ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
For twenty years, JAZZ HOUSE KiDS has been an instrument for change, transforming lives using the power and the uniquely American art form of jazz, through world-class education and performances that create avenues of access, learning, career development and community building. We use jazz and the joy of music, advanced by master practitioners, as a gateway to student achievement.
The JAZZ HOUSE and students have received more than 135 awards and honors for excellence in jazz and jazz education. Our award-winning organization has documented outcomes including boosted social and emotional learning, improved academic outcomes, acquisition of life skills, and increased civic engagement. Alumni are among the most talented young jazz musicians and young professionals in the nation. Every day we keep our promise to build community leaders and develop global citizens through a series of in-school programs in New Jersey and out-of-school programs in Montclair and New York City, the JAZZ HOUSE helps young people gain an artistic edge.
The JAZZ HOUSE produces 150+ free public concerts per year to audiences over 45,000, including the organization’s far-reaching cultural signature program, the award-winning MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL, the largest free jazz festival in the NYC area, attracting more than 25,000+ attendees to downtown Montclair each year. Last year, fans enjoyed 45 musical acts performed by 200+ performers. This multi day event also included 150+ food and artisan vendors and is cited as a significant economic engine for the small businesses in and around Montclair.
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Chief Development & Partnerships Officer will serve as a chief fundraiser for JAZZ HOUSE KiDS and the MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL, which is produced annually by the JAZZ HOUSE; as such, they must have the ability to contribute to and activate a long-term fundraising vision and strategy along with overseeing the tactics to meet the identified benchmarks and goals. The successful candidate will oversee a four person development team implementing year-round fundraising initiatives totalling $3M in contributed income, including coordinating its corporate sponsorships, individual donor programs, and foundation and government grants. The Chief Development & Partnerships Officer will maintain a collaborative relationship with the founder and president, leveraging her history and reputation and setting her up for success with signature donors and sponsors. They will also work directly with the chair of the board and other board members and advisors, keeping them engaged and enabling their fundraising as well. The Chief Development & Partnerships Officer will be ultimately accountable for the day-to-day operations of the development department, managing the team to achieve organizational goals. As the head of the department, the Chief Development & Partnerships Officer must exemplify JAZZ HOUSE KiDS’ collaborative, forward-thinking, and inclusive culture, maintaining open lines of communication and inspiring excellence in those around them.
This is a unique opportunity to direct your energy and talents toward making a substantial impact on the lives of children and building diverse communities. The successful candidate will have the satisfaction of guiding a highly visible and nationally recognized organization through its next phase of development and play a leading role in securing contributed income and championing JAZZ HOUSE KiDS and its programs, building mission awareness, and increasing levels of support and engagement.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Individual Giving
- Increase major gift funding by implementing a comprehensive strategy to identify, qualify, prioritize, and cultivate individual donors who can make gifts of $5K+.
- Expand our Take 5 VIP Club and Friends of the Montclair Jazz Festival to a year-round offering tied to our expanded public performances
- In collaboration with the Founder and President, successfully engage, cultivate, solicit, and steward a major donor portfolio.
- Create annual engagement and moves management plans for key donors, pipeline and prospects (Currently $750k from a base of 1,100 donors).
- Spearhead the bi-annual appeal to engage small grassroots support and matching gifts.
- Establish a planned giving programing at the JAZZ HOUSE
- Track and analyze key metrics including rates of donor retention, reactivation, and attrition.
Institutional Giving
- Spearhead the growth of our significant corporate sponsorships portfolio, totaling approximately $800k in 2022.
- Foster key relationships with corporate sponsors for the Montclair Jazz Festival and other signature events and programs, creating bespoke opportunities for engagement and recognition to ensure all sponsor benefits are fulfilled and sponsors are satisfied and engaged.
- Partner with the Associate Director of Development & Corporate Specialist to create compelling major event sponsorship activations and benefits, levels, and exclusive opportunities.
- Develop and deploy a strategy for membership programs, in addition to elevating the existing approach to corporate sponsorships.
- Work directly with our experienced grant writer to conceptualize and draft compelling proposals for institutional funders including complex proposals that require working closely with the Founder & President, program staff, finance staff, and, at times, artists and teaching artists.
Campaigns & Events
- Drive fundraising for the organization’s two signature events: MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL and The Ralph Pucci Annual Jazz Set
- Expand the membership program around the year-long MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL offering.
- Collaborate with marketing/program staff to develop compelling marketing collateral, including a corporate sponsor deck and event outreach materials.
- Identify and activate new opportunities to leverage JAZZ HOUSE events and programming for fundraising and relationship-building purposes.
- Support the ongoing five-year $5M capital campaign in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the JAZZ HOUSE.
Organizational Leadership
- Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, advising the Founder & President and Board of Directors on fundraising goals, strategies, and progress.
- Manage and develop a team of development professionals whose job duties and key performance indicators align with the fundraising plan; create a positive, supportive, and dynamic atmosphere that motivates and retains team members.
- Actively participate in the Board’s Fundraising Committee, Nominations Committee, and Advisory Committee.
- Represent the organization externally in forging new donor partnerships and building the JAZZ HOUSE’s brand reputation and network of support.
- Craft a fundraising plan with strategies, tactics, and measurable benchmarks for growing contributed income as an overall percentage of the budget.
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:
- Proven commitment to the organization’s mission and values of promoting jazz, building community and social infrastructure, supporting youth education and empowerment, and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. A background in the arts is a huge plus!
- 7-10+ years of experience as a professional fundraiser, preferably for art or music organizations with a $3M budget or greater.
- Proven experience building donor pipelines, executing cultivation strategies, and growing donor commitments over time, including securing major gifts of $5K and above.
- Experience effectively managing and motivating direct reports.
- Ability to collaborate across departments as a team player and to engage, activate, and support development staff, the board, and other key volunteers as ambassadors, connectors, and cultivators.
- Ability to effectively analyze and use data and measurable benchmarks in making timely decisions and informing the overall fundraising strategy and direction.
- Ability to move, learn, think quickly, and work well independently on several projects concurrently with a sense of urgency; ability to maintain poise, discretion, and professionalism under pressure.
- Creative with excellent written and interpersonal oral communication skills. Proven project management skills, including a commitment to careful planning, ongoing organization, and problem-solving with outstanding attention to detail.
- Experience working with people from different backgrounds and cultures.
- Willingness to work beyond standard business office hours on occasion, understanding that most live performance events occur on weekends or evenings.
- Strong technical skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; comfortable working in Bloomerang, or similar CRM.
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree a plus.
Location:
JAZZ HOUSE KiDS is based in Montclair, NJ with a lower Manhattan location as well. While the team works together predominantly in person, some flexibility can be offered on a case by case basis. Additionally, the Chief Development & Partnerships Officer must be willing to work at special events outside business hours.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
The salary range for this position is $150,000 to $175,000 annually. This is the good faith range at the time of posting. Incoming salaries are determined based on experience and internal equity.
JAZZ HOUSE KiDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Please let us know if you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability.
Like JAZZ HOUSE KiDS, On-Ramps is deeply committed to equity. We believe social change happens when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with a common purpose. We’re partnering with the team at JAZZ HOUSE KiDS to build a diverse team that empowers youth and transforms lives through jazz. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
On-Ramps is committed to the inclusion of all qualified individuals in the hiring process, including but not limited to those with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in the application or interview process, please contact info@on-ramps.com.
