Leadership Gifts Associate

Sfopera; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

San Francisco Opera is seeking a Development professional to support Leadership Gifts initiatives, coordinating stewardship and cultivation with the General Director’s and Board President’s offices. The role emphasizes timely acknowledgments and meeting scheduling, leveraging Tessitura and Excel to monitor progress.

The ideal candidate will have fundraising knowledge, strong writing skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects while interacting with artists, staff, volunteers, and donors

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum two years of related work experience, preferably in Development.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of fundraising and prospect research.
• Understanding of basic principles of sales techniques and customer service.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates ongoing stewardship and cultivation strategies for the Leadership Gifts team.
• Serves as primary Development Staff liaison with General Director's office and Board President's office in stewardship and cultivation strategies, including timely processing of acknowledgment letters and scheduling of cultivation/stewardship meetings.
• Tracks progress on Leadership-level fundraising initiatives using Tessitura and Excel, including donor initiatives like Camerata.
• Provides administrative support to the Director of Leadership Gifts and Leadership Gifts Officers.
• Oversees donor sponsor credits for marketing materials and ensures timely recognition of gifts in Leadership portfolios.
• Coordinates writing of Leadership materials, such as letters and sponsor spotlights.
• Assists leadership gifts staff with planning, managing and executing special projects.

Skills

Fundraising

Prospect research

Business writing

Sales techniques

Customer service

Multi-project management

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Volunteer liaison

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Tessitura

Excel

Job description

Purpose

To perform tasks in support of all Leadership-level fundraising initiatives as directed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (preferred) or equivalent work experience
• Minimum two (2) years of related work experience, preferably in Development.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of fundraising and prospect research.
• Knowledge of business writing.
• Knowledge of opera/performing arts preferred.
• Demonstrated successful track record of task management.
• Understanding of basic principles of sales techniques and customer service.
• Ability to perform tasks accurately, with great attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications; database skills desirable.
• Proficiency in Tessitura revenue management system highly preferred.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to manage multiple, competing priorities successfully.
• Comfortable working with volunteer leaders and Board committee members.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills including the ability to interact with artists, staff, the public, and volunteers in a professional, confidential and tactful manner.
• Ability to communicate logically, consistently and persuasively, both orally and in writing.

Essential Job Functions

• Coordinates ongoing stewardship and cultivation strategies for the Leadership Gifts team.
• Serves as primary Development Staff liaison with General Director's office and Board President's office in stewardship and cultivation strategies, including timely processing of acknowledgment letters and scheduling of cultivation/stewardship meetings.
• Using Tessitura and Excel (or other software as necessary), tracks progress on key aspects of the department's Leadership-level fundraising initiatives and strategies, including designated fund initiatives such as Camerata.
• Provides administrative and clerical support to the Director of Leadership Gifts and Leadership Gifts Officers as needed.
• Oversees donor sponsor credits for all marketing and communication collateral.
• Coordinates and ensures timely recognition of gifts for donors in Leadership portfolios.
• Coordinates the writing of Leadership-related materials, such as correspondences and sponsor spotlights.
• Assists Director of Leadership Gifts, Leadership Gifts Officers, and Prospect Research Manager with planning, managing and executing special strategies and projects.

Secondary Functions

• Assists stewardship, events and hospitality staff as directed for Leadership-related functions.
• Manages Leadership-level donor cultivation opportunities with production, media and rehearsal teams.
• Manages other donor analysis projects as assigned.
• Provides excellent patron relations services and directs patrons as appropriate for donors in Leadership portfolios.
• Maintains development records and files as appropriate as well as archiving action plans and team strategies.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY OF STAFF