Director of Major and Planned Giving - Straz Center for the Performing Arts

Be a Star at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts!

The Straz Center seeks an entrepreneurial and effective Director of Major and Planned Giving (Director) to lead the organization's major and planned giving strategies. The successful candidate will lead identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major and planned gifts in support of capital projects and endowment as part of The Straz Center's capital campaign. The successful candidate will lead the overall fundraising strategy for major and planned giving while executing a robust stewardship plan, ensuring that donors are inspired by The Straz Center's mission and remain engaged in supporting the organization.

The Director will partner closely with the Chief Development Officer and senior volunteers to set policies for major and planned giving. The candidate will consider and analyze the implications of proposed gift arrangements, actions, and decisions on the organization and integrate their efforts with overall fundraising program. The ideal candidate's success will be measured by their ability to secure gift commitments, with an emphasis on making contacts, cultivation, and stewardship. On an annual basis, the Director will review the strategic plan to establish endowment and planned giving goals, action steps, and budgetary expectations for the forthcoming year. The Director will report to the Chief Development Officer.

Located in downtown Tampa, the 335,000 square-foot Straz Center, one of the largest performing arts complexes in the country, offers a team-based work environment that shows our dedication to the community every day. We reward our full-time employees with a strong benefits package including options for health/dental, vision, etc., discounted downtown parking, food and show discounts, plus a generous 403(b) plan and up to 26 days of PTO/Holidays per year.

Essential Functions:

• Carry a portfolio of major and planned giving prospects, focusing on identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Lead face-to-face solicitation of major, planned, and blended gifts in campaign modality.
• Further build the infrastructure for The Straz Center's major and planned giving programs to ensure the organization can continue the solicitation of major gifts for capital projects and endowment after the completion of the $100 million capital campaign.
• Lead moves management, including the identification and migration of annual giving donors to the major gifts level.
• Serve as a planned giving resource for The Straz Center, proactively and effectively collaborating with colleagues regarding relevant endowment and planned giving strategies for their respective portfolios.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive marketing plan to promote endowment and planned giving opportunities to all The Straz Center constituencies.
• Represent The Straz Center in the professional planned giving community and maintain programs to keep professionals informed about the organization's programs.
• Lead discovery work and partner with colleagues to identify and qualify new planned, major, and blended gifts prospects.
• Secure bequest intentions, planned gifts, major gifts, and blended gifts with a gift range of six to seven figures.
• Establish and implement a comprehensive stewardship plan that includes timely gift acknowledgement, annual updates to donors on the impact of their gift, recognition based on gift levels, and that ensures that gifts received are used in accordance with the donor's intent.
• Assist in refining The Straz Center's policies relating to endowment and planned gifts, including gift acceptance policies.
• Provide regular progress reports as required to Straz Center leadership and TBPAC Foundation board.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):

• Passion for The Straz Center's mission, goals, and programs, with a commitment to the performing arts.
• Demonstrated knowledge of planned giving vehicles (e.g., trusts, annuities, and real estate gifts), gifts of securities and other non-cash assets, charitable tax benefits, and associated legal and tax requirements.
• Professional style that demonstrates strong personal conduct and integrity, confidentiality, accessibility and the ability to develop, foster, and maintain positive relationships with volunteers, staff, and members of the community.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Strong verbal and writing skills, high attention to detail and follow-up, and excellent organizational and project management skills.
• High energy level, initiative, and consistent follow-through.
• Motivated team player who is responsive to the needs of others in a fast-paced, goal-driven environment.
• Excellent communication skills (writing, proofreading, speaking, presentation, and listening) and keen attention to detail, with the ability to effectively communicate with all levels of the organization, as well as external constituencies.
• Commitment to the highest standards of professionalism and best fundraising practices.

Education and Work Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Proven track record of securing six and seven-figure major and planned gifts.
• Demonstrated experience and ability to achieve fundraising goals while working with prospects in all phases of development: qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Performing arts background or passion for the performing arts preferred.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate over the phone. The employee is frequently required to traverse the facility, exchange information, and operate equipment.
• The nature of this job requires the employee to work on-site as a regular work routine.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to being an inclusive workplace and strongly believes in the importance of having a diverse group of individuals represented. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.

Please visit our website at www.StrazCenter.org to learn more about the Straz Center.