Director of Institutional Partnerships & Strategic Giving

DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS & STRATEGIC GIVING JOB DESCRIPTION 
 

Department:  Advancement  

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Work Location:  Primarily onsite with some remote work  

FT/PT: Full-time 

Last Revision Date: June 11, 2025 
 

How to apply: A cover letter is required for consideration of this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address:  

• Your specific interest in the position and working at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra  
• Outline your skills and experience that directly relate to the responsibilities of the role 

 
The Organization: The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is known internationally for trailblazing performances, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and a deep commitment to serving our community. Making its home in historic Orchestra Hall at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, the DSO actively pursues its vision to be an inclusive and culturally relevant community where all people can experience their world through music. 
 

The DSO is a complex organization. Operating 365 days per year in historic Orchestra Hall, one of America’s most acoustically perfect concert halls, we are a performing arts institution, an educational facility, and a community center. We are governed by an independent Board of Directors and employ both union and non-union employees as musicians, stage crew, and administrative staff. Creating a unified culture throughout the institution is an organizational imperative, and we are guided by our values of excellence, diversity, resilience, collaboration, and innovation. The DSO is also deeply invested in the city of Detroit; through our Detroit Strategy initiative, we are expanding the DSO’s participation in the growth and well-being of the city. 
 

The DSO offers a unique, fast-paced working environment, an excellent overall compensation package, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information visit www.dso.org. 
 

Position Summary: The Director of Institutional Partnerships and Strategic Giving provides strategic and day-to-day leadership of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s foundation and corporate fundraising programs. Serves as a partner to the Chief Revenue Officer on government initiatives. This position is responsible for securing more than $5 million annually in support of operations, as well as additional restricted support for special artistic or learning & engagement projects, and capital/endowment initiatives. Reporting to the Senior Director of Advancement, the Director oversees a high-performing team and serves as the organization’s primary strategist and relationship manager for top corporate and foundation funders. This role is charged with building long-term partnerships rooted in shared values, driving results through dynamic storytelling, and aligning institutional giving with the DSO’s programmatic priorities. In addition to meeting immediate fundraising goals, this role plays a critical part in shaping the DSO’s multi-year financial sustainability by aligning institutional funding strategy with the organization’s long-term artistic, educational, and capital investment priorities. 

Key Areas of Focus: 

• Develop and execute a unified strategy for institutional fundraising that integrates foundation and corporate giving 
• Cultivate and steward high-value partnerships that reflect the DSO’s values, impact, and innovation 
• Manage a cross-functional team of professionals to meet and exceed fundraising goals 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities: 

Revenue & Strategic Leadership 

• Manage annual fundraising goals exceeding $5 million across foundation and corporate sources, as well as government-sponsored grants and opportunities as they become available. 
• Lead all aspects of institutional support for organizational priorities including Annual Operations, Events, and Capital/Endowment, as well as special projects including recordings, touring, and residencies. 
• Maintain a comprehensive multi-year plan for renewals, new funding opportunities, and prospect pipeline development. 
• Develop 3 to 5-year funding roadmaps in partnership with senior leadership and program teams to anticipate future needs and proactively position projects for investment. 
• Ensure fundraising strategies are aligned with the DSO’s broader institutional priorities and long-range strategic plan, including artistic innovation, educational reach, and infrastructure investments. 
• Build compelling cases for support and lead cross-departmental collaboration to align funding priorities with institutional partner interests. 

Team Leadership 

• Oversee a team including the Manager of Institutional Giving and the Institutional Giving Specialist. 
• Provide mentorship, performance management, and growth opportunities to team members. 
• Foster a collaborative, high-accountability culture grounded in partnership, creativity, and results. 

Partnership Development & Portfolio Management 

• Personally manage a dynamic portfolio of institutional funders, including national and regional foundations, and corporate partners contributing more than $100,000 annually. 
• Design and lead tailored cultivation strategies that grow single-year gifts into sustained, multi-year investments. 
• Lead the development of strategic proposals, detailed budgets, and tailored stewardship that advance multi-year support. 
• Develop sponsorship packages and partnership activations that support visibility, engagement, and shared impact. 
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting for all grants and sponsorships, working in close coordination with Finance and program leads. 

Cross Departmental & External Collaboration 

• Collaborate with Artistic and Learning & Engagement program teams to identify fundable opportunities and articulate impact. 
• Coordinate with Marketing and Communications to deliver high-quality recognition, storytelling, and brand alignment. 
• Serve as an internal advocate for funder priorities, helping ensure projects and proposals are responsive and strategic. 

Volunteer & Board Engagement 

• Serve as a staff liaison to select board-level committees or taskforces. 
• Work closely with Board members to identify strategic opportunities, activate networks, and position institutional giving as a core pillar of Board-level philanthropic planning. 
• Staff a minimum of two concerts in the Herman & Sharon Frankel Donor Lounge each month 
• Perform other duties as assigned, in support of the DSO’s fundraising functions. 

Required Qualifications: 

• 7+ years of fundraising experience 
• 3-5+ years supervision and/or team management 
• Successful experience performing personal solicitations of major and planned gifts 
• Proven ability to lead multi-year fundraising strategies and secure institutional support at six- and seven-figure levels 
• Knowledge of planned giving vehicles, IRS regulations, and financial planning 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills 
• Ability to act independently, take initiative, and meet changing priorities 
• Successful experience working in, and contributing to, a collaborative, cross-functional team environment 

Desired Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience 
• Familiarity with Tessitura or other donor management platforms 
• Endowment fundraising experience 
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, systems thinking, or enterprise fundraising strategy in a complex organizational environment 
• Interest in classical music, education, or the nonprofit arts sector 

Additional Information:  

• This is a salaried, non-union position 
• Successful candidates must be available to work a varying schedule, including nights and weekends, to meet the needs of funding partners and prospects 
• All positions at the DSO require the successful completion of a background check prior to beginning employment. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify candidates. 

Physical Requirements: This role primarily works in an office environment and frequently has prolonged periods of sitting and looking at a computer screen. 
 
Primary Reporting Responsibility: Senior Director of Advancement   

Direct Reports: Manager of Institutional Giving  

 If an accommodation is needed to ensure your successful participation in the  
application or interview process, please reach out to hr@dso.org for assistance.