Senior Major Gifts Officer

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.

The Senior Major Gifts Officer (Senior MGO) position is a full-time, exempt role that will have an opportunity to make a tremendous impact on a committed and dynamic fundraising team. Focusing on the thoughtful stewardship of established donors and the development of new donor relationships, the Senior MGO will manage a portfolio of approximately 150 prospects capable of making major gifts ($250K+).

This Officer will conduct personal visits and other meaningful interactions to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, close, and steward annual and special gifts at the five and six-figure level. The Senior MGO is responsible for recommending strategies that ensure each constituent in their portfolio will be solicited annually in the most impactful and thoughtful way. Additionally, the Senior 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.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Secure at least $1,000,000 each year for Boston Ballet’s annual operating support and special projects through five and six-figure gifts.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 major gift prospects, current supporters, and Board leaders.
• Goal of 10 face-to-face donor visits per month, with an emphasis on cultivating new and upgraded support for Boston Ballet.
• 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.
• 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 toward 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.
• Develop materials for prospect and donor meetings to advance to cultivation strategies, including decks, written proposals, and briefings as applicable for senior leadership involvement.
• Act as a resource and mentor for junior members of the major gifts team and development team at large.
• 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.
• 6+ years of development experience, including at least 4 years of direct solicitations with a proven record of closing gifts at the $25,000+ level.
• Results-oriented and committed to shared goals with a high degree of initiative to motivate high-level donors.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a strong attention to detail necessary and an executive communication style.
• Ability to develop and implement effective cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Proficiency and experience using a donor database.
• Ability to take direction and be a team player, while also working independently and strategically with external constituents.
• Ability to set priorities, balance demands of multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to handle confidential information ethically and responsibly.
• Eagerness to represent the Development Office and Boston Ballet with warmth and competence.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends staffing Company performances and special events.
• Must be passionate about advancing Boston Ballet, its programs, and dance as an art form.

 BENEFITS

• BCBS HMO health insurance plan with zero deductible
• BCBS dental insurance with employer providing 100% annual premium for individual coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) – health and dependent care
• Employer-paid life and disability plans
• Immediate access to 403(b) retirement savings plan featuring both pre-tax and Roth options
• Ability to purchase MBTA passes on a pre-tax, payroll deduction basis up to IRS monthly limit
• Paid time off – holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days
• Free adult dance classes
• Complimentary tickets to select Boston Ballet performances (based on availability)
• Hybrid work

Salary Pay Range: $95,000 to $110,000 per year. This range is a reasonable, good faith estimate of the expected salary range for this position at this time, based on a wide range of factors including qualifications, experience and training, operational and business needs, and other considerations permitted by law. At Boston Ballet, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role.