Director of Major Gifts & Individual Giving
Organization The Apollo Theater
Location New York, NY
Country United States
Sector Non-Profit
Position Level Executive/Director
Education Requirement 4-Year Degree
Position Type Full Time Permanent
Description
The Apollo’s next Director of Major Gifts & Individual Giving will join a thriving cultural institution and touch-point for the African-American community as it enters its 80th Anniversary season and publicly launches its 21st Century Apollo Campaign. Moving forward into the next phase of its multi-year strategic plan, the Apollo has become a vibrant performing arts center and a gateway for importing and exporting cultural projects around the world.
The successful candidate will join an expert senior management team led by President & CEO Jonelle Procope, Executive Producer Mikki Shepard and Senior Director of Development Donna Lieberman. S/he will report to the Senior Director of Development, and work closely with Apollo’s President & CEO, to develop and execute a comprehensive individual giving program, including implementation of a robust major gifts program and continued expansion of annual giving at all levels.
S/he will be an entrepreneurial, energetic, goal-oriented fundraising leader with a passion for the mission of the Apollo and an understanding of its role in Harlem, and the greater New York City community. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in building and running comprehensive individual giving campaigns in a crowded New York City cultural marketplace. The position requires the ability to participate in all aspects of the gift cycle: (1) to initiate contacts with potential major donors; (2) to develop appropriate cultivation strategies for them, including working with volunteers; (3) to move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure; (4) to make regular solicitations; (5) to maintain stewardship contacts with donors.
The successful candidate will be a mature, collaborative leader who is capable of working with talented and diverse individuals in a team-oriented environment. S/he will understand the motivations and interests of major donors in order to cultivate relationships between them and the Apollo. The successful candidate will possess highly polished social skills and be able to comfortably mix with the Apollo’s donors and cultivate a network of potential donors, as well.
S/he will have significant professional experience, strong management and supervisory skills, and the ability to develop and mentor a small team to meet budgeted revenue targets, while collaborating effectively with senior management to achieve broader institutional goals.
The successful candidate will be an excellent communicator in verbal, written, and presentation forms. S/he will be an active collaborator with good interpersonal skills, and will be a liaison with colleagues throughout the organization. S/he will be a positive, optimistic fundraiser who is adept at building relationships with colleagues, as well as donors and prospects, to heighten awareness of the Apollo and to expand its traditional bases of philanthropic support at all levels.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
• A Bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited university or college;
• A minimum of 5 years of development management and/or fundraising experience;
• Experience working with high-level donors, trustees, high net-worth individuals, and diverse constituencies; Established networks in New York City social and cultural circles is preferred;
• A track record of successfully closing major gifts and exceeding contributed income goals in a competitive fundraising environment;
• Strong planning, strategy, financial, budgeting, analytical, and communication skills required, with the ability to meet deadlines and multi-task;
• Sense of humor required;
• Experience with Archtics, Tessitura, The Raiser’s Edge, or a comparable fundraising software; and
• Ability and willingness to work evenings/weekends to manage the Apollo’s fundraising events program, and to travel, as needed.
• Cover letter
• Resume with salary history
• Three (3) development writing samples
• Three (3) professional references, who will not be contacted without the approval of the candidate.
All inquiries and materials will be confidential. Applications will be acknowledged. Please do not mail hard copies.
The Apollo is a registered 501(c)(3) not for profit organization and an equal opportunity employer.

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Email to Apollo@DunchArts.com