Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in the search for a Chief Philanthropy Officer.

Reporting to the President and CEO, the Chief Philanthropy Officer will serve as a key leadership team member and a trusted partner in developing strategic direction for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. The CPO will sustain and build on a culture of philanthropy, serving as a critical thought partner to the CEO to define and drive the strategic direction for philanthropy, engaging the Board and Advisory Council, and leading the team and volunteers to grow contributed revenue that advances the SLSO in delivering on its mission.

The CPO will excel in forging relationships that build the organization’s visibility, impact, and financial resources. The CPO will design and manage a comprehensive plan that aligns and leverages staff and volunteer relationships with current and prospective donors, deepening relationships and driving philanthropic revenues. They will lead and manage a comprehensive philanthropy strategy, using research and metrics to engage new foundations, corporations, and individual donors, and to secure increased investment from current donors. The CPO will lead all donor communications strategies, crafting a compelling case for support, in alignment with the SLSO brand, and ensure consistent messaging across all donor communication platforms.

Celebrated as one of today’s most exciting, innovative, and enduring orchestras, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) is the second-oldest in the country, marking its 146th year with the 2025/26 season and its eighth with Stéphane Denève, The Joseph and Emily Rauh Pulitzer Music Director. Widely considered one of the leading American orchestras, the Grammy® Award-winning SLSO maintains its commitment to artistic excellence, educational impact, and community collaborations—all in service to its mission of enriching lives through the power of music. Today, the SLSO is redefining what it means to be an American orchestra in the 21st century. The opening of Powell Hall at the newly created Jack C. Taylor Music Center in September after a two-year renovation and expansion represents the most transformational moment in SLSO’s 146-year history and launched a new era for the SLSO. The Jack C. Taylor Music Center is more than a building—"it’s a place where we all come together, and where everyone belongs.” A new brand, All Together Now, embodies the organization’s dynamic spirit and artistry, along with its commitment to make music accessible to all.

Tracing its roots to 1880, the SLSO is celebrated for its warm and engaging sound, prolific and acclaimed recording history, national and international touring activities, and commitment to education and community engagement. For 146 years, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra has been woven into its community’s story as a source of joy, inspiration, reflection, comfort, and healing. SLSO is dedicated to creating a space where all people feel welcome—celebrating their differences, sharing their passion for music, and ensuring everyone can experience the power of live orchestral music. Through the music on stage, recruitment and support of a talented team, and connection with their broader community, SLSO’s goal is to make music inclusive and accessible to all. With a $37M operational budget, the SLSO boasts a large endowment ($278M), which generates a draw that covers one third of its annual budget. With two recently completed campaigns, a 2025-2030 Strategic Plan approved by the Board in June 2025, and the reopening of the hall in September, it is poised to build capacity towards the organization’s 150th anniversary in the 2029-2030 season.

A bachelor’s degree and at least 15 years of direct experience, including leadership of a major, comprehensive fund development program, at a comparable scale and scope of responsibility and 10 years of supervisory experience, is required. An advanced degree and knowledge of orchestral music and performing arts is preferred. The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. If you are excited about this role and feel that you can contribute to the SLSO, but your experience does not exactly align with every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply. All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the responsibilities and qualifications specified in the position prospectus.

The target salary for this position is $200,000. The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra offers a robust benefits package, excellent medical, vision, and dental coverage, flexible spending accounts, retirement, short- and long-term disability coverage, Employee Assistance Program, Basic Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance, generous PTO and holidays, a wellness reimbursement, and free and discounted concert tickets.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or participating in the selection process, please contact Kim Farr at kimfarr@aspenleadershipgroup.com.

To apply for this position, visit: https://opportunities.aspenleadershipgroup.com/opportunities/6131.

About St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

Celebrated as one of today’s most exciting and enduring orchestras, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest orchestra in the country, marking its 144th year with the 2023/2024 season and its fifth with Stéphane Denève, The Joseph and Emily Rauh Pulitzer Music Director. Widely considered one of the leading American orchestras, the Grammy® Award-winning SLSO maintains its commitment to artistic excellence, educational impact, and community collaborations—all in service to its mission of enriching lives through the power of music.  The core of the SLSO’s artistic foundation is its dynamic partnership with Denève, whose energetic musicianship, visionary storytelling, and collaborative spirit have created stronger connections with local and visiting artists, as well as advanced the SLSO’s role as a leader in music education. The SLSO musical family also includes two resident choruses: the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, founded in 1976, performs choral-orchestral music from the Baroque era to today; and the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus, founded in 1994, focuses on the performance and preservation of music from the African diaspora. The St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchest...ra, founded by Conductor Laureate Leonard Slatkin in 1970, is the region’s premiere training orchestra for high school and college students. In March 2023, the SLSO broke ground on a 65,000-square foot expansion and renovation of the orchestra’s home, Powell Hall—the first major renovation project at the historic Grand Center building since it became the SLSO's permanent home in 1968. Led by the internationally acclaimed architecture firm Snøhetta, the project will transform the audience and artistic experience while protecting Powell Hall's historic character and celebrated acoustics, creating a state-of-the art center for community, innovation, and powerful music experiences. While construction is underway, the SLSO will perform throughout the community. The revitalized Powell Hall will open in 2025 to coincide with the building's centennial. An integral part of the vibrant St. Louis community, the SLSO enjoys a long history of robust and enduring artistic collaborations with individuals and organizations locally and around the world. Orchestra musicians share dozens of education and community performances throughout the region each year at medical facilities, places of worship, community centers, and schools. For 20 years, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Live at the Pulitzer?series has highlighted today’s leading musical voices through innovative performances in collaboration with, and reaction to the exhibitions at, the Pulitzer Arts Foundation. The SLSO has served as the resident orchestra for Opera Theatre of Saint Louis for more than 45 years. The orchestra also continues to foster new artistic collaborations, including a chamber music collaboration with The Sheldon in 2023/2024, as well as regular partnerships with The Muny, The Big Muddy Dance Company, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and others. Beyond the St. Louis region, the SLSO's impact is realized through Saturday night concert broadcasts on St. Louis Public Radio and Classic 107.3, acclaimed recordings, regular touring activity, and a digital portfolio that includes a robust online education platform with curriculum materials, interactive programs, activities, and learning opportunities for all ages. Since the arrival of Marie-Hélène Bernard as President and CEO in 2015, the SLSO has aligned its mission to make music more accessible, while fostering a culture welcoming to all. Building on its momentum, the SLSO serves as a convener of individuals, creators, and ideas, and is committed to building community through compelling and inclusive musical experiences. As it continues its longstanding focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, and access, the SLSO embraces its strengths as a responsive, nimble organization, while investing in partnerships locally and elevating its presence globally. For more information, visit slso.org. 

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Connections working at St. Louis Symphony Orchestra