Senior Manager, Major Gifts

Senior Manager, Major Gifts

We are seeking an experienced fundraising professional to lead major gift strategy and strengthen philanthropic support for a mission-driven arts and cultural organization. In this role, you will manage a portfolio of approximately 125 current and prospective donors, focusing on gifts of $25,000 or more, including multi-year and seven-figure commitments. You will develop personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that build lasting donor relationships and increase financial contributions. Working closely with individual giving and artistic program teams, you will support fundraising campaigns and connect donors with initiatives aligned with the organization's mission and values. You will also oversee fundraising efforts for a dedicated artist-focused program, coordinate donor engagement at key events, and lead a small development team. This full-time position combines strategic leadership, relationship management, and hands-on fundraising execution, with hybrid onsite work and travel required throughout the year.

Accountabilities

• Lead major gift strategy: Partner with the Associate Director of Individual Giving to develop and implement fundraising strategies, including initiatives that engage alumni, artists, and other mission-aligned supporters.
• Manage a major donor portfolio: Oversee approximately 125 current and prospective donors, focusing on annual gifts of $25,000 or more, including multi-year commitments and seven-figure contributions.
• Develop personalized solicitation plans: Identify donor interests, cultivate relationships, and execute tailored engagement and solicitation strategies to increase philanthropic support.
• Build and strengthen the donor pipeline: Proactively research, identify, cultivate, and engage new major gift prospects while maintaining consistent communication and meaningful relationships with existing donors.
• Drive donor retention and growth: Secure renewals, encourage increased contributions, and develop long-term philanthropic relationships that support sustainable fundraising growth.
• Lead program-specific fundraising: Direct development strategy for the Catalyst Program, which requires a minimum donor commitment of $35,000, and oversee fundraising operations at the annual Catalyst Forum.
• Collaborate with artistic programs: Work with program teams to identify and engage prospective donors, solicit program-specific gifts, and align fundraising opportunities with organizational priorities.
• Monitor fundraising performance: Analyze major gift revenue, identify trends, and provide regular updates to Development and Finance teams. Maintain accurate revenue projections and opportunity status within the customer relationship management (CRM) database.
• Coordinate donor and festival operations: Oversee donor-related Festival activities, including check-in, concierge services, and scheduling meetings with key contributors.
• Lead and mentor team members: Supervise a small team, including recruitment and selection, onboarding and training, delegation, performance feedback, and ongoing professional development.
• Represent the organization: Participate in events and engage with donors and stakeholders on behalf of the organization and its Development team.

Requirements

• Fundraising experience: At least 5 years of direct fundraising experience, preferably within an arts nonprofit or a similar mission-driven organization.
• Major gift expertise: Demonstrated ability to develop and execute innovative fundraising strategies and solicit significant gifts of $25,000 or more, including experience cultivating high-value donor relationships.
• Relationship management: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to initiate, develop, and maintain meaningful relationships that create value for donors and the organization.
• Donor cultivation and stewardship: Experience developing personalized engagement plans, securing renewals and increased contributions, and maintaining consistent communication throughout the donor lifecycle.
• Prospect research and CRM proficiency: Demonstrated experience using prospect research tools and customer relationship management databases to manage donor portfolios, track opportunities, and support revenue forecasting.
• Communication skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present fundraising strategies, communicate donor opportunities, and engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Organizational and project management skills: Strong planning, prioritization, and time management abilities, including the capacity to manage multiple fundraising initiatives and meet deadlines.
• Donor service orientation: A proactive, responsive approach to donor needs and concerns, with a strong commitment to providing thoughtful and professional stewardship.
• Leadership capabilities: Ability to guide, motivate, and develop a small team while fostering accountability, collaboration, and high performance.
• Strategic alignment: Ability to connect donor interests with organizational mission and values, identify opportunities for philanthropic growth, and secure transformational, multi-year commitments.
• Work authorization: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Work arrangement and travel: Must live within commuting distance of Boulder, Colorado, or Los Angeles, California, to support a hybrid onsite schedule throughout the year. Availability for extended hours during key periods and travel to organizational offices and events, including the annual Sundance Film Festival and Catalyst Forum, is required.

Benefits

• Annual salary: $70,000–$90,000, with the final offer determined by geographic location, relevant experience, skills, and internal equity.
• Health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off: 25 paid organizational holidays annually, plus accrued vacation time.
• Paid leave: Sick leave, family leave, and medical leave.
• Retirement benefits: 401(k) plan with an automatic 3% employer contribution after one year of employment.
• Employee wellness: Access to employee wellness initiatives.
• Festival access: Sundance Film Festival passes and related benefits, which vary each year.
• Hybrid work arrangement: Opportunity to work in a hybrid capacity, with onsite attendance expected for employees based within commuting distance of Boulder, Colorado, or Los Angeles, California.
• Mission-driven work: Opportunity to support arts, artists, and cultural programming through meaningful philanthropic partnerships and long-term donor engagement.