Major Gifts Officer - The Shed

About The Shed

The Shed is a new cultural institution of and for the 21st century. We produce and welcome innovative art and ideas, across all forms of creativity, to build a shared understanding of our rapidly changing world and a more equitable society. In our highly adaptable building on Manhattan’s west side, The Shed brings together established and emerging artists to create new work in fields ranging from pop to classical music, painting to digital media, theater to literature, and sculpture to dance. We seek opportunities to collaborate with cultural peers and community organizations, work with like-minded partners, and provide unique spaces for private events. As an independent nonprofit that values invention, equity, and generosity, we are committed to advancing art forms, addressing the urgent issues of our time, and making our work impactful, sustainable, and relevant to the local community, the cultural sector, New York City, and beyond.

About the Position

The Shed seeks a Major Gifts Officer (MGO) to develop strong relationships with current supporters and actively prospect for and engage new donors. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the MGO will develop and manage a portfolio of approximately 150 to 200 major gift prospects through the complete cycle of identification, research and qualification, engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship (a major donor is defined as a supporter who donates $25,000 and above per year). The MGO will also be responsible for creating cultivation and solicitation materials (brochures, letters, proposals, etc.).

The MGO will provide a high level of strategic input to the Development team as they work together to build major donor programs and establish a renewable base of support for annual operations.

The ideal candidate has extraordinary attention to detail, excellent time and project management skills, and a roll-up-their-sleeves collaborative attitude. The Shed has a start-up atmosphere and projects and deadlines move quickly.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to

-Work with the Chief Development Officer and Senior Director of Development to set annual major gift goals that increase total giving, retain and upgrade donors, and expand the number of major donors; regularly evaluate progress toward the goals, and adjust goals semi-annually

-Partner with The Shed leadership team (Artistic Director, President, CDO) and key Board members with portfolios of donors to craft stewardship and solicitation strategies and plans and to keep all plans on track

-Work with the Major Gifts Associate to refine moves management processes and translate those practices to Tessitura, The Shed’s donor database, with the support of the Development Operations team

-Conduct strategic prospect research to identify new prospects, build a robust pipeline of potential major donors, and prioritize prospects for the Leadership Giving team

-Work closely with the Leadership Giving team to identify current members that can be moved into the prospect pipeline

-Thoughtfully steward all donors and prospects through multiple contacts throughout the year at The Shed

-Carefully track in a timely manner all major gift work in Tessitura and serve as a resource on the status of outreach to all prospects

-Create briefing and solicitation materials, including proposals and program descriptions

-Collaborate with the development team to execute an annual gala, engaging cultivation events and stewardship opportunities and manage major gift follow up from these events

-Attend special events including, but not limited to, cultivation events, member evenings, and behind-the-scenes events with The Shed’s creative team

-Maintain general awareness of philanthropy and trends within the New York City arts-and-culture community

-Other duties as required

Qualifications and Qualities

-Five or more years of prospect and major donor management, supporting leaders in major gift fundraising and a successful record of soliciting five-figure gifts, ideally in a performing arts or museum setting

-Highly attuned interpersonal and people skills, including the ability to communicate professionally, effectively, and discreetly with people of all levels and backgrounds

-Goal oriented and deadline driven

-Meticulous attention to detail

-Collaborative problem solver with a creative approach to finding and building tools that will increase the efficiency of the team

-Ability to multitask and work well under pressure and in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and multiple projects

-Excellent oral and written communication skills

-Superior organizational skills

-Ability to work collaboratively as part of a highly motivated, energetic team in a growing organization

-Adaptability and desire to work in a start-up environment

-Ability to work occasional early mornings, evenings, or weekends as needed

-Microsoft Word and Excel a must; Tessitura and/or Wordfly a plus

-Knowledge of the New York City visual and performing arts community is a plus

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $90,000 to $115,000. Compensation is commensurate with experience.

Application Process

Interested candidates should complete an application and submit résumé and cover letter in a single Word or PDF document saved as candidate's first and last name through our Career Center page here; https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=00f42693-e95e-4535-8e4c-c6ca6da7b138&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=472605&source=CC2&lang=en_US. Only résumés and cover letters submitted in this format will be reviewed. No phone calls, please.

The Shed is dedicated to building an equitable environment that is mixed across lines of difference and strongly encourages applications from Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, transgender, and nonbinary candidates. This position will remain open until filled and until a diverse and qualified pool of candidates is identified. Applicants from populations underrepresented in the arts field are strongly encouraged to apply. Whether you’re new to arts and culture administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.
Salary: $90,000-$115,000