Gifts Officer

Job Description

Job Description

Salary: $75,000 - $85,000

Central Role

The Gifts Officer (GO) will join a talented fundraising team and will be primarily responsible for managing a portfolio of mid-level ($2,500-9,999) and major ($10,000+) individual and corporate donors and prospects. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Gifts Officer is responsible for cultivating, stewarding, and securing mid-level, major, and planned gifts while expanding the donor pipeline.

Primary Responsibilities

Portfolio Management

• Maintain and grow a portfolio of approximately 150 current and prospective individual and corporate donors. Manage the full life cycle of giving including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of these donors and prospects
• Help to set forecasts and meet ambitious monthly and annual benchmarks for donors in the GO portfolio
• Solicit upgrades, multi-year commitments, and planned gifts when appropriate
• Maintain donor recognition and underwriting listings and ensure electronic and printed recognition materials are accurate
• Coordinate meetings between donors and artists during production runs
• Ensure that Tessitura records for all portfolio files are meticulously maintained, including plan steps and contact reports
• Communicate ticket requests to the Guest Services team as necessary
• Proven ability to pivot quickly, adapt to evolving priorities, and work effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Willingness to share prospects and collaborate with senior leadership and fellow fundraisers to develop the most strategic path to a gift
• Demonstrated ability to work closely with multiple internal stakeholders across departments, especially in high-touch donor strategies.

Prospect Discovery and Development

• Attend select donor calls with the General Director, the Chief Development Officer, and/or others
• Support the Chief Development Officer and the General Director & Presidents major and leadership giving portfolio work, sending relevant reminders on next steps and renewal timelines, and drafting correspondence and/or written proposals, as necessary
• Work closely with Development Team on the identification and growth of the Mid-Level and Major Gift Pipeline to expand size and scope of high-net-worth (HNW) prospects within the Operas donor pipeline
• Coordinate with Director of Events on the execution of special events for major donors and prospects throughout the season and oversee pre-performance entertaining planning for major donors and prospects

Program Management

• Work with the Development Operations team to consistently ensure up-to-date cash and revenue projections and reporting for all major and leadership giving files
• Support the management of the Board of Directors as requested
• Assist in the cultivation and stewardship of patrons at all levels as needed through email communications, writing newsletter articles, entertaining, and other public-facing opportunities

Related Duties as Assigned

Skills Desired and Qualifications

Education and Experience

• 3-5 years of front-line fundraising experience preferred
• Demonstrated success in converting prospects into major donors, and experience in closing five-figure (or higher) gifts
• Experience closing multi-year and planned gifts is preferred
• Nuanced understanding of the importance of discretion and confidentiality when dealing with HNW individuals and families
• Experience working with donor databases and wealth research software, especially Tessitura and iWave, is preferred
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to quickly and accurately create compelling proposals and written requests for support
• Enthusiasm to embrace and exceed fundraising goals and KPIs as assigned

Specialized Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of opera and familiarity with Philadelphias philanthropic network a plus, or a willingness and appetite to learn more about the art form
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, creative, and team-oriented organizational culture
• Familiarity with corporate, foundation, and planned giving vehicles
• Outstanding interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including the ability to listen carefully and target communications to the specific interests of varied audiences
• Familiarity with and adherence ethical fundraising best practices
• Entrepreneurial and proactive work ethic; thrives on accountability, ownership, and exceeding goals. Able to self-manage
• Tenacious and energetic approach to fundraising, including active prospecting and follow-through
• Comfort managing ambiguity, with a mindset of getting things done through resourcefulness and initiative
• Results-oriented and disciplined approach to work, with impeccable attention to detail
• Demonstrated creativity and strategic thinking, with the ability to take initiative and the willingness to learn
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize workload in a timely manner to complete assignments when faced with competing deadlines
• Professional manner and appearance in representing Opera Philadelphia at all times
• Evening and weekend availability required, especially around performances