Summary
Description
The National Repertory Orchestra announces the opening for the position of Director of Development. Employment to begin as early as October 5, 2026. Application deadline is Friday, August 7, 2026.
The National Repertory Orchestra (NRO) is a nationally recognized summer music festival that prepares the next generation of orchestral musicians. Supporting the NRO’s mission requires year-round philanthropic leadership. The Director of Development is a full-time, year-round position responsible for leading all aspects of fundraising, including major gifts, annual giving, grants, planned giving, and donor stewardship to ensure the financial strength and long-term sustainability of the organization. The Director of Development will work closely with staff on programming and special events and will work closely with the CEO and Board of Trustees in all development and fundraising endeavors.
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Development will work collaboratively with senior leadership to develop and implement contributed income strategies. This position will spearhead all development efforts as the NRO continues to grow and will be responsible for implementing the information technology systems to support the function. This position will work closely with all staff to efficiently and effectively set goals and build projects around our core mission – Changing Lives Through Music.
Applicants must currently reside in or be willing to relocate to Summit County, Colorado; remote candidates will not be considered for this position.
The National Repertory Orchestra budget is approximately $2,000,000 with $1,300,000 of contributed income.
key responsibilities
Strategic Development & Fundraising Leadership
- Responsible for meeting all contributed, sponsorship, grant and governmental agency revenue goals as determined in conjunction with the CEO and Board of Trustees to support the NRO’s current and future financial needs.
- Plan and oversee annual giving campaign strategy, budget, and implementation.
- Develop annual development goals for the NRO including a master calendar that outlines all fundraising campaigns, events and reporting deadlines.
- Review and strengthen planned giving and endowment programs to encourage legacy philanthropy, utilizing pro bono counsel as appropriate.
- Provide strategic guidance to senior leadership and Board of Trustees on all fundraising activities.
- Oversee the effective use of DonorPerfect CRM to support donor management, fundraising analytics, campaign tracking, and stewardship initiatives while ensuring the integrity of constituent data.
Donor, Foundation & Corporate Relations
- Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors to meet or exceed annual contributed revenue goals.
- Build and maintain an active portfolio of donors and prospects with capacity to make significant gifts.
- Lead all phases of the gift cycle for major donors, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and long-term relationship management.
- Partner with senior leadership and the Board to solicit corporate and individual sponsorships and ensure that all such sponsors are appropriately recognized and positive relationships are maintained.
- Using the Board of Trustees as a resource, continually identify and cultivate new individual, corporate, and foundation funding opportunities.
- Identify grant opportunities; write grant proposals to government, corporation, and foundation sources for education programs, concerts, special projects, and general operating support; and file all necessary reports for grants.
- Maintain strong relationships with public funding agencies such as local and state arts councils, NEA, and other governmental funding institutions.
- Utilize Windfall wealth screening software to identify high-capacity donors, strengthen the major gift pipeline, and inform strategic cultivation and fundraising efforts.
Events
- Plan and coordinate donor cultivation events, receptions, and concert hospitality opportunities to strengthen donor engagement and stewardship.
- Work closely with the CEO to accurately determine the financial goals of special events and oversee the financial success of these activities.
- Attend all concerts and special events to act as liaison to the public and participate in patron hospitality as requested.
Community Engagement
- Develop and maintain relationships with business leaders, community partners, and arts organizations to strengthen the NRO’s visibility and reputation.
- Foster greater public awareness and community support for the NRO through outreach and relationship-building.
- Represent the NRO at civic, cultural, and community events, including public speaking engagements as requested.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of progressively responsible fundraising or development leadership experience in the nonprofit or arts sector.
- A commitment to the NRO’s mission of Changing Lives Through Music and an enthusiasm for the performing arts, preferably classical music.
- Demonstrated success securing major gifts, grants, corporate sponsorships, and annual giving support, with a proven record of achieving contributed revenue goals, including raising $1 million or more annually.
- Experience developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies, including annual campaigns, major gifts, planned giving, endowment fundraising, corporate partnerships, grant writing, and special initiatives.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to persuasively communicate the NRO’s mission and inspire philanthropic support.
- Proven ability to build meaningful relationships with donors, Board members, staff, musicians, community leaders, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
- Strong organizational and project management skills with meticulous attention to detail, follow-through, and record keeping.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, think strategically, and thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment with a small, mission-driven team with limited resources.
- Experience using donor CRM systems (preferably DonorPerfect) and prospect research tools to manage donor relationships, analyze fundraising performance, and identify new giving opportunities.
- Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and the highest ethical standards in fundraising and donor stewardship.
- Flexible, adaptable, self-motivated, and energized by building relationships and advancing organizational impact.
Benefits
- Salary: Commensurate with experience and performance; approximately $85,000-$105,000/year.
- Bonus: Year-end merit-based bonus structure.
- Health Insurance: 100% paid premium for single coverage; 70% paid premium for employee with family members and dependents (employee covers 30%).
- Retirement: Up to 3% match Simple IRA contribution.
- PTO: Unlimited PTO after first year.
- Breckenridge North parking pass provided.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and references to info@nromusic.org with the subject line “Director of Development Application – [Your Name].”
