Associate Director of Major and Planned Gifts

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:

The Joffrey's Major and Planned Gifts team works to secure leadership and estate gifts for the Joffrey, and has an annual goal exceeding $3 million, as well as fundraising for special campaigns, events, and capital gifts. The Associate Director of Major and Planned Gifts will be a vital part of this fundraising team, working directly with donors--cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts of $25,000 and above. The Associate Director of Major and Planned Gifts will work closely with Joffrey's planned giving donors, and will be responsible for the development and execution of planned giving marketing and stewardship initiatives to grow the number of estate gift commitments to the Joffrey. The Associate Director of Major and Planned Gifts is a leader, and actively identifies and develops relationships and pathways that build on the Joffrey's current successes and enables future programs and initiatives which support the Joffrey's commitment to diversity, accessibility, and artistic excellence in performances & productions, training & education, and community engagement.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Include but are not limited to the following. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

• Manage a portfolio of major gift and planned giving donors and prospects, securing support for the Joffrey's top priorities, including productions, scholarships, community engagement, endowment, and special campaigns.
• Partner with the Director of Major and Planned Gifts to develop and execute fundraising and stewardship strategies for Major and Planned Giving programs.
• Partner with Manager of Major Gifts and Development Operations to develop up to date reporting on progress to goals.
• Work collaboratively with the Advancement team to fortify processes that facilitate continuous identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of a growing pipeline of major and planned gifts.
• Oversee, liaise, and coordinate with fundraising program (MarketSmart) to identify new major gift and planned giving prospects, and create systems to ensure proper qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans.
• Manage relationships with current and prospective major and planned gift donors building engagement and loyalty through proactive cultivation and stewardship activities.
• Collaborate with the Advancement team to develop long-term cultivation strategies for leadership gifts, and assist in implementation, including proposal writing and drafting of high-level donor communications.
• Steward major and planned giving donors and ensure recognition benefits are fulfilled.
• Work with Major Gifts Manager to ensure the maintenance of accurate donor contact information, solicitation, and stewardship plans in database (Tessitura).
• Ensure smooth and efficient operating functions, working closely with each department within the organization to establish supportive and productive relationships.
• Recommend and assist with meetings and donor communications involving leadership and members of the Board of Directors; provide appropriate briefing in advance in partnership with the Major and Planned Giving team.
• Work collaboratively to develop an overall culture of giving, volunteerism, and stewardship that supports the Joffrey's major gifts and planned giving efforts and ensures coordination of activities and resources.
• Appropriately and actively delegate responsibilities and identify areas for growth and needed support for the Major Gifts Manager.
• Maintain a working environment that creates accountability, autonomy, creativity, and respect.
• Stay abreast of developments in philanthropy and fund development, as well as the general fields of management and the not-for-profit sector.
• Assist in Advancement team activities as needed to achieve the Joffrey's fundraising goals, and represent the Joffrey at performances and events.
• Demonstrate consistent involvement and a continuous dedication to expanding inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility at the Joffrey.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE: 3-4 years of related development experience plus relevant undergraduate degree, or equivalent skill and experience. Must have a proven track record of accomplishment and success in fundraising in the non-profit sector. Experience working with high-net-worth individual donors, with demonstrated ability to understand the needs and interest of leadership and major gift donors. Experience leading and delegating to others. Must have an exceptional ability to speak and write persuasively with donors and prospective donors about the needs and goals of The Joffrey Ballet. A proven self-starter with the ability to make decisions in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Must be knowledgeable about Chicago's funding community and embrace opportunities to learn. Excellent strategic, technical, organizational, and computer skills required. Must be professional, detail-oriented, and must have excellent verbal and written communication skills. Knowledge of Tessitura or other development information systems a plus. Knowledge of MarketSmart a plus. Deep commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access is required.

WORK SCHEDULE: Weekly hours will generally be within the range of 8:30am to 5pm Monday through Friday, with additional evening and weekend hours as needed for performances, special events, and to meet deadlines. Regular attendance at evening and weekend performances and events is required.

APPLICABLE PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES: General mobility in office areas. Ability to operate data processing and other office equipment. Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Local travel required. Prolonged periods of standing during events. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.