Major Gifts Officer

Reports to the Director of Development
Posting date: 8/31/2023

Description:

Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) is seeking a full-time Major Gifts Officer to join the Development team of three full-time individuals. The Major Gifts Officer works closely with the Director of Development for the strategic development and implementation of a fundraising plan to increase major giving at PTC. The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for a portfolio of individual donors and prospects focusing on cultivating major gifts of $25,000 and greater. They will serve alongside a Development team focused on securing gifts for the Annual Fund, Special Events, and Capital initiatives. In 2023, PTC worked with a consultant to analyze its fundraising capacity. A robust analysis of PTC’s current and past support base led to a recommendation for this growth position for the department. This position is an excellent opportunity to prepare for future roles in arts administration and development leadership. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Embrace and uphold Philadelphia Theatre Company's commitment to its values of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEI&A), actively participating in DEI&A committees dedicated to specific activities related to these values.
• Serve as a front-line gift officer securing annual, major, and planned gifts from an assigned portfolio of 80-100 donors with a gift capacity of $25,000 or greater.
• Participate in the screening process of major donor prospects. Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals with the capacity and interest to make five and six-figure commitments to Philadelphia Theatre Company.
• Lead discovery and prospect engagement activity for assigned donors with the goals of increasing contributed revenue, expanding the prospect pool, and growing the donor base to reflect the diversity and capacity of PTC’s audiences.
• Advance prospective and current donor relationships through personal contact and achieve personal fundraising activity goals monthly, quarterly, and annually. Activities include one-on-one donor meetings; contact via calls, emails, and letters; and attendance at PTC performances, readings,  gala, and donor engagement events.
• Write gift proposals for assigned prospects.
• Develop and implement compelling plans for major gift stewardship and assist in executing strategic opportunities (programs, performances) designed to advance relationships with prospects, donors, and key volunteers.
• Work with the Director of Development to identify and target critical gaps among prospect segments with promising fundraising potential.
• Maintain donor records and moves management records in Tessitura. Write detailed cultivation and solicitation strategies for prospects. Follow all procedures so that donor files are up-to-date. 
• Attend PTC performances, donor events, play readings, rehearsals, and company activities relevant to PTC and active and prospective portfolios.
• Other duties as requested to help the Development department thrive.

Requirements: 

• Experience in Development, with a minimum of three to five years of professional work experience in nonprofit management, development, marketing, public relations, sales, or similar work experience.
• Demonstrated track record of success in cultivating, soliciting, and closing significant philanthropic commitments.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills characterized by the ability to listen, speak, and write effectively.
• Ability to:
  • Manage confidential information with discretion and tact;
  • Act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality;
  • Work collegially and collaboratively in a team setting;
  • Prioritize and independently follow through with details.
• Administrative Skills:
  • Excellent organizational skills;
  • Computer literacy required: word processing, spreadsheets, Google Suite. 
• Required to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
• Ability and commitment to working with diverse groups in terms of gender expression, race, sexual orientation, religion, ability, age, class, and immigration status

Preferred but not required:

• An interest in arts and culture in Philadelphia and an excitement about getting it funded.
• Within previous development experience, a focus on individual giving (leadership annual giving or major gifts).
• Experience working in Tessitura.

Compensation:

This is a salaried exempt position with a minimum annual salary of $80,000. Full-time employees have access to medical insurance (including vision) and dental insurance, currently fully covered by PTC. Employees may also upgrade their medical insurance plan at their own expense. PTC provides employees with the option to participate in a pre-tax 403(b) retirement plan. In addition to the paid company holidays, paid time off includes 10 vacation days, 4 personal days, and 7 sick days per fiscal year. 

Work Schedule:

The typical work schedule for the Major Gifts Officer is Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. This role will require some schedule flexibility to accommodate donor meetings and events outside of these hours, as well as attendance at the occasional weekend or evening PTC event. PTC has a hybrid work schedule that combines remote and in-office work. 

Start Date:

Ideally, no later than November 30, 2023

About Philadelphia Theatre Company

Philadelphia Theatre Company is a vital civic institution dedicated to the creation of extraordinary theatrical experiences that reflect the essential issues and ideas of our time, and which foster connection, understanding, and transformation. We engage and strengthen our community through exceptional productions of new and contemporary plays and musicals, inspiring education programs, and mutually beneficial civic partnerships. We develop exciting new work that resonates both locally and nationally, and uphold a deep commitment to be a fully inclusive, welcoming home for the artists, audiences, and people of Philadelphia.

PTC is dedicated to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment regardless of age, race, ability, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, citizenship, or socioeconomic background. We embrace diversity, ensure fairness, and promote a sense of belonging for artists, audiences, and employees, while striving to remove barriers that may prevent the people of Philadelphia from attending, engaging with, or participating in our programs.

Philadelphia Theatre Company is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, PTC complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We strongly encourage applications from people of color and members of underrepresented groups. We are especially interested in applicants who embrace our stated core values: to be ambitious, joyful, and flexible, and act with integrity and care.

Please submit a cover letter and resume addressed to Nathan Schultz, Director of Development by email to [email protected] with the subject line: Major Gifts Officer.