Manager, Major Gifts

Major Gifts Manager

Status:  Exempt

SUMMARY:  The Major Gifts Manager will manage a portfolio of individual donors and help grow NJPAC’s pipeline of philanthropic support. The Major Gifts Manager will build strong donor relationships with the Arts Center’s mid-level donors, develop thoughtful strategies for retention and upgrades, and collaborate with colleagues across Membership, Major Gifts, Research, Programming, and other departments to connect donors with NJPAC’s goals and community impact.

This is an opportunity for an adept fundraiser to take on meaningful strategic responsibility within a dynamic, mission-driven arts organization. The Major Gifts Manager will have the opportunity to shape donor engagement strategies, work closely with experienced colleagues and senior leaders, and help strengthen the path from Membership giving to major philanthropic support. The position reports to the Director of Major Gifts. Application submission window closes on October 1, 2026. Tentative start date will be the beginning of December 2026.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

● Oversee an individual giving portfolio valued at approximately $300,000 comprising approximately 150 donor accounts, leading solicitation, renewal, stewardship, upgrade, and fulfillment strategies. Develop and execute strategies to achieve ambitious portfolio growth over the next 3–5 years. The portfolio includes:

○ 64 Supporter-level donors giving $750–$1,499
○ 35 Patron-level donors giving $1,500–$2,999
○ 7 Partner-level donors giving $3,000–$5,000
○ 35 donors giving between $5,000–$10,000

● Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive multi-year strategy for Champion- and some Vanguard-level giving pipeline growth, establishing revenue goals, benchmarks, and engagement strategies to increase donor retention, upgrades, and the conversion of high-potential members into Vanguard-level and major gift prospects.

● In partnership with Membership, lead the development and management of a comprehensive individual giving pipeline, establishing strategies, systems, and processes to intentionally move donors from entry-level Membership giving through Champion-level support and into Vanguard-level and major gift opportunities.

● Serve as a strategic partner to the Director of Major Gifts and senior leadership in developing and executing coordinated donor strategies, including prospect assignment, cultivation plans, solicitation strategies, stewardship plans, and proposals for donors and prospects with significant giving capacity.

● Develop and maintain strong personal relationships with donors and prospects that lead to increased giving, conducting personal solicitations when appropriate and strategically engaging the Director of Major Gifts and other senior leaders in solicitation and cultivation efforts to maximize fundraising outcomes.

● Identify and qualify high-potential donors and prospects for increased giving.

● Meet regularly with the Membership team to achieve annual fundraising goals and align on three-year strategic planning efforts for Champion-level supporters, including strategies to increase retention, engagement, upgrades, and movement through the individual giving pipeline.

● Analyze portfolio and revenue performance, donor retention and upgrade rates, and pipeline activity to identify trends, assess progress toward annual and long-term goals, and make data-informed recommendations to senior leadership.

● Lead the development and execution of personalized stewardship and engagement strategies for Champion- and select Vanguard-level donors, including creative appeals, customized correspondence, personal visits, program-related meetings and events, ticketing, recognition, benefit fulfillment, and other high-touch “surprise and delight” opportunities. 

● Planned Giving Program: Develop and implement a quarterly planned giving engagement strategy, including one stewardship, cultivation, or educational activity each quarter to increase awareness of legacy giving opportunities and strengthen NJPAC's planned giving pipeline.

● Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records, including contact information, biographical updates, relationship notes, and appropriate coding, in accordance with organizational standards and best practices.

● Manage and/or attend evening and weekend events and perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

●  5 years of progressively responsible experience in individual giving, major gifts, membership fundraising, or a related development role, with demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, stewarding, and upgrading individual donors.

● Proven ability to manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, develop and execute cultivation and solicitation strategies, and build relationships that result in increased philanthropic support.

● Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and implement multi-year donor engagement and pipeline strategies and use data to identify opportunities, evaluate performance, and inform fundraising strategy.

● Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the confidence and ability to initiate and build relationships through personal outreach, including cold calls to prospective and current donors, as well as develop compelling donor communications, proposals, stewardship materials, and presentations.

● Strong interpersonal, collaboration, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, establish effective systems, and work effectively with colleagues across departments and at all levels of an organization.

● Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, creativity, discretion, and ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative team.

● Proficiency with Microsoft Office and CRM/fundraising databases; experience with Salesforce a plus.

● Interest in the performing arts and/or commitment to NJPAC’s mission preferred.

● Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, as required for donor cultivation, stewardship, and organizational events.

NJPAC is an equal opportunity employer and is proud to offer a generous benefits package which includes medical, vision, dental, 401K with match, life, AD&D, PTO, sick time and discounted show tickets.