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.
This Major Gifts Officer (MGO) position is a full-time, exempt role that will have an opportunity to have a tremendous impact on a committed and dynamic development team. Focusing on cultivating new and existing donor relationships, the MGO will manage a portfolio made up of approximately 200 donors and prospects capable of making leadership-level ($10-25K+) gifts.
The MGO will maximize philanthropic achievement by creating and successfully executing strategies to expand the major gifts pipeline and deepen philanthropic relationships with those in a position to be most generous. In addition to stewarding the institution’s existing donor relationships within their portfolio, this role will have a special focus on sourcing and developing new supporters. The successful candidate will approach the opportunity with an entrepreneurial mindset and will be energized by working collaboratively with a team of exceptional colleagues across the organization.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• 3+ years of development experience, including at least 1 year of direct solicitations with a proven record of closing gifts at the $10,000+ level.
• Results-oriented and committed to shared goals with a high degree of initiative to motivate high-level donors.
• Ability to set priorities, balance demands of multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency and experience using a donor database is preferred.
• Ability to handle confidential information ethically and responsibly

• Secure at least $1,000,000 each year for Boston Ballet’s annual operating support and special projects through five-, and six-figure gifts. As well as solicitations when applicable towards the quiet phase of an endowment campaign.
• Work collaboratively with the Major Gifts team to manage relationship building, cultivation, and solicitation within an assigned portfolio of individual major gift donors and prospects with the capacity to make annual and multi-year leadership gifts.
• Support or conduct face-to-face visits, solicitations, and other high-level interactions with major gift donors and prospects with a goal of 10-12 visits per month. This may be done in partnership with senior members of Boston Ballet’s internal and external leadership groups.
• Develop and execute ask strategies, stewardship plans and contribute to the cultivation of campaign giving.
• Partner with Major Gifts team to cultivate a 300+ prospect pipeline of varying degrees of existing engagement and connection to BB. Identify new sources of support, assess giving potential, recommend target ask amounts, and develop personalized strategies to secure annual gifts towards a multi-year annual giving growth strategy.
• In coordination with Development team colleagues, establish and ensure appropriate and meaningful donor recognition and manage the stewardship process for individuals within the assigned portfolio, including preparing gift agreements.
• Communicate with donors the impact of their investment, including presenting relevant information to donors within assigned portfolio.
• 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.
• 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. This will allow the MGO to develop a passion for advancing Boston Ballet, its programs, and dance as an art form.
• Other duties as requested or assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• 3+ years of development experience, including at least 1 year of direct solicitations with a proven record of closing gifts at the $10,000+ level.
• Results-oriented and committed to shared goals with a high degree of initiative to motivate high-level donors.
• Ability to set priorities, balance demands of multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency and experience using a donor database is preferred.
• Ability to handle confidential information ethically and responsibly.