Major Gifts Officer

Job Type

Full-time

Description

The heart of Boston Ballet is the human experience. Through our living and breathing art, we forge human connections-between artist and attendee, teacher and trainee, friend and newcomer, one's outer and inner self. We believe that our community of employees is better when talented individuals with varied life experiences, identities, races, cultures, and ideas are welcomed, encouraged, and heard.

Boston Ballet is an innovative, internationally acclaimed cultural institution that strives to be the ballet company of the future. To that end, Boston Ballet is ever-evolving and innovating to stay relevant and ahead of the curve-including our business model and strategic fundraising efforts.

This Major Gifts Officer (MGO) position is a full-time, exempt role that will have an opportunity to make a tremendous impact on a committed and dynamic development team. Focusing on the thoughtful stewardship of established donors and the development of new donor relationships, the MGO will manage a portfolio of approximately 200 prospects capable of making major gifts ($10K-$250K+).

This Officer will conduct personal visits and other meaningful interactions to help identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and close annual and special gifts at the five and six-figure level. The MGO is responsible for recommending strategies that ensure each constituent in their portfolio will be solicited annually in the most appropriate and thoughtful way. Additionally, the MGO will focus on expanding the major gifts pipeline and deepening new philanthropic relationships with those in a position to be most generous.

The successful candidate will approach this opportunity with an entrepreneurial mindset and will be energized by working collaboratively with a team of exceptional colleagues across the organization.

Please submit a cover letter and resume with your application to be considered for this role. Applications without cover letters will not be considered.

Key Responsibilities

• Secure at least $1,000,000 each year for Boston Ballet's annual operating support and special projects primarily through five- and six-figure gifts.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 200 major gift prospects, current supporters, and Board leaders.
• Goal of 10 face-to-face donor visits per month, with an emphasis on cultivating new support for Boston Ballet.
• Encourage and support strategic prospect relationship building with senior staff and board leadership.
• Participate in asks and strategy development for the Campaign for Boston Ballet's Endowment, currently in a quiet phase.
• In coordination with Development colleagues, ensure appropriate and meaningful donor recognition and thoughtfully manage the stewardship process.
• Creatively and compellingly share the impact of donors' generosity to inspire increased giving.
• Partner with the Major Gifts team to cultivate a 300+ prospect pipeline, representing a range of engagement levels with Boston Ballet.
• Identify new sources of support, assess giving potential, recommend target ask amounts, and develop personalized strategies to secure annual gifts towards a multi-year annual giving growth strategy.
  • Represent the Development team and engage prospects at the theater and events throughout the season with a warm and consistent presence.
• Stay informed about industry trends as well as Company-specific news and events to be used to steward and cultivate major gift donors and prospects.
• Other duties as requested or assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• 4+ years of development experience, including at least 2 years of direct solicitations with a proven record of closing gifts at the $10,000+ level.
• Results-oriented and committed to shared goals with a high degree of initiative to motivate high-level donors.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with a strong attention to detail necessary and an executive communication style.
• Ability to develop and implement effective cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Ability to set priorities, balance demands of multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to take direction and be a team player, while also working…