Opportunity Details

Director of Major Gifts
Posted: 03/14/2024
Client name: Client Name Text
Job Function: Non-Profit / Social Enterprise
Source: Source Text
Location: Highland, IL
Posted: 03/14/2024
Description

About Ravinia Ravinia Festival (Ravinia) is an internationally renowned, not-for-profit music festival that presents outstanding performances by the worlds greatest artists. Ravinia, North Americas oldest music festival, stands today as its most musically diverse, presenting a large variety of different events throughout the summer. These concerts run the gamut from Yo-Yo Ma to John Legend to the annual summer residency of the nations finest orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The 36-acre park is nestled in a gently wooded area that makes it an enchanting place to experience music. Guests can bring their own picnics or eat at one of the park restaurants. Ravinias principal objectives are: To present performances of a full range of classical music in its open-air Pavilion and enclosed recital halls, by the worlds greatest composers and musicians, along with a variety of other kinds of light classical, jazz, and popular music; To maintain a beautiful park that is welcoming to all and attractive to families in which the music experience is enhanced by a beautiful environment and excellent dining opportunities; To enable gifted young performers to study under great teachers and perform in concert settings; and To develop broader and more diverse audiences for classical music through education and community engagement programs and by maintaining affordable ticket prices. Learn more about Ravinia at www.ravinia.org. The Opportunity Ravinia is seeking an innovative and dynamic Director of Major Gifts (Director). Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors of special gifts to the Festival. The Director leads a team of 3 direct reports Major Gifts Manager, Major Gifts Coordinator, and a seasonal Major Gifts Associate (May September). Principal responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Individual Major Gifts to the Annual Fund: In coordination with the President and the Chief Development Officer, identify and solicit gifts from individuals of $10,000 or higher to the Festivals Annual Fund, including those for sponsorship of the Festivals concerts; steward these donors of these gifts through fulfillment of benefits, recognition, and events, and; cultivate donors currently at lower levels and new prospects. Capital Campaign: In collaboration with the Chief Development Officer and Associate Director of Campaigns, solicits contributions to, and supports the development and implementation of strategy for, any needed capital resources or endowment campaigns. A major capital campaign is being prepared for. Planned and Estate Giving: Continue the development of a competitive planned and estate-giving program for the Festival. Develop programs to enrich the relationships between the Festival and members of the Edward Gordon Society. Determine appropriate vehicles for communication, recognition, and stewardship. Identify candidates for membership in the Edward Gordon Society and secure commitments for planned and estate gifts to the Festival. Endowment Giving: Develop a contemporary endowment program for the Festival. Building on a strong endowment (Fund to Assure Ravinias Future), develop appropriate strategies to add to the principal of this fund. Assist in developing additional funds related to the future needs of the Festival. Build appropriate, consistent recognition for donors to the endowment, thus enhancing stewardship and recognition programs. Commemorative Giving: Identify and solicit prospects for naming opportunities at the Park, including gardens, buildings and programs. Work with the Sculpture Committee of the Board to maintain relationships with donors of sculptures and fountains to the Park. Candidate Profile We recognize that there is a spectrum of lived and professional experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and qualities and personal attributes. Expertise in Major Gifts A results-driven and experienced leader, you bring deep knowledge of both the art and science of fundraising. You have a proven track record of directly securing transformational gifts and growing major and planned giving programs. You draw from your full-stack experience to deliver innovative solutions. You are tactical, bringing a strong data and analysis orientation and a proven ability to use metrics to drive development decisions and achieve strategic objectives. Moreover, you are an inspirational, strong storyteller and know how to demonstrate the impact of a gift on Ravinias audiences, those served by our music education programs, and the regional arts community. Strategic Thinking and Planning A builder, you are someone who thinks strategically. You are excited about the opportunity to take the status quo as just a starting point, then implement best practices and continually innovate. As a goal-oriented development professional, you set aggressive goals that are achievable, then focus on exceeding them. Action-oriented, you know how to get things done. You operate with urgency and efficiency. You know how to identify problems and love to develop plans informed by data to deliver and solve them. You are comfortable navigating ambiguity and working through competing priorities with a flexible approach. Relationship Builder and Communicator As a relationship manager, you love working with people and know how to nurture and maintain genuine relationships that are built for the long term with current and prospective major and planned giving donors. You understand that the best way to meet and exceed goals is through outstanding teamwork and collaboration. You will bring an ability to establish rapport with donors, trustees and audience members to successfully convey Ravinias mission and objectives. A thoughtful steward, you will also bring experience iterating on a comprehensive and multi-faceted donor communication strategy. Passion for the Mission You are passionate about music, embracing the art and experience for audiences and artists alike. You will embrace Ravinias history and legacy while continually innovating alongside the team, leadership and trustees to help expand its brand and reach. As a tireless ambassador for Ravinias mission, you will be able to build rapport, promote the Festival, and inspire deeper support among all constituents. Most importantly, you will be an individual of unquestioned integrity, ethics, and values; someone who can be trusted without reservation. In addition, strong candidates will offer: 5 to 8 years of progressive experience in development, preferably with a cultural institution, including supervisory responsibilities. Proven interpersonal, management, financial, and strategic planning skills. Experience and ability to work with high-level donors, trustees, and the general public. Commitment to participating as a team member of a dynamic, fast-paced office. Ability to work evenings and weekends, as required. Compensation & Benefits Salary for the role is anticipated to range from $130,000 to $140,000, commensurate with experience. In addition, Ravinia offers excellent health and welfare benefits including comprehensive time off, generous retirement savings plans, learning and mentorship opportunities, access to various staff working groups, and a general admission season pass to Ravinia events.

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