Associate Director of Planned and Major Giving, Lyric Opera of Chicago - Chicago, IL

Job title: Lyric Opera of Chicago - Associate Director of Planned and Major Giving Job location: Chicago, IL 60606 United States Requisition code: Date posted: 04/16/15 Job type: Full-Time Compensation: Commensurate with experience Job Classification Job Category: Major Gift Officer

Job Description

Job description:

Position: Associate Director of Planned and Major Giving Reports to: Senior Director of Planned Giving Status: Full-Time, Exempt Lyric Opera of Chicago exists to provide a broad, deep and relevant cultural service to the Chicago region and the nation and to advance the development of the art form of opera. We are searching for an Associate Director of Planned and Major Giving who will work in partnership with the Senior Director of Planned Giving to identify, cultivate, solicit, administer, and steward activities targeted toward individuals with bequests, trusts or other planned giving arrangements.  Duties and Responsibilities: Duties include enhancing and building upon the following functions of Lyric Opera’s planned giving program: • Build and maintain key relationships with individuals with confirmed planned giving commitments (members of The Overture Society), and monitor the delivery of planned giving and donor benefits that were advanced to secure their support, striving for “value added” results. • Cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals with expressed interest in considering estate gifts through self-identification, the Arts Marketing telephone planned giving campaign, and any other campaigns, to grow The Overture Society and Bel Canto Benefactors membership. Develop and execute communication plans and special events targeted to new planned giving prospects. • Create plans for out-of-office/in-person introductory meetings and engagement at networking events. Work on actions plans, identification and contact of potential donors/planned givers for “snowbird” trips to existing or past Lyric patrons who have seasonally or permanently relocated outside the Chicago area.  • Assist in developing and managing ongoing communications; including dynamic website content, season program advertisements and periodic flyers, newsletters, email communications, and other informational materials. • Interface with internal groups – particularly Marketing, Tickets, and the Business Office – to accommodate planned giving donors and ensure that the recognition and visibility provided is accurate and appropriate. • Proactively monitor the estate administration process, maintaining regular communication with attorneys and trust officers (with periodic court appearances) to oversee and secure the best interests of Lyric Opera.  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of estate planning best practices and law through ongoing education, professional association membership, subscriptions to industry-focused magazines and materials. • Attend Lyric events, dinners, and Board meetings where designated stakeholders are represented in order to enhance external relations and serve donors in an advocacy/facilitator role. Proactively schedule Graham Room dinners to enhance Lyric’s relationship with current Overture Society members and cultivate new planned giving donors. • Assist the Development Team in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, administration, and stewardship of activities targeted toward donors or prospective donors in the $10,000- $50,000+ range. Create strategies, write proposals/letters, and market funding opportunities to prospective donors to secure resources required to meet annual, project and event goals (including Production and other Sponsorships, Wine Auction, Operathon, Millennium Park Concert, Lyric Unlimited programs, etc.). • Co-supervise assigned staff: Coordinator – Individual and Planned Giving Management retains the option to add or change job duties at any time.

Job Requirements

Education, training, experience:

J.D. degree or other graduate degree, with 5+ years of professional experience in the law or development field preferred. 5+ years in solicitation of individuals for philanthropic support; demonstrated expertise in developing/maintaining strategic stakeholder relationships. Exceptional interpersonal communication and project-management abilities, excellent oral/written skills, and effective team leadership experience all required. Proficiency with MS-Office products (Word, Excel), familiarity with donor database and planned giving software packages very desirable. Some exposure to Probate proceedings and Trust administrative practices preferred. Extensive evening and weekend work during opera season. Knowledge of opera a plus.