ABOUT THE MUSIC CENTER: The Music Center is one of the largest and most highly regarded performing arts centers in the country, with a vision to deepen the cultural lives of all Angelenos. As LA’s premier performing arts destination, it has long been at the forefront of presenting innovative and critically acclaimed programs. With four iconic theaters and four renowned resident companies—Center Theatre Group, LA Master Chorale, LA Opera, and LA Philharmonic—The Music Center is a place where audiences find inspiration in live performance. The Music Center also programs and manages Grand Park, a 12-acre adjacent greenspace.

In addition to its illustrious dance programming, free and low-cost engagement experiences, and nationally recognized arts learning programs, The Music Center partners with local communities to expand events and activities beyond its downtown campus directly into schools and neighborhoods.

THE OPPORTUNITY: The Senior Director of Principal Giving is a highly collaborative, proactive, resourceful professional who is passionate about arts, culture, and civic engagement. The Senior Director is responsible for developing meaningful relationships by creating and overseeing cultivation and stewardship strategies that engage and connect principal donors to the mission and vision of The Music Center.

The candidate for this position will join a 22-person team of dynamic fundraising professionals. The Music Center is led by committed, diverse, and inspirational leaders. The Senior Director will execute a comprehensive plan to maximize the success of various fundraising efforts and secure significant philanthropic resources from individual donors for The Music Center’s fundraising priorities. In collaboration with The Vice President of Advancement, the Senior Director will also provide strategic leadership for various fundraising activities of the advancement office, including the launch of a historic comprehensive campaign.

The Senior Director of Principal Giving reports to the Vice President of Advancement and serves as an integral member of the development team. Reporting to the Senior Director is a team of two professionals.

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Genuine interest in The Music Center’s mission and a strong commitment to the arts.
• A minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience in the advancement field.
• A proven track record of success in personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and principal gifts from individual donors.
• A high level of comfort and effectiveness working with high-net-worth individual and organizational leaders.
• Ability to evaluate, strengthen, and enhance the principal gift pipeline. Develop and implement new and innovative ways to identify and acquire prospective donors, increase donor retention, and upgrade and renew existing donors.
• Demonstrate leadership experience in building fundraising programs and teams and fostering a culture of collaboration and achievement.
• History of direct experience in developing and implementing sophisticated strategies for donor/volunteer involvement, and proven ability to close gifts.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from key leaders, donors, and prospects.
• Excellent listening, writing, and speaking skills.
• Superior analytical, planning, problem solving, and supervisory skills with reliably sound judgment, self-direction, attention to detail, and high energy.
• Adherence to the highest standard of best practices and ethics in the fundraising field.
• A bachelor’s degree is required.

The annual compensation range for this position is $150,000-$165,000. This is a full-time exempt position. Currently, the Advancement team practices a hybrid schedule with weekly work onsite for team days as well as for performance and events. The compensation package includes medical, dental, and vision health plan, welfare insurance benefits, a 401(k) plan with employer contribution, and paid vacation and sick days.

Howe-Lewis International is pleased to assist The Music Center with this exciting opportunity. To apply, please click here or visit howe-lewis.com and click on the “Assignments” tab on the top menu. You may also email your resume and letter of interest to Tom Citera at tom@howe-lewis.com