Job Description
Job Description
Description : Position Overview :
The Gift Officer will support the fundraising efforts of the Seattle Symphony Founders Circle program levels by developing and implementing strategies to solicit current and prospective donors through personal visits, email, direct mail, and telephone contact.
The successful candidate will provide excellent service and a tailored approach for annual individual donors up to the $10,000 level, as well as subscribers and ticket buyers who are identified prospective donors. This position carries a robust portfolio of approximately 70-80 current donors, along duties to actively prospect and research potential donors, manage departmental movement through pipeline processes and procedures, and qualify and manage donors for the best ongoing philanthropic support of the Symphony, moving donors to the major giving team as appropriate. The position requires developing and executing a robust discovery program with processes and procedures, including managing Prospect2 automated campaigns and direct patron outreach.
The position demands strong organizational skills, exceptional attention to detail, and a knowledge of best practices for frontline fundraising. The successful candidate will be someone who thrives on challenges, works well under pressure, is a self-motivated team player, and has a great enthusiasm for building relationships that result in philanthropic investment. An interest in classical music is highly desirable.
This position is eligible for a hybrid in-person / remote work arrangement. Regular team meetings require in-office work at least 3 days per week in addition to attending in-person evening and weekend concerts and / or events. Each employee will establish any schedule for remote work in accordance with company policy and supervisor approval. The Seattle Symphony will provide a laptop, but the employee is required to have their own access to a high-speed internet connection for any remote work.
Essential Job Functions :
- Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of 70-80 donors in the Founders Circle giving levels ($5,000 - $10,000) to secure annual support and grow pipeline for major gifts.
- Develop and implement strategies to identify and solicit prospective donors, subscribers, and community through personal visits, email, direct mail and telephone contact, including prospect and research of individual donors under the $5,000 level, as well as subscribers and ticket buyers who are not donors
- Develop and execute a robust discovery program with processes and procedures, including management of Prospect2 automated campaigns and associated direct patron outreach.
- Create departmental movement through pipeline processes and procedures.
- Qualify and manage donors for the best ongoing and increased philanthropic support of the Symphony, moving donors to the major giving team when appropriate
- Ensure donors who have declined face-to-face meetings and / or are not assigned to a major gift officer are included with enhanced solicitations via email or telephone contact
- Work closely with Major Gift Officers and Donor Operations to ensure management of donors who have potential to make major gifts, as well as collaboration around the identification of major gift prospects
- Maintain data integrity, including entering and updating prospect and donor contact reports, plans and proposals in the Tessitura database according to established protocols
- Promptly respond to inquiries and donor communications
- Staff and support development activities at select Seattle Symphony performances and donor events
Requirements : Qualifications :
Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 3 years’ experience working in a development team of a non-profit organization2 years of experience in direct solicitation of individual donors is preferredProven ability to develop relationships with individuals that results in philanthropic investmentAble to creatively manage and execute escalating series of moves to advance donors through qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardshipExcellent interpersonal skills; comfortable meeting with and calling donors to discuss their givingExemplify ethical standards of professional fundraisingExceptional verbal and written communication skillsExcellent listening skillsExtremely well-organized, detail oriented, and able to meet deadlinesKnowledge of / enthusiasm to learn about fundraising best practicesAbility to be a team player in a dynamic, fast-paced environmentAvailability for work outside of typical office hours, including regular evenings and weekendsExperience using Tessitura or other fundraising CRMDesirable : knowledge of the Seattle business and social community; an interest in classical musicPhysical Requirements
The physical requirements described here must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The functions of this position are performed primarily in an office environmentRegular activities include frequent sitting, standing, walking, reaching and bendingThis position may require occasional pulling, lifting and climbing stairsAbility to speak, hear and communicate clearly while handling staff inquiries, telephone calls and customer requestsSpecific vision abilities require close visual acuity for viewing a computer screen and reading, preparing, entering and / or analyzing dataThis position requires repetitive motions of the wrists, hands and fingers for typing at a standard keyboard and regular pinching, picking up and holding pencils and other desk toolsMust have the ability to lift 30 pounds as neededBenefits
Excellent Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (PPO, low deductible)Employer paid Long-Term Disability, AD&D and Life InsuranceEmployer paid ORCA pass for Metro, Sound Transit, the WA State ferries, or other public transport system403b retirement savings plan with employer matching at 1 year10 days Vacation Time, 10 days Sick Time2 personal days11 paid holidays per yearYour birthday off!Employee Assistance ProgramSeattle Symphony values diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace. Individuals who bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives are encouraged to apply. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity (EOE) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and / or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Seattle Symphony will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.