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Careers

The Oregon Symphony looks to employ talented, driven, and forward-thinking people to help bring the power of music to hundreds of thousands in and around the Portland community. We welcome anyone with these assets and passions to consider joining our dedicated and innovative team.

Auditions

The Oregon Symphony is not conducting any auditions at this time.

Administrative Employment Opportunities

SUMMARY: The Assistant Director of Development is responsible for developing the donor pipeline by managing a portfolio valued at approximately $300K annually and comprised of 215 leadership annual donors and acquisition prospects. The ADOD serves as a primary interface within the community, building strong relationships within their portfolio. The ADOD will focus on soliciting gifts for the Annual Fund with additional asks for special projects (such as gala, opening night, broadcasts, education, concert sponsorships, etc.). Additionally, the ADOD will work to secure planned giving commitments from within their portfolio.

The ADOD will accomplish annual goals through in-person meetings with prospects, phone and email communication, written appeals, and organizational events. The ADOD will additionally be responsible for identification of new prospects, conducting prospect research, portfolio forecasting, maintenance of donor/prospect contact information in the Tessitura database, and stewardship of donors.

Position requires the flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed during concert season (approximately 3-5 nights per month).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manage relationships with Oregon Symphony donors, developing individual strategies for each donor to ensure regular contact with appropriate Symphony representatives.
Cultivate and steward current and potential donors as appropriate to their giving level through opportunities to observe education and outreach programs, rehearsals, chamber music events, Parties of Note, and donor events with goal to identify and engage donors.
Cultivate and steward current and potential Encore Society (planned giving) members. Work to create Encore Society (planned giving) materials for prospects and potential prospects.
Track, manage, and record portfolio activity in Tessitura as well as pull specific exports and reports from the Tessitura database.
Acts as the liaison between Oregon Symphony and outside volunteer organizations such as Friends of the Symphony and Parties of Note to monitor, coordinate, collaborate and communicate successfully.
Assists with Board of Trustees Development Committee meetings by adding prospects that the board could help to cultivate, solicit, or steward as well as assisting in other committee meetings.
Manage special projects, such as writing and preparing proposals, and relationships when appropriate or as needed by the development department.
Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required to perform this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Bachelor's degree plus 1+ years’ experience in Development, specifically with solicitation; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Evidence of ability to achieve goals.
Strong organizational skills; self-starter; ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously; ability to effectively manage and grow relationships.
Strong communication skills, both interpersonal and written; customer service focus; ability to interact effectively and empathetically, and build rapport, with people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
Experience with tracking work in a donor database. Working knowledge of Excel and other programs in the Microsoft Office suite. Experience with Tessitura a plus.
Quantitative and logic skills; ability to budget and forecast with accuracy. Positive, imaginative, and pragmatic approach to problem-solving.
Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed during concert season (approximately 3-5 nights per month).
Sense of humor required. Passion for live symphonic music a plus.

COMPETENCIES: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies.

Ethics - Treats everyone with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values; Maintains confidentiality.
Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service.
Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures.
Problem-Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem-solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
Communication – Speaks and writes informatively, clearly and persuasively; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
Change Management and Adaptability - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results; Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
Business Acumen and Fiscal Management - Understands business implications of decisions; Displays orientation to profitability; Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals; Works within approved budget; Contributes to profits and revenue; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.
Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values; observes safety and security procedures; Respects diversity.
Strategic Thinking and Innovation - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions; Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
Quality and Quantity - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality; Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly.
Dependability - Is consistently at work and on time; Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan; Plans in advance for time off.
Motivation and Initiative – Requires minimal supervision; Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals; Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 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 position, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing 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 position, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts such as printers. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

To perform the duties of this position, the employee is required to have reliable transportation to meet with donors and attend events. This position is currently being performed in a hybrid remote/in person model and requires access to high-speed internet from remote location(s). As health guidelines change, it may revert to a full-time in-office position.

Download Position Description as PDF

SUMMARY:

Serves as a front-line representative for the Oregon Symphony.

Engages directly with the public to generate revenue through outbound sales and fundraising campaigns.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Other duties may be assigned.

1. Oregon Symphony (OSA) concert subscriptions, tickets sales, and memberships by phone from marketing leads furnished by the OSA. Shifts are divided between remote and office workspace and based on the Teleservices Manager’s discretion. In-person concert hall shifts will be required. The symphony will provide phones, a computer, and resources to ensure a safe hybrid workspace, based on health and safety guidelines. When working remotely, it is the responsibility of the Patron Service Representative to provide internet access.
2. Develop and be able to utilize a detailed working knowledge of concert event information, program content, target audience profiles, membership benefits, and donor events.
3. Develop and be able to utilize a working knowledge of seating sections and pricing at Symphony venues.
4. Develop competency in Tessitura database software to process orders, receive donations and review constituent. data
5. Participate in sales campaigns as directed by the OSA Teleservices Manager and Marketing Department.
6. Generate a minimum of 15 sales calls per hour from leads furnished by the OSA for each hour of the assigned shift.
7. Create an organized call-backs system utilizing Microsoft Office Suite to ensure the best and most efficient sales strategy.
8. Promptly follow up on all leads furnished.
9. Function as a supportive member of the Patron Services Department, providing assistance to other Patron Service Representative, and in the training of new staff members.
10. Attend daily Teleservices Team Meetings.
11. Accurately complete all necessary records and paperwork on time.
12. Maintain strict confidentiality regarding all information and leads provided by the OSA as proprietary to the OSA.
13. Represent the OSA with integrity. Handle all business related to the OSA, its employees, and its patrons, with a courteous, professional demeanor. Work in an efficient and confidential manner.
14. Teleservices PSRs are also required to assist in Ticket Office Operations, including, but not limited to:
- - Being available to work a minimum of 2 concerts or ticket office shifts per month.
  - Assisting the ticket office during peak sales times, as assigned and when available within the weekly 29.75-hour maximum.
  - Spend a portion of each shift handling inbound calls from the Ticket Office queue from 6–9 pm and at other times as directed by the Box Office Manager or the Teleservices Manager.

REQUIRED HOURS / WORK SCHEDULE: The call-center is open from 12–9 pm, Monday through Friday. Teleservices PSRs must regularly work the prime calling hours of 5–9 pm, Monday through Thursday, to be of maximum effectiveness. Additionally, PSRs are expected to work some Friday shifts as directed by Teleservices Manager. Friday shifts begin no later than 6 pm and continue until 9 pm.

PSRs must work at least four days per week, working a minimum of 20 hours and a maximum of 29.75 hours per week. Ticket-office and concert shifts do not count towards these minimums. Additional hours, up to 40 per week, maybe allocated at peak times during the Season, but only with prior approval of the Vice-President of Marketing.

Scheduling is flexible, but all changes require prior approval by the Teleservices Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience: HS diploma and 1-2 years of sales experience preferred.
Language Skills: Ability to quickly learn to pronounce foreign names of composers, compositions and artists.
Mathematical Skills: Ability to accurately add, subtract, multiply, and calculate discount percentages.
Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
Computer Skills: Ability to quickly learn and use Tessitura database/ticketing software, working proficiency in Microsoft Outlook. Training in Tessitura is provided and two weeks’ proficiency period is given.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: N/A

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS: Availability to work the required schedule and hours; ability to offer excellent customer service and can demonstrate superb sales skills; exceptional communication and good organizational skills; dependability.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Appreciation for live symphonic music a plus.

COMPETENCIES: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies.

Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
Technical Skills – Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.
Customer Service – Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; solicits customer feedback to improve service; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments.
Interpersonal Skills – Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; exhibits confidence in self and others.
Communication – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions.
Teamwork – Gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
Ethics – Inspires respect and trust and treats everyone with respect; works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values.
Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values; promotes a harassment-free environment; observes safety and security procedures; Uses equipment and materials properly.
Judgment – Exhibits sound and accurate judgment.
Motivation – Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; measures self against standard of excellence.
Planning/Organizing – Uses time efficiently.
Professionalism – Reacts well under pressure; Accepts responsibility for own actions.
Quality and Quantity – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; meets productivity standards; Completes work in a timely manner; Strives to increase productivity.
Adaptability – Adapts to changes in the work environment.
Dependability – Is consistently at work and on time; follows instructions, responds to management direction.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus in order to use a computer monitor. When assigned to concert duty, the employee is occasionally required to stand and walk and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts such as computer printers. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

To apply please submit a cover letter and resume to careers@orsymphony.org. No phone inquiries, please. Position is open until filled.

Position is open until filled.

Download Position Description as PDF

The Oregon Symphony is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all facets of the organization. We seek to develop a diverse candidate pool and welcome nominations and applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or national origin.

If you are interested in applying to a posted administrative job opening, please submit a cover letter and resume to careers@orsymphony.org. No phone inquiries, please. All submissions will be held in confidence.