Major Gifts Officer
DESCRIPTION
The Dallas Opera is a world-class performing arts organization producing outstanding mainstage and chamber opera repertoire, attracting national and international notice, committed to extensive community outreach and education, and managed to the highest standards of artistic excellence, accountability, efficiency and financial sustainability.
Between 2021-2024, TDO executed a successful $25M+ campaign to raise new gifts and increase annual giving. When the campaign ended in June 2024, TDO’s annual fund reached $8M and is poised for growth. The Major Gifts Officer plays an instrumental role supporting further growth of TDO’s annual fund.
Responsibilities
Reporting to the Director of Development, the Major Gifts Officer supports the success of the $14M annual fund, raising gifts of $25,000 - $100,000+ from individuals, private foundations and corporations.
The Major Gifts Officer is expected to fundraise from a portfolio of existing donors and new business leads generated by staff and volunteers. Specific duties include:
Cultivate, solicit and steward new and existing donors for annual fund gifts
Develop and lead major gifts strategy during TDO’s season, harnessing donor events and other sponsorship opportunities to drive revenue results:
Friends, Inner Circle, Crescendo and Orpheus Legacy Society Member Events - Salons, Insights, Backstage tours, Dress Rehearsals, Cast Parties, production sponsor and cast receptions, and performance day Inner Circle Lounge and Crescendo mixers; special OLS dinners and receptions (season), and others
Signature Events – Opening Night (fall) and OnStage Dinner (spring)
Artistic Development Related Events – Vocal Competition Judges Luncheon and post-concert reception (spring); Women Conductors panel discussion and luncheon (fall and winter); post-Showcase Concert reception (winter); Titus Recital post-concert reception and dinner (winter)
Production and Event Sponsorships
Opportunistic Events – specific recent examples include planning an onstage experience and catered dinner for a major donor, Pride pre-opera community reception
Work with the board Development Committee to develop leads and pursue introductions to start donor conversations
Manage personal donor portfolio – moves management, goals and closing gifts and new memberships as applicable
Provide updates to database concerning financial forecast, donor interactions and research notes
Work nights and weekends during performance season and for other TDO events
Seek to diversify TDO’s donor base and intentionally work to ensure fundraising efforts progress The Dallas Opera’s commitment to equity and belonging
Other duties as requested
Candidate Skills, Knowledge. and Characteristics
Minimum three years of frontline fundraising, including major gifts, capital and endowment campaigns and planned giving, with a proven record of producing results
Motivated by achieving fundraising success
Superior interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively and professionally with a wide range of people, both inside and outside the organization
Strong presentation, persuasion and storytelling skills, both verbal and written
Aptitude for prioritizing, attention to detail, and managing time in a fast-paced environment which often presents competing priorities
Strong project management and organizational skills; accepts responsibility for quality, accuracy, and timeliness of assignments
Demonstrated organizational skills with attention to detail, ability to meet deadlines
Possess creativity, an innovative spirit, initiative, and problem-solving skills
Proficient in Microsoft Office suite; familiarity with Tessitura preferred
Flexibility and ability to work nights and weekends during the season as needed
Knowledge of opera, music and/or performing arts is preferred
Desired Start Date: March 1, 2025
BENEFITS
Pay Range: $90,000 - $90,000 Annual
Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, PTO, paid parental leave, sick leave, 403b savings plan with employer matching, complimentary tickets to performances, and professional development opportunities.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please send a cover letter and résumé to recruitment@dallasopera.org, using the subject line “Major Gifts Officer.” Please send Word or PDF file only. No phone calls, please.
Application Deadline: March 31, 2025
Application Email/Link: recruitment@dallasopera.org
JOB CONTACT
Sara Newman, Human Resources Administrator