Reports to: President & CEO

Supervises: Advancement and Patron Services Associate

 Position Summary

The Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra seeks a full-time Director of Development to join our team. A key organizational leader, the Director of Development is responsible for maximizing the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra’s contributed income by driving all fundraising activities, including individual and foundation giving. The Director of Development is pivotal in representing the organization to donors, sponsors, and the public through cultivation and stewardship activities, while assuring alignment with the HSO vision, mission, and strategic plan.

 The ideal candidate will have demonstrated, progressively successful fundraising experience, a passion for symphonic music, thrive in a collaborative environment, be exceptionally organized and focused, and exhibit outstanding interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

 Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive plans to reach the HSO’s contributed revenue goals; with the President & CEO, set revenue and expense targets for fundraising activities; establish and prudently manage development budget; track, analyze and evaluate effectiveness of all fundraising programs and campaigns.

• Secure new and upgrade existing donor commitments to the annual fund, including multi-year and planned gifts.

• Oversee annual development plan and donor recognition program; provide leadership and strategic oversight of the various giving programs for the HSO, including annual fund, memorial and tribute gifts, major gifts, planned gifts, corporate sponsorships, and in-kind giving.

• Engage with high-level symphony volunteers, including board of directors members, on their individual giving and their fundraising portfolios; serve as liaison to development committee.

• Establish and grow relationships with existing and potential HSO sponsors and donors; deploy strategies to increase donor engagement and participation.

• Oversee reporting, donor database and records management.

• Plan donor events and receptions; attend HSO events/activities.

• Other duties as required.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s or master’s degree, or equivalent experience, with a minimum of three years of demonstrated, progressively responsible, front-line fundraising performance in experience in a successful Development office. Strong people and process management skills, critical thinking, and attention to detail required. Impeccable oral/written communication ability, in addition to keen listening skills. Thorough knowledge of development functions, including donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

 Additional qualifications

• Strategic thinking, relationship building skills, collaboration, and attention to detail.

• Ability to communicate effectively and build respectful, trust-based relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

• Highly self-motivated, metrics driven, and goal oriented.

• Strong Microsoft Office and database skills with knowledge of CRM systems.

• Ability to set priorities, multi-task and manage deadlines.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of a team.

• Diplomacy and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.

• Must be willing and able to work all concerts and patron events. The position requires work on some evenings and weekends in addition to regular office hours.

• Love for music and an understanding of the role the Hawaiʽi Symphony plays in the community.

 Salary range and benefits: Full time, exempt, salaried. Salary negotiable, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, paid vacation and holidays, and company contribution to retirement plan.

To apply: Submit resume and a cover letter of introduction outlining your qualifications and interest to Amy Iwano, President & CEO, at aiwano@hawaiisymphonyorchestra.org. Applications will be reviewed as received.

All offers of employment are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check. HSO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All opportunities are provided without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, nationality, veteran status, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, AIDS/HIV, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Led by Music and Artistic Director Dane Lam, Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra (HSO) connects Hawai‘i and the Pacific through visionary live music, serving as the premier provider of symphonic art forms throughout the region. The HSO, which performs at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, features dozens of award-winning musicians who bring a unique Pacific perspective to a diverse repertoire. The HSO reaches 140,000 residents annually in Hawai‘i and the Pacific through its performances, community, and educational programs. The Symphony produces more than 40 performances each season, including the Halekulani Masterworks Series, HapaSymphony Series, Films in Concert, and an annual summer festival.

Department: Operations 

Reports to: Director of Artistic Engagement 

The Operations & Stage Manager is responsible for the day-to-day support of the artistic operations of the organization. The ideal candidate will have experience in the classical music, theatre, or special events sector, work well in a collaborative environment, be exceptionally organized and focused, and exhibit outstanding oral and written communication skills. 

Primary Responsibilities 

1. Concert & Event Production Planning 

• Advance concert and event production, including: Sourcing keyboards, piano rentals, and tunings 

• Renting chairs and determining music stand requirements 

• Reconfirming load-in/load-out schedules with stage crew 

• Purchasing production supplies as needed 

• Produce and distribute advance sheets for concert weeks. 

• Attend staff and production meetings to advance each production. 

• Perform site visits to evaluate venue suitability and production requirements. 

• Responsible for production needs for auditions. 

2. Stage & Technical Operations 

• Supply venues with stage plots. 

• Coordinate call times for IATSE and venue staff for orchestra shell setup, risers, and strikes. 

• Manage the physical setup and strike of the orchestra and stage, including:

  • Chairs 

  • Music stands and stand lights 

  • Music folders 

• Stage temperature 

• Coordination with sound and electrical departments 

• Coordinate stage changes, including: 

  • Piano moves for soloists 

  • Chorus risers 

  • Special layouts for film presentations and other unique productions 

• Open the house and coordinate with IATSE, venue staff, vendors, and HSO staff. 

3. Rehearsal & Performance Management 

• Plan and call rehearsals and performances. 

• Anticipate operational challenges and develop solutions before issues arise. 

• Cue stage entrances and coordinate backstage activity. 

• Improvise effective solutions during rehearsals and performances as needed. 

• Ensure smooth execution of rehearsal and performance schedules. 

4. Musician & Artist Services 

• Work with the Personnel Manager to fulfill musician requests. 

• Work with the Personnel Manager to manage musician parking. 

• Maintain dressing rooms by ensuring they are:

  • Open and clean 

  • Stocked with bottled water and clean towels 

  • Equipped to meet artist requirements 

• Organize transportation for instruments and orchestra members. 

5. Orchestra Equipment & Instrument Management 

• Work with the percussion section to verify required instruments are available and correctly staged. 

• Source percussion and specialty instruments as needed. 

• Coordinate instrument transportation and logistics. 

• Manage production equipment and inventory necessary for performances and events. 

6. Labor Relations & Contract Compliance 

• Ensure adherence to the Collective Bargaining Agreement. 

• Coordinate effectively with union stage crews and venue personnel. 

• Support compliance with production and labor requirements across all services. 

7. Budgeting & Administrative Responsibilities 

• Develop and manage the annual production budget. 

• Prepare cost estimates and production budgets for special events and projects as needed. 

• Track production-related expenditures and resource needs. 

• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Schedule 

• Must be able to work concerts and rehearsals – nights and weekends available to work a full-time schedule with flexible consideration given for concert and rehearsal days during the concert season. 

• Work will be done in person at the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra office and concert venues. 

Qualifications 

• Must be a team player with a positive attitude. A self-starter who can work independently but is also comfortable taking direction. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, and maintain a professional decorum under pressure. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, Google suite, and basic computer tasks. 

• Ability to maintain confidentiality, including sensitivity to all personal and personnel matters. 

• Ability to shift/transport up to 40 lbs; ability to work outdoors. 

• Must have a valid driver's license and be able to drive. 

• Preference is given to candidates with experience with a performing arts organization. Knowledge of and appreciate for classical music a plus. 

• Employment is contingent upon ability to be legally employed in the United States. 

Salary and Benefits 

• $45,000 annually or commensurate with experience 

• Healthcare; paid vacation and holidays; Simple IRA retirement plan 

To apply: Submit resume and a cover letter of introduction outlining your qualifications and interest to Michael-Thomas Foumai, Director of Artistic Engagement, at mfoumai@hawaiisymphonyorchestra.org. Applications will be reviewed as received.

All offers of employment are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check. HSO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All opportunities are provided without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, nationality, veteran status, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, AIDS/HIV, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Led by Music and Artistic Director Dane Lam, Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra (HSO) connects Hawai‘i and the Pacific through visionary live music, serving as the premier 4 provider of symphonic art forms throughout the region. Employing 84 professional musicians, the HSO, which performs at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, features dozens of award-winning musicians who bring a unique Pacific perspective to a diverse repertoire. The HSO reaches more than 35,000 residents annually in Hawai‘i and the Pacific through its performances, community, and educational programs and 250,000 through radio concert broadcasts. The Symphony produces more than 40 performances each season, including the Halekulani Masterworks Series, Spotlight Series, Films in Concert, an annual summer festival, and a robust array of education and community programs.