Associate Director Major Gifts
Description
Position Summary
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association represents the people and venues of the LA Phil. Anchored by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the staff and administration work to support performance in our four iconic venues: Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, the Judith and Thomas L. Beckmen YOLA Center, and the Ford. Having celebrated its 100th anniversary of performance in 2019 and the Centennial of the Hollywood Bowl in 2022, the Associate Director, Major Gifts will play an integral role in the success of fundraising activities specific to the overall mission and strategic priorities of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association.
The Associate Director, Major Gifts, reporting to the Director, Major Gifts, will develop and implement strategies to secure financial support from a portfolio of donor prospects identified with the capacity and inclination to make major gifts in support of the LA Phil for inclusion in the LA Phil’s major giving program, the Philharmonic Council. They will supervise three (3) Major Gifts Officers in addition to personally managing a diverse portfolio of 50 individuals capable of contributing to the annual Major Gifts team goal of $8.85M for FY24 and growing exponentially to $9.5M in FY26. Key responsibilities include identification, engagement, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects capable of making gifts of $15,000 or more, with increased emphasis and activity on gifts of $25,000, $50,000, and $100,000+ annually.
They will act as a strategic thought-partner to the Director, Major Gifts and team colleagues, to proactively create and implement strategies to increase support from individuals, with a focus on securing support for a set of organization-wide priorities that include unrestricted annual support, special projects, capital improvements, and endowment. Additionally, they will be responsible for the tracking and achievement of major gifts revenue goals, monitoring quantifiable performance metrics, and overseeing portfolio management for the Major Gifts Officers.
There is a significant opportunity to work in collaboration with Prospect Research and Major Gifts colleagues to strengthen the existing Annual Fund donor pipeline and to cultivate new qualified and highly rated prospects into the Major Gifts effort.
The Associate Director, Major Gifts would be an integral part of a team of 8 professionals, including the Director, Major Gifts, Senior/Major Gift Officers, and the Senior Coordinator, Major Gifts. They will work collaboratively with members of the LA Phil’s Philanthropy team to support a wide-range of fund-raising activities, support for programs, future strategic goals and initiatives of the organization.
Position Elements
The Associate Director, Major Gifts is responsible for individual fundraising goals, contributing to the collective Philanthropy Department annual operating fundraising efforts of $33M+ annually.
They will participate in all aspects of the gift cycle in the prospect management for their portfolio:
- Initiate contact with potential major gift and leadership level donors; develop appropriate cultivation strategies.
- Move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure.
- Draft and present gift proposal strategies.
- Conduct solicitation conversations and meetings, including collaboration with additional staff and Executive Team, where appropriate.
- The Associate Director, Major Gifts will have demonstrated success in building and/or supporting philanthropic relationships while consistently meeting fundraising goals.
- They will supervise three (3) Major Gifts Officers and provide mentoring to staff, as required.
- They will track performance metrics and increase pipeline development, including strategic use of research.
- Manage all prospect activities for their portfolio of 50 individuals and act as a strategic thought-partner to the Director, Major Gifts, Major Gift Officers, and other team colleagues.
- They will have demonstrated experience in interacting effectively with donors and prospects and demonstrate an understanding of the spectrum of frontline activity including gift policies, donor cycle management, and meaningful donor engagement.
- The ideal candidate will have strong written and oral communications skills, exhibited through the development of successful donor communications.
- They will maintain stewardship contacts with donors; demonstrate empathetic disposition, and perseverance; reflect optimistic and positive attitude, and convey sensitivity to the needs of donors and prospects.
- Work in collaboration with Prospect Research and Major Gifts colleagues to strengthen the existing Annual Fund donor pipeline and to cultivate new qualified and highly rated prospects into the Major Gifts effort.
- Using Tessitura, document all prospect contacts in a timely manner to ensure positive and purposeful prospect and donor relations as conducted by the Major Gift team as well as the Philanthropy Department.
- Focus on securing support for a set of organization-wide priorities that include unrestricted annual support, special projects, capital improvements, and endowment.
- Work collaboratively with and in support of volunteers, other Major Gifts Officers, Planned Giving team, the Philanthropy department, and other LA Phil employees as needed to cultivate and solicit donors for organizational priorities.
- Offer prospect strategy counsel to staff as required. Be a resource for other philanthropy staff, including identifying potential volunteer connections, as appropriate.
Relationships
- Reports To: Director, Major Gifts
Interacts With
- All philanthropy staff (particularly with the major gifts team, as well as annual fund and planned giving colleagues).
- High level donors and prospective donors; volunteers and members of the Board of Directors, when appropriate.
- Members of the executive office, artistic department, orchestra management, special events, finance, and audience services (Box Office).
- Music Center Foundation staff and consultants.
Requirements
Position Requirements:
- 7+ years successful experience in major gift fundraising, preferably in the arts, consistently meeting goals and performance objectives with demonstrable ability to plan and implement fundraising solicitations.
- Successful experience supervising staff including knowledge of metrics-based moves management.
- Proven success in raising six-figure annual and major gifts.
- Bachelor’s Degree, Masters desirable.
- Broad knowledge of the principles of fundraising; a background in planned giving is desirable
- Ability to understand the aspirations and interests of patrons in order to develop relationships between them and the LA Phil.
- Interest in and dedication to promoting the Association’s priorities through developing excellent relationships with staff, board members, volunteers, and the Philanthropy department.
- Successful experience developing cultivation and solicitation strategies for varying gift levels.
- A demonstrated record of completing assignments, including timely documentation of donor contacts in the development database.
- Music / Arts background and knowledge of the Metropolitan Los Angeles and Southern California philanthropic landscape is desirable.
- Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills.
- Strong problem solving, research, and analytical skills.
- Must be a highly energetic professional with a track record of building donor relationships.
- Passionate and committed to meeting with donors and securing gifts.
- Strong organizational and strategic planning skills.
- Team-oriented approach with a track record of respecting co-workers and volunteers.
- Must be self-motivated, creative, and have great attention to detail.
- Must be comfortable and proficient with technology including Microsoft Office Suite, internet-based collaborative applications, social media, and donor software. Experience and knowledge of Tessitura desirable.
- Maintain confidentiality and accuracy with respect to all donors and prospect information.
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association will consider for employment qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the FCIHO.
This job has expired but you can still explore other open positions from the same company or find new ones from our amazing selection.
LA Phil
Discover more jobs
**Overview** The LA Phil presents an inspiring array of music from all genres at two of L.A.’s iconic venues- Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl- to audiences of all ages and economic backgrounds. With the preeminent Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra at the foundation of its offerings, the LA Phil aims to enrich and transform lives through music, with a robust mix of artistic, education and community programs. The Los Angeles Philharmonic is praised as one of the world's top orchestras, renowned for its innovative spirit, the virtuosity of its musicians, and its dynamic Music Director, Gustavo Dudamel. Founded in 1919, the Philharmonic has grown steadily in stature, developing close bonds with such major music directors as Zubin Mehta, Carlo Maria Giulini and Esa-Pekka Salonen. In every case, that deep connection has helped define the direction and spirit of the orchestra and of the entire organization.