Director, Development at Grammy

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

The Director, Development will lead the strategy and execution of MusiCares’ major gift programs. You will focus on MusiCares’ efforts to grow, steward, and sustain high-level philanthropic support from individual donors, with a focus on gifts of $25,000 and above. You will be responsible for cultivating and managing a portfolio of high-net-worth donors and prospects, developing tailored engagement strategies, and closing major and planned gifts to support MusiCares’ programs and initiatives. You bring deep experience in major gifts fundraising, exceptional relationship-building skills, and a strong appreciation for MusiCares’ mission.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Portfolio Development & Fundraising Execution

• Manage and grow a portfolio of major donors and prospects nationwide.
• Develop customized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for each donor.
• Personally solicit major gifts ranging from $25,000 to $1,000,000 multi-year commitments.
• Work closely with the Sr. Managing Director of Development to engage in high-level donor meetings and strategy sessions.

Relationship Management & Stewardship

• Build deep, authentic relationships with donors that align their philanthropic goals with MusiCares’ priorities.
• Ensure personalized follow-up, reporting, and recognition for all major donors.
• Coordinate meaningful donor engagement and stewardship experiences, delivered both in-person and online.

Strategy & Management

• Design and implement strategies to broaden the donor base by engaging high-net-worth individuals and industries beyond the music sector.
• Identify and qualify new major gift prospects through research, networking, and leveraging existing relationships.
• Develop compelling proposals, pitches for support, and donor communications.
• Manage one team member, providing mentorship, feedback and guidance for the Development Manager overseeing annual giving.

Tracking & Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of donor interactions and pipeline activity in the Salesforce CRM.
• Regularly track, analyze, and report progress toward fundraising goals.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree required. CFRE certification a plus.
• 7 to 10 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising with multiple years focused on major gifts.
• A proven track record of closing gifts at the $25,000+ level with both six-and seven-figure successes.
• Salesforce experience preferred.
• A strong network and ability to connect with high-net-worth individuals.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to convey passion and urgency.
• A strategic thinker who is goal orientated.
• Exceptional relationship management and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to take a collaborative and team-oriented approach.
• A high level of discretion and confidentiality.
• Availability to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS FOR CERTAIN ROLES

The physical demands described here 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and sit for long periods of time, and work at a computer for long periods of time.

The employee will be required to lift and/or move up to 60 pounds.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The starting salary for this position is $108,900 to $122,000 per year, benchmarked against industry standards. Salaries for positions required to be in specific geographic locations reflect the corresponding labor market. 
 
The actual offer extended will depend on the candidate's experience, qualifications, and the role's requirements and will include our comprehensive benefits package (with medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401k match, generous paid time off, and more). Click here for an overview of our company benefits.

Explore our career opportunities to join a team that values creativity, innovation, and diversity. 

ABOUT THE RECORDING ACADEMY AND ITS AFFILIATES

RECORDING ACADEMY

The Recording Academy represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals. Dedicated to ensuring the recording arts remain a thriving part of our shared cultural heritage, the Academy honors music's history while investing in its future through the GRAMMY Museum, advocates on behalf of music creators, supports music people in times of need through MusiCares, and celebrates artistic excellence through the GRAMMY Awards—music's only peer-recognized accolade and highest achievement. As the world's leading society of music professionals, we work year-round to foster a more inspiring world for creators.

LATIN RECORDING ACADEMY

The Latin Recording Academy is an international, membership-based organization comprised of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking recording artists, musicians, songwriters, producers and other creative and technical recording professionals. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for Latin music and its makers. In addition to producing the Latin GRAMMY Awards to honor excellence in the recorded arts and sciences, The Latin Recording Academy provides educational and outreach programs for the Latin music community either directly or through its Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation.

LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation is a charitable organization established by the Latin Recording Academy in 2014. The organization is dedicated to creating opportunities for the next generation of Latin music creators through scholarships, educational programs, grants, and access to creators and industry executives.

MUSICARES

A friend and ally of the music community, MusiCares was established by the Recording Academy to safeguard the health and well-being of all music people. A four-star charity and safety net in times of need, MusiCares offers confidential preventative, recovery, and emergency programs to address financial, medical, and personal health issues. Through the generosity of our donors and volunteer professionals, our dedicated team works across the country to ensure the music community has the resources and support it needs.

GRAMMY MUSEUM

The GRAMMY Museum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating and exploring music from yesterday and today to inspire the music of tomorrow through music preservation, education, exhibitions, and public programming and aims to create a world in which shared love of music sparks curiosity, creativity, and community. Programs include GRAMMY in the Schools education programs that are offered year-round for students, teachers, and schools throughout the United States.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

The Recording Academy, its affiliates, and the music industry have a strong culture of inclusion and respect for everyone. The Recording Academy makes intentional, courageous, and principled decisions for stronger business outcomes and ensures that all creators and professionals live and work in a fair and safe environment. It is the Recording Academy's policy to provide equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. The Recording Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race (nor traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion (including religious dress and grooming), creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, family care status, military or veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. The Recording Academy will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship to the Recording Academy. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, promotion, discipline, termination, access to benefits and training, recruitment, hiring, transfer, and social and recreational programs.