Data & Research Specialist

DATA & RESEARCH SPECIALIST JOB DESCRIPTION 

Department: Advancement  

FLSA Status: Exempt  

Work Location: Hybrid  

FT/PT: Full time  

Last Revision Date: July 30, 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 Data & Research Specialist provides necessary support for the Advancement team to achieve the organization’s annual contributed revenue goals. Serving as the Tessitura power user for the team and primary liaison across several departments, the Data & Research specialist helps the team understand their progress to fundraising goals through managing contributed revenue reporting and data hygiene. The Data & Research Specialist directly assists the team in achieving fundraising goals through supporting solicitation strategies and managing prospect research.  

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:  

• Lead Advancement Team in understanding progress to annual goals through managing contributed revenue reporting, updated weekly 

• Help frontline team establish plans to manage their portfolios at the beginning of each fiscal year, providing ongoing maintenance 

• Maintain accurate pledge fulfillment information, supporting the Donor Communications Specialist in monthly pledge reminder process 

• Help the organization understand cashflow through serving as primary liaison between Advancement and Finance Departments, reporting out expected contribution and pledge fulfillment dates 

• Support Advancement Team in direct and indirect fundraising goals by generating mailing lists for solicitations, invitations, and other stewardship efforts. Collaborate with Advancement Staff to develop successful segmentation strategies for multi-channel solicitations 

• Working with the Associate Director of Annual Giving and external partners, support the DSO’s telefunding campaign through list generation and gift entry corrections 

• As the Advancement Team’s Tessitura power user, serve as primary liaison to Advancement and I.T. departments, leading resolution of software issues, and improving department efficiency through new Tessitura projects, identified by the team and the Data & Research Specialist 

• Support data hygiene efforts across the organization, communicating gift entry amendments to Finance, updating donor records, and assisting with account merges 

• Serving as primary user of donor prospect research tools, manage donor pipeline development through generation to improve mass solicitation strategies  

• Generate donor profiles for organization leadership upon request 

• Provide support for all other reporting requests as needed including those for special funding, endowment, special events, solicitations and moves management 

• Act as staff liaison at DSO events and the Donor Lounge approximately 2-3 times per month  

• Other duties as assigned 

Required Qualifications:  

• 1-2 years' experience in data reporting, gift entry, or another data-related field in a non-profit environment 
• Demonstrated ability in learning new database systems 
• Experience using CRM databases, for data analysis, data entry, and data extraction 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel 
• Ability to act independently, take initiative, and meet changing priorities 
• Proven experience working in, and contributing to, a collaborative team environment 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with staff and patrons    
• Ability to focus intently on the task at hand with the utmost attention to detail and an intense commitment to accuracy     
• Excellent time management and organizational skills and an ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment   
• Ability to treat confidential and private information with discretion   
   

Desired Qualifications:  

• Experience using Tessitura    
• Knowledge of financial reporting, specifically related to nonprofit organizations 
• Experience working in a performing arts organization 

Not sure you meet 100% of the qualifications? If this role speaks to you and you believe that you can excel, we encourage you to apply. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra is committed to considering candidates with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds who are interested in building and delivering impactful services and programs.  

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 the DSO’s performance schedule 
• 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. Additional physical requirements include:  
 

Position Reports to: Associate Director of Annual Giving 

Direct Reports:  N/A  

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.