Annual Fund Manager

Company: Pittsburgh Opera

Company Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Job Location: On Site/In Person

Job Type: Full Time

Date Posted: November 10, 2025

Network(s): Development

DESCRIPTION

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

·         Serve 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 a unified calendar of direct mail, email, digital, and on-site campaigns—including year-end, Giving Tuesday, and special appeals.

·         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.

·         Collaborate with the Senior Manager of Individual Giving to identify when annual fund donors are ready to move into a gift officer portfolio for upgrade.

·         Partner with Marketing to produce annual fund materials and ensure cohesive creative across all platforms.

·         Coordinate with the Donor Relations Associate on accurate gift processing, renewals, and acknowledgments.

·         Deliver donor benefits and related stewardship communications—including digital email updates, impact content, and recognition—ensuring timely, meaningful engagement and accurate acknowledgment in listings and program books.

2.       Data, Systems and Reporting

·         Maintain accurate donor data and segmented lists in Tessitura to support appeals, campaigns, and stewardship.

·         Produce and analyze reports on giving, retention, and campaign results to guide strategy, forecasting, and goal-setting.

·         Track and reconcile annual fund revenue; assist with budgeting and goal-setting alongside the Senior Manager of Individual Giving.

·         Implement data-driven workflow improvements to boost efficiency, data integrity, donor experience, and team coordination.

3.       Community Engagement

·         Serve as staff liaison for the New Guard and the New Guard Executive Council; coordinate and attend all meetings and events.

·         Serve as staff liaison for the Friends of Pittsburgh Opera; coordinate and attend all board meetings.

·         Work with the Donor Relations Associate to create and distribute all Friends of Pittsburgh Opera event invitations (excluding the fashion show).

·         Represent the opera company at cultural events, engage with patrons, and develop partnerships within the opera and arts communities.

Secondary Duties

• Support development events and organizational initiatives as needed.

• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1.       Possess a positive, donor-centric approach to interfacing with donors and event volunteers

2.       Superior written and verbal communication skills, as well as organizational and time management skills

3.       Exceptional attention to detail skills and understanding of how details effect, and are a part of, donor cultivation strategies and organizational goals and processes

4.       Proficiency in donor/customer relationship management software, such as Tessitura (preferred) or Raiser’s Edge and Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint)

5.       Professional and resourceful. Possess the ability to take initiative, and to manage multiple tasks independently and to thrive in an open, fast-paced office environment

6.       Familiarity with and appreciation of opera/classical music; high energy and passion for Pittsburgh Opera’s mission

7.       Knowledge of the opera industry, including an understanding of production costs and artistic funding needs

Experience/Education Requirements

1.       Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

2.       Proven experience in fundraising within the arts, particularly in opera or classical music

3.       Strong collaborative skills with experience self-motivating and working independently

4.       Demonstrated success in soliciting and securing four-figure gifts

5.       Candidates must be available to work nights and weekends.

This is not an all-inclusive document. Additional duties, expectations, demands, etc. may be added or changed to this document on an as-needed basis in order to meet organizational needs. The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

BENEFITS

Pay Range: $55,000 - $59,000 Annual

HOW TO APPLY