Annual Fund Manager

The Annual Fund Manager is a key member of Pittsburgh Opera’s Individual Giving team, responsible for managing all aspects of the annual giving program (gifts under $10,000) and coordinating multi-channel fundraising campaigns. This role drives donor engagement, renewals, reactivation, and acquisition through creative strategy, data-informed decision-making, and seamless execution across print, digital, and on-site channels. The position also supports donor benefit fulfillment and plays a vital role in community engagement, serving as staff liaison for key donor affinity groups to deepen connections between supporters and the art form.

Principal (Essential) Duties

1. Annual Fund Management

• Act as project manager for Pittsburgh Opera’s annual fund and membership programs (gifts up to $9,999), from planning through execution and evaluation, ensuring smooth coordination between Development, Marketing, and Artistic teams.
• Develop and execute strategy for Annual Fund acquisition and stewardship communications —including digital warming, email updates, upgrade offers, impact content, and recognition.
• Craft compelling fundraising and stewardship messaging consistent with institutional voice and goals.
• Lead special fundraising initiatives such as Noteworthy monthly giving, Giving Tuesday, and mini-sponsorships.
• Develop and execute a unified calendar of direct mail, email, digital, and on-site campaigns—including year-end, Giving Tuesday, and special appeals.
• Work with the Senior Manager of Individual Giving to identify when annual fund donors are ready to move into a gift officer portfolio for upgrade.
• Collaborate with Marketing to produce annual fund materials and ensure cohesive creative across all platforms.
• Advise the Donor Relations Associate on accurate gift processing, renewals, program book acknowledgements and acknowledgments.

2. Data, Systems and Reporting

• Leverage donor data in Tessitura to support appeals, campaigns, and stewardship.
• Translate reporting insights into actionable strategies to drive giving, acquisition, retention, and campaign results.
• Work with Senior Manager of Individual Giving to budget, forecast, and goal-set for annual fund giving.
• Identify and implement data-driven workflow improvements to boost efficiency, data integrity, donor experience, and team coordination.

3. Community Engagement

• Activate the New Guard, New Guard Executive Council, and Friends of Pittsburgh Opera as staff liaison; coordinate and attend all meetings and events.
• Advise the Donor Relations Associate on Friends of Pittsburgh Opera event invitations.
• Represent Pittsburgh Opera at cultural events and engage with patrons.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Posess a positive, donor-centric approach to interfacing with donors and event volunteers
• Superior written and verbal communication skills, as well as organizational and time management skills
• Exceptional attention to detail skills and understanding of how details effect, and are a part of, donor cultivation strategies and organizational goals and processes
• Proficiency in donor/customer relationship management software, such as Tessitura (preferred) or Raiser’s Edge and Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint)
• Professional and resourceful. Posess the ability to take initiative, and to manage multiple tasks independently and to thrive in an open, fast-paced office environment
• Familiarity with and appreciation of opera/classical music; high energy and passion for Pittsburgh Opera’s mission
• Knowledge of the opera industry, including an understanding of production costs and artistic funding needs

Experience/ Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field
• Proven experience in fundraising within the arts, particularly in opera or classical music
• Strong collaborative skills with experience self-motivating and working independently
• Demonstrated success in soliciting and securing four-figure gifts
• Candidates must be available to work nights and weekends.

Salary Range: $55,000-$59,000

To Apply: Please contact Kristin Gatch with a cover letter and resume at kgatch@pittsburghopera.org.

Pay: $55,000.00 - $59,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person