The Senior Director of Development is devoted to maximizing contributed income to realize the mission and objectives of the Company. This position is part of the senior management team and reports to the General & Artistic Director and the Managing Director. This position is responsible for contributed income and fundraising expense goals and activities for the following:
- Individual giving for board and non-board donors
- Major gifts and special project gifts
- Broad Based gifts
- Event Based gifts
- Endowment and planned gifts
- Special Campaigns
Plans for prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. In addition to overseeing a major gifts team, this position is responsible for managing a portfolio of major gift contributors and is required to actively manage those relationships. Work closely with the Director of Development Operations to ensure timely moves management and campaign goals assessment. Assists the General & Artistic Director in managing the Board of Directors. Plans and executes all meetings of the Board and assists with assigning committee members and serving as a main point of contact with the Board of Directors.
- Working with the General & Artistic Director align specific fundraising strategies with the Opera’s strategic priorities
- Regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the organization’s ongoing fundraising efforts, making adjustments and implementing strategies where improvement is needed
- Meeting annual solicitation, cultivation, and stewardship goals.
- Assuming a lead role in prospect management, including the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual donors and prospects
- Setting specific and measurable performance objectives and goals for development staff, performing annual performance reviews
- Managing the development staff to ensure that all deadlines are met, including proposals, reports and funder correspondence
- Ensure the accurate and timely documentation of solicitations, awards, and stewardship requirements in Tessitura, our donor management system, for all assigned constituencies
- Provide a reasonable and timely outlook on pledges and payments for all assigned constituencies
- Overseeing the development and implementation of consistent and strategic messaging in all written correspondence, including proposals, reports and all donor communication
- Working with the CEO, General & Artistic Director, Major Gifts team and the Board to cultivate and maintain strong personal relationships with the philanthropic community, individual and corporate donors, sponsors, board members and volunteers
- Meeting annual solicitation, cultivation and stewardship goals
COMPETENCIES
- A proven track record of measurable success in securing major gifts from individuals, foundations and businesses for a non-profit organization, with an annual goal of at least $1.5M
- Experience with a capital campaign of at least $1M
- Extensive knowledge of development principles, fund-raising techniques and ethics.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- A bachelor’s degree and at least 5-10 years of experience as a Director of Development
- At least 5-years of experience in the performing arts industry
- Experience with a donor database program is required; familiarity with Tessitura is preferred
- Local knowledge of the fundraising landscape in Atlanta is strongly preferred
- Knowledge and/or appreciation of opera is desirable
- The availability to work evening and weekend activities and engage in local, national and international travel
- Ability to sit at a desk for up to and over eight hours per day
- Ability to communicate using a phone and headset
- Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds
- Must perform the functions of the position in a safe manner
Email resume and cover letter to [email protected].