’re looking for a fundraising powerhouse – someone with charisma, hustle, and a deep passion for making music and the arts fun, accessible, and culturally relevant.

• A master networker: You thrive in social settings, love working a room, and can hold court with ultra-wealthy donors, VIPs, and corporate sponsors. You’re confident, charming, and can close gifts with grace.
• Politically savvy: You probably have a background in political fundraising, working with high-net-worth individuals who expect white-glove stewardship. You understand how to navigate high-protocol relationships and move donors quickly from prospect to gift closure.
• Entrepreneurial & scrappy: You see opportunities where others see obstacles. You don’t wait for permission - you run with ideas, operationalize them, and make things happen.
• A strategic closer: You know how to identify, cultivate, and convert prospects into donors. You’re analytical but also know how to pull emotional levers when making the ask.
• Big-ideas person & small-stuff executor: You dream big but execute with precision, ensuring no detail gets lost in the mix.
• Passionate about music & the future of the arts: You believe in breaking down barriers to classical and popular music, bringing fun, dynamic programming to diverse audiences nationwide and around the globe.

Starting Salary Range

$120,000-$140,000 + potential performance bonus, commensurate with experience