Senior Director, Major Gifts & Donor Strategy

Houston Grand Opera; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Grand Opera in Houston, TX seeks a Senior Director of Philanthropy to lead a growing major gifts program, shaping strategy, building a high-performing team, and deepening donor relationships.

Reporting to the Chief Philanthropy Officer, the role oversees portfolio growth, data-informed decisions, and impactful fundraising initiatives, with travel for donor meetings and events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or certification preferred.
• 10+ years of frontline fundraising experience, including major gifts.
• Minimum 3 years in managing fundraising professionals with coaching/mentoring.
• Proven track record of six- and seven-figure gifts.
• Experience with data-driven decision-making and CRM systems (Tessitura, Raiser's Edge, Salesforce).

Responsibilities

• Lead frontline fundraisers focused on major and mid-level donors.
• Develop and execute a long-term major gifts strategy and pipeline.
• Coach staff and manage performance to build a high-performing team.
• Collaborate with philanthropy operations to use data tools and track goals.
• Travel locally and nationally for donor meetings and events.
• Maintain donor records in Tessitura and ensure data integrity.

Skills

Frontline fundraising

Major gifts fundraising

Leadership/people management

Data-driven decision making

Donor relations

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree or certification

Tools

Tessitura

Raiser's Edge

Salesforce

Job description

Houston Grand Opera in Houston, TX seeks a Senior Director of Philanthropy to lead a growing major gifts program, shaping strategy, building a high-performing team, and deepening donor relationships.

Reporting to the Chief Philanthropy Officer, the role oversees portfolio growth, data-informed decisions, and impactful fundraising initiatives, with travel for donor meetings and events.