Senior Director of Philanthropy

Houston Grand Opera (HGO) is entering an exciting new chapter of philanthropic growth, and the Senior Director of Philanthropy will play a pivotal role in shaping what comes next. Reporting to Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO), Darcy Douglas, the Senior Director will serve as a key member of the philanthropy leadership team and deputy to the CPO, leading a talented team of frontline fundraisers while helping to build a stronger, more strategic major gifts program.

The opportunity now is to build on that success by deepening donor relationships, strengthening the major gifts pipeline, and creating the systems, strategies, and culture needed to achieve HGO’s most ambitious fundraising goals and expand transformational giving.

This is an especially compelling opportunity for a builder and team leader—someone who loves bringing structure and strategy to a talented team, setting clear and engaging goals, coaching people to reach their potential, and creating a culture where accountability and collaboration go hand in hand. The Senior Director will have meaningful latitude to shape the team and its approach, including helping to define individual goals and performance metrics, strengthen portfolios, develop talent, and make the case for additional resources as the major gifts program grows.

At its heart, this is an opportunity to help HGO evolve from a successful fundraising operation into a sophisticated, relationship-driven major gifts program—one grounded in creativity, authentic donor engagement, data-informed decision-making, and long-term philanthropic partnerships. The Senior Director will help shift the conversation from transactions and annual benefits to meaningful investments in HGO’s future, while inspiring a team to pursue ambitious goals with energy, discipline, and imagination.

For a fundraising leader who is energized by the opportunity to build something important, lead an inspiring team, and make a measurable impact, HGO offers an extraordinary platform: a beloved and ambitious arts institution, strong philanthropic momentum, and the opportunity to help chart a new path for the future of opera and the performing arts in one of the nation’s most dynamic cities.

The Senior Director of Philanthropy plays a crucial role in advancing Houston Grand Opera's mission to enrich our diverse community through the art of opera by developing, overseeing, and executing a robust fundraising program for HGO. Reporting to the Chief Philanthropy Officer, this position supervises a team of frontline fundraisers spanning mid-level to major gifts. The role is responsible for setting a high standard of performance across the philanthropy department, driving portfolio growth, strengthening donor relationships, and elevating the team's collective capacity to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors at every level.

As HGO embarks on its next chapter of philanthropic growth, the Senior Director will play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of campaign initiatives by aligning team efforts with organizational priorities, building a culture of accountability and ambition, and positioning the department to meet and exceed its most ambitious fundraising goals.

• Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership for a team of frontline fundraisers focused on major and mid-level donors and prospects, including hiring, training, mentoring, and performance evaluation to build a high-performing, entrepreneurial team.
• Develop and implement a robust, long-term major gifts strategy that drives philanthropic support for HGO's top priorities and fosters a collaborative culture across the philanthropy office.
• Build and oversee a comprehensive pipeline program…