Director of Individual Giving

TITLE:  Director of Individual Giving

STATUS:  FTE, Exempt 

REPORTS TO:  Chief Advancement Officer 

ORIGINAL DATE: 7/2023

REVISION DATE:  9/2024

SALARY RANGE:  $60,000 - 70,000, plus comprehensive benefits package 

Position Summary:

The Director of Individual Giving at Atlanta Ballet will oversee the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of current and prospective individual donors at all levels (Membership, Annual Fund, and Major Gifts) for the Ballet’s general operations, for restricted projects and endowment, and major fundraising events. While much of this fundraising work will be managed independently, important to the Director’s success will be a desire and willingness to collaborate with the Advancement team and other departments at the Ballet. The Director will also take on additional administrative responsibilities determined by departmental and institutional management, possibly including managing existing or new fundraising programs and initiatives. The Director will have two direct reports – the Individual Giving Manager and the Individual Giving Coordinator.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Work with Chief Advancement Officer in developing and maintaining a comprehensive solicitation strategy for assigned portfolio, focusing on upgrading annual gifts and securing leadership gifts, while also cultivating a pipeline of new donors;

• When appropriate, provide support and guidance to the Executive Director, Chief Advancement Officer, Trustees, or senior leadership on cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation of current and prospective major donors;

• Oversee Individual Giving Coordinator in managing a successful strategy for membership acquisition and retention (donors giving less than $1,000);

• Oversee Individual Giving Manager in acquisition and retention of Annual Fund donors (from $1,000 to $9,999) and En Pointe Society, managing successful growth strategies, including multi-channel direct mail and marketing;

• Host donor visits and attend functions;

• Oversee accuracy of program book lists and other recognition;

• Monitor ticketing needs of major donors;

• Draft, review, edit, and coordinate all Major Gifts communications, including solicitations and proposals, acknowledgement letters, and invitations;

• Utilize research resources for donor and prospect research;

• Prepare and monitor annual Major Gifts expense budgets and revenue projections;

• Collaborate with Special Events on donor engagement and stewardship opportunities.

• Regularly attend Ballet performances to welcome donors and advance donor relationships;

• Update and maintain bio data, contact information, call reports and moves management, and other interactions in Tessitura;

• Create new strategies to use performances, events, community programs, and donor benefits to encourage greater frequency of participation and new or increased support;

• Other duties as assigned.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Excellent writing skills, with the ability to craft clear and compelling letters, narratives, and calls-toaction;

• Superior verbal communication, negotiation, and analytical skills;

• High level of personal and professional integrity in dealing with colleagues, Trustees, and donors;

• Ability to work independently and take initiative on designing and implementing new projects;

• Excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrated in relating to Trustees, major donors, volunteers, senior leadership, and colleagues;

• Ability to work effectively with competing priorities and sensitive deadlines;

• Ability to interpret financial information and manage data;

• Ability to work with confidential information;

• High degree of organization, attention to detail, and ability to multitask;

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent work experience, with a minimum of five years of successful frontline fundraising experience, preferably with comparable or larger-sized organizations ($10 million or more annual fundraising goal);

• Demonstrated accomplishments in managing donor portfolios, making personal solicitations, and achieving or exceeding personal and department fundraising goals is required;

• Prior experience with other areas of fundraising (planned giving, annual fund, institutional giving, etc.) and knowledge of and experience with the Atlanta-area philanthropic community and its leadership is a plus;

• Proficiency with CRMs like Raiser’s Edge or Tessitura;

• Must be available to host donors in the evenings and attend evening cultivation events and performances; weekend work is required during the season (September to May).

• Knowledge of or strong interest in ballet and the performing arts is also a plus.

Salary is $60,000 - 70,000 annually, plus a comprehensive benefits package.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to HRinfo@atlantaballet.com for consideration.

Atlanta Ballet believes that diversity, equity, inclusion, and access are critical to our success and growth as an institution as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain uniquely qualified and talented candidates from a diverse pool. Our goal is to be reflective, both onstage and off, and at all job levels, of the audiences we engage. Atlanta Ballet is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and existing employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship status, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws. 

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to HRinfo@atlantaballet.com for consideration.