Director of Major and Leadership Gifts

Washington National Opera (WNO) is seeking an experienced Director of Major and Leadership Gifts, to play a crucial role in advancing WNO’s mission, by creating, overseeing, and executing a Major Gifts strategy for the Individual Giving Team. Reporting to the Director of Development, this position will manage a team of Gift Officers and will be responsible annually for the delivery of renewed and increased revenue from an existing portfolio of donors and new revenue from a pipeline of high-net-worth prospects.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Oversee a portfolio of trustees and high-level donors, managing their philanthropic engagement and stewardship, with demonstrated success in direct solicitation of gifts $25,000 and above.
• Create opportunities with the team to secure undesignated funds as well as designated opportunities when they have the potential for attracting major gifts.
• In partnership with the Director of Development, help create and launch a national fundraising campaign to capitalize on the momentum of support for WNO’s new chapter.
• Steward portfolio through all WNO events.
• Help to manage one-off cultivation events hosted by trustees and major donors.
• Manage a team of Gift Officers, responsible for individualized portfolios of major donors and prospects.
• Maintain accurate donor records and gift documentation in the organization’s CRM database, to track donor interactions, solicitations, and gift commitments.
• Provide team leadership and coaching through regular feedback and performance management, and appropriately delegate tasks to ensure a high-performing team that regularly meets or exceeds goals.
• Manage and develop team’s best practices in all areas of fundraising, including written and verbal communications, prospect research, proposals, meetings, events, and donor engagement.
• With Director of Development, co-lead staff meetings, strategic planning retreats, staff training and professional development workshops.
• Work with the Director of Development to implement and evaluate long-term goals and strategies for team. Work together to foster a team centered around clarity, kindness, and people-first management.
• Actively promote a collegial and collaborative working relationship with all WNO colleagues.

QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree or applicable professional experience.
• Minimum of 7 years in nonprofit fundraising, with a focus on major gifts and individual giving.
• Proven track record of soliciting and closing major gifts of $25,000 or more from individual donors.
• A minimum of 3 years in a supervisory capacity with experience managing a high-performing team that has met or exceeded goals, through effective goal setting, prioritization, delegation, and team building.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to cultivate meaningful relationships with donors, stakeholders, and community leaders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate WNO’s mission, programs, and impact to diverse audiences.
• Knowledge and training in fundraising principles, development trends, and non-profit management or Board engagement.
• Experience developing and implementing specific fundraising strategies with timeliness and success while maintaining flexibility as the needs of donors and the priorities of Washington National Opera changes.
• Experience with a nonprofit CRM database is preferred.
• Careful attention to detail and knowledge of standard accounting procedures
• A clear understanding of Washington National Opera’s mission, and a nuanced understanding of the ways in which a fundraising operation works within a performing arts institution.
• Ability to deftly manage many relationships and personality types, both internal among staff members, and external among constituents.
• Ability and confidence to work without close supervision.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to attend donor events, performances, and meetings as needed.
• Knowledge of opera is a plus, but a passion for the performing arts is essential.

Washington National Opera, as a leader in opera, seeks to inspire, connect, and enrich our community, shape the future of opera, and illuminate the American and human experience. Guided by our core values of Integrity, Innovation, Excellence, Inclusivity and Joy, we tell timeless stories with programming that excites, entertains, engages, and educates. We are committed to diversity and balance – presenting classic, contemporary, and American works – to broad local, national, and international audiences. Learn more about us at https://washnatopera.org/.

At WNO, we believe that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences strengthens our work and our community. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Washington National Opera offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees including health, dental, and vision insurance with generous employer contributions and paid time off.

If you need reasonable accommodations or assistance throughout the hiring process, please let us know.