Temporary Senior Philanthropy Officer – Campaign

About the role

This is a temporary, full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible position anticipated to last 12–15 months. The typical schedule varies with the dynamic schedule of a theater and requires occasional evening and weekend availability.

Compensation

$87,000 – $92,000 annually

About the role

The Guthrie Theater seeks an accomplished Senior Philanthropy Officer to provide additional fundraising capacity during the final phase of a capital campaign. The ideal candidate is energized by direct donor conversations, disciplined about outreach activity, and motivated by helping an organization cross the finish line of a major campaign. All employees are expected to center, model, and champion the Guthrie’s core values of Artistic Excellence; Community; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility; and Fiscal Responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Manage and actively solicit a portfolio of identified major-gift prospects.
• Develop and execute individualized strategies that combine qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to move donors toward campaign commitments.
• Identify donor interests, philanthropic capacity, and readiness while building authentic relationships that lead to campaign investments.
• Conduct a high volume of meaningful donor interactions through in-person visits, virtual meetings, phone calls, and personalized outreach.
• Close a significant number of five-figure campaign gifts, with an emphasis on moving existing prospects to commitment.
• Collaborate with campaign leadership and development staff to prioritize prospects and identify opportunities to accelerate gift closures.
• Schedule and participate in donor meetings, either independently or alongside senior leadership, to cultivate and solicit gifts.
• Meet ambitious activity and fundraising goals through the close of the campaign.
• Monitor progress against established performance metrics and adjust strategies to maximize results.
• Represent the organization professionally and passionately while communicating the vision and impact of the capital campaign.
• Maintain accurate donor records, contact reports, and pipeline activity within Tessitura (CRM).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of frontline major-gifts fundraising experience, preferably within higher education, arts and culture, healthcare, or other large nonprofit organizations.
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts of $10,000 and above, including closing complex solicitations.
• Experience working on capital campaigns or comprehensive fundraising campaigns strongly preferred.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills and confidence conducting a high volume of donor phone outreach.
• Skilled in donor qualification, cultivation, solicitation, negotiation, and stewardship.
• Experience with donor CRM systems such as Raiser’s Edge NXT, Tessitura, Salesforce, or similar platforms; Tessitura experience preferred.
• Can build trust and credibility quickly with donors and colleagues.
• Comfortable working independently with minimal supervision and little ramp-up time.
• Can sit for extended periods of time and willing to work flexible hours/days reflective of the dynamic schedule of a theater, with the availability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Experience with and commitment to working with individuals and teams that exemplify diversity of identity, experience, and perspective, including but not limited to race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, family and/or marital status, creed, religion, ancestry, disability, national origin, sexual orientation or sexual identity, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, body size/type, status with regard to public assistance or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law.

Benefits

• Competitive Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Employer contributions to HSA, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Dependent Care FSA, Group Life Insurance, Voluntary Life Insurance, Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, 403(b) Retirement Plan (with employer match up to 4.5% after one year of service)
• Transportation: Subsidized passes for Metro Transit buses and trains, discounted pre-tax monthly ramp parking
• Paid Time Off: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), Volunteer Time Off (VTO)
• Complimentary Tickets: To Guthrie productions
• Discounted Tickets: To all shows produced by the Guthrie and to some performances hosted by the Guthrie
• Classes and Camps: Discounts to Guthrie classes and camps
• Other Perks and Resources: Guthrie Store discount; Employee Affinity Groups