Senior Leadership Gifts Officer - Chicago

I.     PURPOSE:  To develop strategies and manage the cultivation and solicitation plan for each individual in an assigned portfolio of donors who primarily give or have the potential to give at least $25,000 annually. 

II.   EDUCATION: 

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (preferred) or equivalent work experience.

III.     EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in the development field, including proven success in face-to-face solicitation of major donors with an outstanding record in closing major gifts.

IV.     PREREQUISITE SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Knowledge of: principles and practices of fundraising, and ticketing and patron services.
• Knowledge of performing arts and/or the operatic art form.
• Proven success in managing large donor portfolios (50+ donors), and demonstrated achievement in providing superior service and producing excellent financial results from donors.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office products and database navigation.
• Tessitura revenue management system experience highly preferred.
• Proven track record of identifying, cultivating and soliciting gifts from major donors.
• Exemplary diplomacy, problem-solving and teamwork skills.
• Must be able to set priorities; coordinate multiple projects simultaneously, meet firm deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and convey complicated procedures clearly and succinctly.
• Establish working relationships and interact effectively with a wide range of people internally and externally.
• Ability to work effectively with volunteer leadership and senior staff, involving them, as appropriate, in the cultivation and solicitation process for major donors.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Must maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Capacity to attend evening and weekend Opera events in the Bay area.
• Must perform the functions of the position in a safe manner.

V.     ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Develops and implements effective fundraising strategies for 50-100 accounts in an assigned leadership gifts portfolio, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans.
• Determines and maintains accurate gift forecasts for each assigned individual.
• Matches each assigned donor's capacity and interest with appropriate Opera programs and priorities for multi-year annual gifts, signature projects and planned giving / endowment needs.
• Works closely with department staff and key volunteers to identify new prospects for annual, capital and endowment funding.
• Provides a high level of donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Partners with staff, volunteer leadership and appropriate resources as needed to meet department objectives.
• Meets ambitious portfolio revenue goals.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

• Hosts donors and giving prospects at various events and functions.
• Maintain complete and accurate records of donor contacts and ongoing communication with current leadership donors and prospects via database and hard file notations.
• Provides donor services to patrons, resolving complaints and problems via phone/correspondence.
• Partners with departmental staff to facilitate events and cultivation opportunities.
• Ensures donors are recognized and acknowledged properly.
• Performs other job related duties as assigned.

VI.     EQUIPMENT OR MACHINES, IF ANY, THAT MUST BE OPERATED TO PERFORM THE POSITION ACCEPTABLY: 

Computer, printer, copier, telephone and other general office equipment and machines.

VII.     WORKING CONDITIONS:  Indoors with temperature and noise levels typical of this environment

THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS INTENDED TO BE AN OVERVIEW OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE STATED POSITION AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS ALL INCLUSIVE OF THE DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES OR REQUIREMENTS.