Leadership Philanthropy Officer (Legacy)

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. In conjunction with the Director of Philanthropy, to manage the Bel Canto Legacy Program and manage the Legacy Giving Manager.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

- Develops and implements effective fundraising strategies for 75-100 accounts in an assigned leadership giving portfolio, including creating strategies for identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for annual and legacy gifts.

- Determines and maintains accurate gift forecasts for each assigned individual.

- Matches each assigned donors 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.

- In partnership with the Director of Philanthropy, supports the management of the Bel Canto Legacy Program (approximately 40% of time), including:

Provides strategy on legacy prospect identification and stewardship of current planned giving donors

- Coordinates communications and events for society members

- Oversees the branding and marketing of the Bel Canto Society

- Monitors program activity and results

- Manages the Legacy Giving Manager

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

- Hosts donors at various events and functions.

- Maintain accurate and up-to-date 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.

Qualifications

EDUCATION:

- Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university (preferred) or equivalent work experience.

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 and planned gifts.

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 portfolios of 90+ donors and prospects, and demonstrated achievement in providing superior service and producing excellent financial results from patrons.

- 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, and 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.