Deputy Director of Development, Individual Giving

About Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL) is renowned for its impactful local presence, national prominence, and global reach, consistently bringing fresh, inventive productions to its diverse audiences. Established in 1976, the organization’s mission is centered around shaping a vibrant future for opera by inspiring and entertaining communities through compelling, accessible performances. By producing operas sung in English and accompanied by the Grammy-winning St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, OTSL has created an approachable and engaging experience that resonates broadly.

Performances are staged at the intimate Loretto-Hilton Center at Webster University, fostering an inviting atmosphere where audiences can mingle in lush gardens before and after shows, making opera-going a communal and pleasurable experience. Since its inception, OTSL has been deeply committed to cultivating new talent, consistently promoting young, emerging singers and supporting living American composers and librettists. As of the 2025 Festival Season, Opera Theatre will have presented 45 world premieres, highlighting its dedication to innovation and the continual expansion of the operatic repertory.

The company’s history began humbly yet boldly. Founded by passionate music enthusiasts eager to enrich St. Louis’s cultural landscape, OTSL launched its first season in May 1976 with a modest budget and a spirit of experimentation. Despite initial uncertainties, the inaugural performances quickly captured public acclaim, swiftly transforming the company into a cultural landmark known for its unique programming and artistic integrity. Early productions of rarely performed operas, such as Mozart’s The Impresario and Britten’s Albert Herring, distinguished OTSL as an ambitious and innovative force in American opera.

Critics soon took notice, enhancing the company’s reputation nationally and internationally. Esteemed publications praised its refreshing approach and high artistic standards, and in 1983, OTSL became the first American opera company invited to the Edinburgh Festival. The company’s commitment to diversity and innovation is exemplified by landmark performances like the 2019 premiere of Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones, which later achieved historic significance by opening the Metropolitan Opera’s 2021 season as the first work by a Black composer featured there.

OTSL has also invested significantly in artist development. Each year, its Young Artist Programs attract over 1,000 applicants, from which fewer than 40 singers are selected, reflecting the program’s exclusivity and prestige. The Emerson Behind the Curtain Program and Larry & Jinny Browning Technical Fellowships further demonstrate the company’s holistic approach to nurturing talent across all aspects of opera production. Many of the artists cultivated by OTSL have advanced to prominent international careers, often returning to perform in the world’s leading opera houses.

Recognized as a vital contributor to cultural tourism, OTSL draws audiences from across the United States and numerous countries, significantly benefiting St. Louis’s economy and cultural vitality. Under consistent, visionary leadership spanning only four general directors over its nearly five-decade history, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis continues to thrive as an innovative, accessible, and artistically vibrant institution shaping the future of opera.

Position Summary
Reporting to the Director of Development & Campaign Strategy, the Deputy Director of Development, Individual Giving is a pivotal member of the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Development team, charged with strategically guiding and significantly expanding individual philanthropy. In this senior role, the Deputy Director will manage and cultivate an essential portfolio of Patron-level donors, thoughtfully developing personalized strategies to deepen donor engagement and enhance financial support. This role is crucial in executing a dynamic annual giving campaign that fuels the company’s innovative artistic programming and ambitious growth objectives. With oversight responsibilities for the Friends of the Festival and Patron giving programs, the Deputy Director ensures seamless coordination with internal teams to produce timely, compelling direct mail and digital fundraising efforts. Further, this position leads strategic planning and implementation for the National Patrons Program and plays a central role in developing targeted donor communications and in integrating volunteer activities to reinforce donor loyalty and community involvement.

This position requires visionary leadership in annual giving strategy, donor stewardship, and revenue forecasting. The Deputy Director will collaborate closely with senior colleagues to ensure a cohesive approach to donor engagement, consistent messaging, and a robust strategy for long-term donor retention and growth.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a strategic portfolio of 75-100 Patron-level individual donors and prospects, creating personalized strategies for qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, and engaging company leadership as appropriate.
• Oversee the annual operating support campaign, specifically the Friends of the Festival and Patron giving programs and collaborate with the Senior Manager of Donor Engagement to execute effective direct mail and digital campaigns.
• Partner with the Manager of Donor Communications to create impactful development collateral, such as solicitation and acknowledgment letters, print materials, and digital media content.
• Work with the Manager of Volunteer Engagement to integrate meaningful volunteer service into Opera Theatre’s mission, fostering appreciation for the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Guild.
• Manage the National Patrons Program and establish annual objectives focused on retention, increased financial contributions, and sustained member engagement.
• Collaborate closely with senior leadership to craft year-round and long-term fundraising strategies, generate monthly revenue projections, and manage a comprehensive donor messaging and stewardship calendar aligned with organizational programming and solicitation goals.

Candidate Qualifications

• Proven fundraising professional with demonstrated expertise in driving individual philanthropy within culturally vibrant organizations.
• Possesses exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills, essential for cultivating meaningful connections with patrons, stakeholders, and the wider opera community.
• Outstanding communication skills, excels in crafting persuasive, clear messaging for donor materials, digital content, and stewardship correspondence.
• Proven organizational and strategic acumen, able to effectively oversee annual giving campaigns, manage donor portfolios, and create impactful fundraising strategies that align with organizational goals.
• Demonstrated track record of leadership in managing donor-centric programs, including experience in annual fund, patron programs, and volunteer engagement.
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment, demonstrating a compassionate yet driven approach to team management and volunteer integration.
• Proficiency with donor databases and prospect research tools is required, ensuring informed, strategic decision-making.
• Embody the Opera Theatre’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and artistic excellence, and desire to actively contribute to the company’s vibrant culture and its continued legacy as a premier institution for opera.

Salary Range
The annual salary range for this position is $95,000 to $100,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Contact
The Batten Group, a national executive search and consulting firm specializing in nonprofit, healthcare, higher education, and mission-based philanthropy has been exclusively retained to conduct this search on behalf of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis.

To refer or nominate a candidate, please contact Robert Driver, Senior Executive Recruiter at The Batten Group. To apply for the Deputy Director of Development, Individual Giving position, please send an updated resume and cover letter to Robert at robert@thebattengroup.com.

POLICY ON PLACEMENT AND RECRUITING
The Batten Group and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis are equal opportunity employers committed to the principles of non-discrimination in the workplace. Candidates will not be discriminated against based on age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital status, or any other basis that is prohibited by federal, state, or local law.