Major Gifts Manager

Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is a multi-disciplinary arts center located in Brooklyn, New York. For more than 150 years, BAM has been the home for adventurous artists, audiences, and ideas—engaging both global and local communities. With world-renowned programming in theater, dance, music, opera, film, and much more, BAM showcases the work of emerging artists and innovative modern masters.

Reporting to the Director of Major Gifts, the Major Gifts Manager, will manage the pursuit and cultivation of gifts $10k+ that support BAM’s general operations and manage a robust, dynamic pipeline of prospective supporters and donors ready for upgrade. Support the successful moves management for approximately 100 donors and prospects and contribute to the achievement of $1m annual Major Gifts revenue goal.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the process to identify, solicit, and convert prospective donors for BAM.
• Work collaboratively to find innovative ways to support the growth of BAM’s donor base beyond its traditional donor population, incorporating donors interested in supporting the wide variety of programming offered at BAM (film, music, dance, theater, education, community, archives, among others).
• In conjunction with Advancement leadership, the Major Gifts team, and the Individual Giving team, participate in monthly prospect meetings and strategize new cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship approaches.
• Prepare the quarterly reports to be shared with the Board and Committees as appropriate, collect feedback, and incorporate appropriate notes into the database to drive actionable follow-up.
• Support the planning and execution of all cultivation and stewardship events involving major donors and prospects
• Partner with research staff to qualify prospects and craft the next steps for cultivation and solicitation in Tessitura
• Ensure Major Gifts relationship managers, including Director of Major Gifts, AVP of Advancement, Artistic Director, and President, are prepared to proactively meet, call, email, and write to donors to share information, build connections, and solicit donations.
• Prepare timely requests, proposals, and reports for major donors.
• Work collaboratively with the Individual Giving and Development Operations team to manage the acknowledgement process for Major Gifts, ensuring the timely creation, review, and mailing of donor acknowledgments, tax receipts, and donor crediting
• Lead program-specific projects and administrative functions for the Major Gifts department as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent work experience
• 4-5 years of work experience in New York City Philanthropy is preferable
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent customer service standards
• Proactive mindset
• Working knowledge of Tessitura and Microsoft Office preferred
• Passionate commitment to BAM’s programming and mission
• Provide event support to the Growth division
• A willingness to ask questions
• Detail oriented
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to work individually as well as part of a team
• Patience, flexibility, and comfort with both abstract and concrete assignments
• Ability to practice with a high level of confidentiality
• Ability to multitask and prioritize multiple projects and deadlines
• Ability to be discreet and flexible

Working conditions: Category 2: Administrative Work with Light Physical Exertion

• Must be able to work evenings and weekends
• Hybrid Schedule

Brooklyn Academy of Music is an Equal Opportunity Employer. BAM recognizes that historic institutional practices lead to a non-inclusive environment and is working to address diversity and inclusion in all forms. Individuals in BAM are experiencing their own pace during this process, which is not uncommon when addressing power and privilege. The Growth division supports and continues to take part in this process.