Description

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) is responsible for developing donors and soliciting gifts of $25,000 and higher to meet an annual goal exceeding $2 million, as well as fundraising for special campaigns. This position is a member of the Major & Planned Giving team and works in close partnership with the Director of Development and Director of Major & Planned Giving to advance strategy, portfolio management, and donor engagement across the major gifts pipeline. The MGO 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:

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 major gift and planned giving donors and prospects, securing support for the Joffrey’s top priorities, including productions, scholarship, community engagement, endowment, and special campaigns.
• Develop customized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans aligned with donor interests and organizational priorities.
• Conduct in-person and virtual donor visits, discovery conversations, solicitations, and stewardship meetings.
• Consistently meet or exceed annual revenue, renewal, and acquisition goals.
• Personally solicit major gifts for annual support, multi-year commitments, capital or special initiatives, endowment, and restricted funds.
• Recommend and assist with meetings and donor communications involving Director of Development, President and CEO, Artistic Director, Chief Advancement Officer, and members of the Board of Directors; provide appropriate briefing in advance in partnership with the Major Gifts Manager.
• Craft compelling donor proposals and gift agreements in partnership with the Major Gifts Manager.
• Ensure exceptional stewardship, including impact reporting, acknowledgment, recognition, and exclusive engagement opportunities.
• Partner closely with the Director of Development and Director of Major & Planned Giving on portfolio strategy, donor segmentation, and coordinated cultivation planning across the major gifts program.
• Partner with Development Operations and Individual Giving Team to identify and qualify major gift prospects.       
• Actively identify new prospects through networking, performance attendance, referrals, and donor research.       
• Collaborate with senior leadership and board members on donor strategy and solicitations where appropriate.
• Work closely with Artistic, Community Engagement, and Academy teams to connect donors with programs, artists, and institutional leadership.       
• Host and engage donors at performances, rehearsals, backstage experiences, and special events.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of donor interactions, strategies, and outcomes in the CRM.
• Track portfolio progress and report regularly on goals, pipeline, and forecasts.
• Contribute to long-term fundraising planning and major gifts strategy in collaboration with the Director of Development and Director of Major & Planned Giving.
• Work as part of a coordinated major gifts team structure, ensuring alignment of outreach, stewardship, and solicitation strategies across portfolios.
• Represent the Joffrey at performances and events, and select community gatherings.
• 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.
• Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to advancing the organization’s mission, values, and culture, including inclusion, diversity, equity, and access. 
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE: 4-5 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 arts and culture organizations. Experience working with high-net-worth individual donors, with demonstrated ability to understand the needs and interests 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 institutional 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. Deep commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access is required.