The New England Conservatory, an independent not-for-profit institution, is recognized internationally as a leader among music schools, educating and training musicians of all ages from around the world. With approximately 750 music students representing more than 40 countries, NEC cultivates a diverse, dynamic community for students, providing them with performance opportunities and high-caliber training by 225 internationally esteemed artist-teachers and scholars. NEC pushes the boundaries of making and teaching music through college-level musical training in classical, jazz, and Contemporary Improvisation. It offers unique interdisciplinary programs such as Entrepreneurial Musicianship and Community Performances & Partnerships that empower students to create their own musical opportunities. As part of NEC's mission to make lifelong music education available to everyone, the Division of Expanded Education delivers training and performance opportunities for children, pre-college students, and adults.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Director of Major Gifts is a high-impact leadership role responsible for the planning and execution of New England Conservatory's (NEC) major and planned giving programs. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer (CDO), the Director serves as a key architect of NEC's philanthropic growth as we conclude this transformative period defined by an ambitious $150M capital campaign and prepare for the next fundraising opportunity.
The Director will oversee a high-performing team of frontline fundraisers, fostering a culture of accountability, data-driven decision-making, and sophisticated moves management. This role requires a
leader who can mentor a team while maintaining a personal portfolio of high-capacity prospects. The successful candidate will be a seasoned fundraiser, strategic leader, and an expert practitioner with the experience to engage high-level donors and turn institutional priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
The Director of Major Gifts is also responsible for substantially increasing major and planned giving revenue, working closely with senior leadership and program leaders, as well as with board members, to effectively engage donors, creating links between their philanthropic interests and NEC's campaign priorities.
The Director must be creative, strategic, transparent, open-minded, resourceful, organized, savvy, results-oriented, data-driven, excel in a fast-paced environment, possess a good sense of humor and diplomacy, and demonstrate a deep commitment to advancing the mission of NEC through transformative philanthropy.
This role is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement with 3 days in office and 2 days remote.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
Strategic Leadership and Team Management
Oversee and implement a comprehensive strategy for major gifts ($100k+), principal gifts, and planned giving to meet both annual fundraising goals and capital campaign targets.
Lead and inspire one major gift officer and a director of planned giving, implementing metrics and KPIs for portfolio management and revenue generation.
Work collaboratively with the executive vice president (EVP), CDO, and senior leaders of the advancement and engagement team to implement a program that is data-driven, highly collaborative to achieve/surpass annual and campaign fundraising goals, as well as cultivate plans for continued donor engagement and outreach.
Partner with the Director of Annual Programs to create comprehensive solicitation and donor engagement strategies that support mutually shared goals.
Work with the Director of Advancement Operations to continuously analyze prospect and donor data and identify new opportunities, track progress toward goals, and refine team strategies for maximum impact.
Collaborate with the Director of Donor Relations to develop and implement compelling and impact-driven donor communications, stewardship, and events.
Develop the skills and capabilities of all direct reports and create a culture of curiosity, mentorship, teamwork, excellence, and accountability.
Serve as a senior member of the advancement and engagement team and contribute to strategy and planning on all development initiatives, programs, and functions, both short and long-term.
Work with the EVP and CDO in planning and implementing a comprehensive, integrated program that is built on an ethos of accountability and continuous improvement.
Advise on data and reports required to demonstrate results, and provide information for internal and external reporting and communications. Maintain an environment of transparency and information sharing.
Support volunteer and campaign-related committees as necessary.
Fundraising
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts of $100,000+ from an active portfolio of approximately 75 prospects, with gift capacity ratings of $500K-$5M.
Meet quarterly and annual key performance indicators and fundraising goals as determined by the CDO.
Conduct 8-10 donor visits monthly; complete a minimum of 10 solicitations annually.
Lead the effort for campaign fundraising for the final year of the campaign with a goal of $150 million and $127 million raised.
Build customized donor stewardship strategies and solicitation proposals.
Identify new major gift sources and serve as a knowledge source for funding opportunities and philanthropic outlets.
Maintain current knowledge of national and international funding environments and trends as they relate to NEC's mission and programs
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
A bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred.
A minimum of 7 years of experience in progressively responsible development positions in non-profit or arts administration is preferred; experience working on a capital campaign is highly desirable.
A demonstrated ability to provide management oversight, leadership, and direction with at least three years of supervisory experience.
A demonstrated track record of successful frontline fundraising and securing 6 and 7+ figure gifts in a complex, institutional setting with multiple stakeholders; managing change; and working across divisions and with the most senior levels of leadership.
Hands-on major and principal gift experience, including a strong understanding of moves management, cultivation and solicitation strategy development, and donor lifecycle development.
Experience developing strategic and comprehensive fundraising plans, executing against plans to achieve goals and objectives, developing fundraising strategies, and creating and managing a budget is critical.
Ability to develop trust and strong collaborative working relationships with various groups and constituents, including high-level donors, corporate leaders, volunteer leadership, and senior administrators.
Significant experience identifying, working with, supporting, and motivating volunteers (including board members), and an appreciation for their role in building an effective development program and campaign effort.
Demonstrated ability to extract and analyze data to make effective, efficient decisions about program strategy and process. Experience preparing and communicating analysis and reporting on revenue and growth trends to a variety of audiences.
Proficient in BlackBaud/Raiser's Edge software is preferred.
Ability to work nights, weekends, and travel is required.
NEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.
Annual Clery Report
In accordance with the federal Clery and Campus SaVE Acts, New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) commits to providing all current and prospective students and employees with access to the annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report. This report will provide the reader with a record of statistics regarding crimes that were reported in the NEC community during the previous three years as well as College policies and procedures, in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. This report may be accessed here. A paper copy can be requested by contacting NEC's Director of Public Safety at 290 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115.