The Director of Major Gifts plays a crucial role in advancing Houston Grand Opera’s mission to enrich our diverse community through the art of opera, by developing, overseeing, and executing a Major Gifts strategy for HGO’s Individual Giving Team. This position is responsible for coordinating all underwriting for Houston Grand Opera donors, working across all departments to develop a full menu of major gift opportunities at the $25,000 level and above, based on the priorities of the company, working collaboratively with the full Individual Giving team to identify ideal donor matches, and supporting them in their effective cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
The Director will manage a portfolio of current and potential Major Gift donors and prospects and supervise a Major Gifts Officer.
JOIN US!
We are looking for talented, passionate, dedicated people who are eager to make contributions to our community and our mission.
Concerned you do not meet every single requirement listed? Apply! We know that some people are less likely to apply for a job if they don’t think they meet 100% of the requirements. At HGO, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. So, if you’re excited about this position but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply! You may be just the right candidate for this position or another role at HGO.
About Houston Grand Opera
The mission of HGO is to enrich our diverse community through the art of opera. We do so by creating, curating, exploring, and producing outstanding experiences centered around the human voice. HGO has received a Tony Award, two Grammy Awards, and three Emmy Awards – we are the only opera company in the world to win all three honors.
Our strategic focus is two-fold: creating profoundly enriching experiences for our diverse audiences and clearly defining and positively promoting the HGO brand.
We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment for all company members. We believe every team member enriches our diversity by exposing a broad range of ways to understand and engage our community and discover, design, and deliver enriching experiences.
Benefits
We offer robust benefits to full-time employees, including:
Comprehensive and affordable health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; a high-deductible healthcare plan with an employer funded health savings account; a flexible savings account; an employee assistance program; and employer-paid life, short term disability and long-term disability insurance
Generous paid time off including vacation, wellness, parental leave, and scheduled and flexible holidays
403b retirement plan with employer match
Flexible work schedule
Professional development fund and opportunities
Discounted parking in the Theater District garage and nearby lots plus easy access to Metro transportation
Free tickets to our mainstage and community productions and events
Key Responsibilities
Major Gift Solicitation: Identify, qualify, and solicit major gift prospects with the capacity to make significant financial contributions to Houston Grand Opera at the $25,000 level and above. Create tailored solicitation strategies and proposals to secure major gifts in support of HGO's fundraising priorities.
Donor Cultivation and Stewardship: Develop and maintain strong relationships with major donors, patrons, and prospective supporters through personalized engagement strategies, including one-on-one meetings, events, and communication outreach.
Underwriting Menu: Develop and manage a complete menu of Studio, Mainstage, and Community and Learning underwriting opportunities for major gift donors to Houston Grand Opera, working with colleagues throughout the individual giving team to identify their ideal donor match
Supervision: Manage a major gift officer, responsible for a portfolio of major donors and prospects, along with HGO’s Leadership Initiative activity.
Committee Reporting: Provide support and updates to the Studio Committee at quarterly committee meetings on the status of underwriting, along with other committees as requested by the Senior Director of Philanthropy
Prospect Research and Pipeline Management: Maintain accurate donor records and gift documentation in Tessitura, the organization's donor database, to track donor interactions, solicitations, and gift commitments.
Collaboration and Teamwork: Work collaboratively with the Development team, Board of Directors, volunteers, and other internal stakeholders to achieve fundraising goals and advance HGO's mission and strategic objectives. Participate in regular team meetings and strategy sessions. Assist with staffing of events as assigned.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, arts administration, fundraising, or related field (Master's degree preferred).
Minimum of 5 years of experience 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, foundations, and corporate partners.
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 HGO's mission, programs, and impact to diverse audiences.
Knowledge of fundraising best practices, donor cultivation strategies, and moves management techniques.
Proficiency in donor management software and CRM systems (e.g., Tessitura, Raiser's Edge, Salesforce) for donor tracking, reporting, and analysis.
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.
Management experience is a plus.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those we consider important for an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job: extended periods of sitting, and performing tasks such as typing and using a computer mouse, with strong visual and auditory focus, occasional lifting (not exceeding 25 pounds), reaching for items, proficiency in keyboarding, effective communication skills, and fine motor abilities, being mobile within the office for activities like attending meetings. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Houston Grand Opera is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HGO are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws or regulations. HGO will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. HGO encourages applicants of all ages
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