Director of Development

Triangle Youth Music (TYM) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of young musicians in the Triangle area of North Carolina. Since its founding in 1988, TYM has grown into a multi-level youth music education organization currently sponsoring five orchestras, four jazz ensembles, two chamber groups, an after-school violin program, and several summer camps that together serve over 600 students through year-round programming. Our organization seeks to provide both beginning ensemble training in supportive non-competitive environments, as well as top-level groups that inspire serious young musicians selected through a rigorous audition process.

The Director of Development is a key leadership role responsible for designing, implementing, and managing fundraising strategies to ensure Triangle Youth Music’s financial sustainability and growth. The ideal candidate will bring creativity, energy, and strategic vision to engage donors, sponsors, and the community while aligning with TYM’s mission and goals.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising plan, including major gifts, corporate sponsorships, annual giving, grants, special events, and planned giving.
• Set measurable goals and track progress to ensure revenue targets are met or exceeded.

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with individual donors, corporate sponsors, and foundation representatives.
• Design and implement donor stewardship plans to ensure meaningful engagement and appreciation.
• Lead efforts to identify and secure new funding sources.

• Research, write, and manage grant proposals to private foundations, government agencies, and other funding sources.
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements and reporting deadlines.

• Plan and oversee fundraising events, including benefit concerts and donor appreciation events.
• Collaborate with staff and volunteers to ensure events are executed successfully and meet fundraising goals.

• Work closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, Advancement Committee, and other team members to align development efforts with organizational priorities.
• Serve as a key spokesperson and ambassador for TYM within the community.
• Train and support board members and volunteers in fundraising initiatives.

• Oversee the creation of compelling development materials, including donor appeals, sponsorship packets, and campaign collateral.
• Collaborate with marketing staff to ensure consistent messaging across all platforms, including social media, newsletters, and the website.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in nonprofit fundraising, development, or a related role preferred.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals, including securing major gifts and sponsorships.

• Strong relationship-building skills with a focus on donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling narratives for fundraising purposes.
• Proficiency in donor management systems and fundraising analytics.
• Experience planning and executing successful events.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

• Passion for youth music education and a commitment to TYM’s mission.
• A creative, strategic thinker with strong problem-solving skills.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and results-driven.
• Integrity in relationships with donors, prospective donors, students, and colleagues.
• Willingness to attend evening and weekend events as needed.

This is a full-time, salaried position with health benefits, including paid time off and holidays. The position is 90% remote and 10% in-person in the North Carolina Triangle area, with travel required as needed. Pay commensurate with experience with a salary range from mid $70,000s to low $80,000s. Performance of the job is evaluated annually. Background clearance and reference checks required.  Triangle Youth Music is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. 

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to Sarah Whitney (sarahwhitney@triangleyouthmusic.org) with the subject line: Director of Development Application by April 20th.