Reports directly to: Chief Executive Officer

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Mission: To inspire and engage our community through exceptional musical and educational programs.

Vision: To be a premier cultural destination and leading performing arts organization that sparks lasting connections and transformative impact for all of Charleston.

The Charleston Symphony is an orchestra on the rise, with a strategy rooted in relationships. Our focus is growing the CSO family: donors, patrons, students, volunteers, and community partners. We believe that when more people feel connected to the Symphony and experience its value, financial strength follows.

That approach is producing results. Ticket sales have increased by 85% since just prior to the pandemic. More donors are supporting the Symphony, and more students are being served. Over the past three seasons, we achieved our strategic goal of growing the Annual Fund from $2 million to $3 million; it now stands at approximately $3.5 million and continues to grow. During the pandemic, the CSO raised $16 million for its endowment. A second endowment campaign is underway. The CSO has significant philanthropic momentum.

With 90 years of artistic tradition and a 2025 Carnegie Hall debut, the CSO is pursuing an ambitious future rooted in serving Charleston. Our guiding principles are clear: excellence is our mandate, service is our mission, and impact is our measure.

The Opportunity

The Chief Advancement Officer will help shape that future. As a senior partner to the CEO, the CAO will help define what philanthropy can make possible: investment in musicians, opportunities for students, and a deeper place for music in the life of the Charleston community.

Reporting directly to the CEO and serving on the senior leadership team, the CAO leads advancement strategy and is accountable for fundraising results. This is a working leadership role alongside an established team, combining direction and staff development with active donor relationships, solicitations, and campaign work.

We seek an innovative leader who sees possibilities, builds trust, and brings others into the work. The opportunity is to help build an enduring institution through relationships that matter to both the donor and the Symphony.

Relationships and Charleston Hospitality

We want supporters to feel part of the life of the Symphony. That requires curiosity about their interests, honest conversations about our intentions, and care that continues long after a gift. Philanthropy should give people a meaningful role in what we are building together.

Charleston hospitality is our stewardship standard: warm, gracious, personal, and memorable. The CAO will model that standard and help the team carry it into every invitation, welcome, acknowledgment, and ongoing relationship.

What You Will Lead

Leadership and Culture

• Lead and develop the Advancement team with clear priorities and responsibilities. Delegate thoughtfully, coach staff, and work alongside colleagues where your experience can make the greatest difference. Balance ambitious goals with the time, talent, and resources to achieve them.
• Build an innovative, entrepreneurial culture that welcomes ideas, questions familiar practices, and learns from results. Encourage collaboration across the Symphony and hold yourself and the team accountable for excellence and integrity in both the work and the way it is done.
• Work with the CEO to engage the Board Chair, Advancement Chair, and full Board as essential philanthropic partners in prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and campaign strategy. Help members open doors, prepare for donor conversations, and use their strengths and relationships effectively, with thoughtful follow-through.

Philanthropic Strategy and Transformational Giving

• Advance a multi-year advancement strategy with the CEO and team, connecting institutional ambitions to compelling opportunities for support. Help shape priorities early, bringing donor interests and philanthropic possibilities into planning.
• Personally manage a select portfolio of major donor relationships and pursue transformational gifts with the CEO and Board. Work with colleagues to develop tailored approaches and a strong pipeline of future support.

Annual Giving and the CSO Family

• Lead Annual Fund growth with the team by welcoming new supporters, deepening existing relationships, and increasing renewal, recurring giving, and major-gift participation. Set measurable goals and review progress together.
• Connect communications, concert experiences, education, and stewardship into a thoughtful donor journey. Help colleagues recognize opportunities across the wider CSO family and turn interest into lasting involvement.

Endowment Campaign

• Support the second endowment campaign with the CEO, Board, campaign leadership, and team.

Donor Experience and Stewardship

• With the team, create meaningful access to musicians, rehearsals, performances, and education programs, participating where your presence deepens a relationship. Ensure recognition and reporting show donors what their generosity makes possible, with consistent responsiveness and follow-through.

Advancement Intelligence and Operations

• Use emotional intelligence, research, and data to guide decisions. Review portfolios, pipeline health, and forecasts with the team, keeping next steps clear and attention focused on the most promising opportunities.
• Oversee advancement operations with the team and Finance. Ensure accurate records, controls, and reporting for gifts, pledges, restrictions, and campaign commitments. Give the CEO and Board a clear view of progress, opportunities, and risks.
• Uphold high standards of ethics, confidentiality, and respect for donor intent.