Benefactors’ Circle Officer

The heart of Boston Ballet is the human experience. Through our living and breathing art, we forge human connections—between artist and attendee, teacher and trainee, friend and newcomer, one's outer and inner self. We believe that our community of employees is better when talented individuals with varied life experiences, identities, races, cultures, and ideas are welcomed, encouraged, and heard. As an internationally-acclaimed company, Boston Ballet is ever-evolving and innovating to stay relevant and ahead of the curve—in our business model, our repertoire, our education, and our engagement with our community.

Reporting to and working closely with the Director of Annual Giving, the Benefactors’ Circle Officer is an exempt level position that drives the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of Boston Ballet’s giving circles, particularly focused on the Benefactors’ Circle—a vital philanthropic resource to Boston Ballet.

The Benefits Circle Officer joins a dynamic development team at an exciting moment of growth for Boston Ballet and serves within the organization as a strong collaborator and champion for the giving circles, striving to maximize donor and patron experiences.

Please be sure to submit a cover letter and resume when applying to ensure consideration of your candidacy.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Donor moves management:

• Directly solicit and manage donors giving between $2,500 and $25,000 annually.
• Build and maintain valued donor relationships with members of the Ballet’s Giving Circles, with a particular focus on members of the Benefactors’ Circle, providing customer service and stewardship at the highest level.
• Drive the quarterly solicitation of Benefactors’ Circle donors, including drafting communications and all tracking, focusing on acquisitions and upgrade appeals to strategically grow the programs.
• Collaborate with Major Gifts colleagues on the renewal of assigned Benefactors and Visionaries, crafting personalized appeals and dedicated proposals in line with each donor’s philanthropic goals.
• Provide high-level support for the stewardship and solicitation of the Visionaries’ Circle ($25,000+), including programming, benefit delivery, and communications.

Annual Giving program growth:

• Qualify potential Benefactors prospects through in-person visits, events, and phone calls to ensure a robust pipeline for Annual Giving.
• Support Boston Ballet’s Planned Giving strategy, pipeline growth, and appeals.
• Collaborate with senior Development team members and Marketing colleagues to increase the visibility of programs, design compelling direct marketing campaigns, e-communications, and mailings.

Special events and in theater support:

• Lead Benefactor events as key program representative, including welcoming donors and all aspects of execution. 
• Manage the E. Virginia Williams VIP Lounge at the Citizens Opera House, and host donors in the space, with the directive to use the space effectively as a location to liaise with donors while Boston Ballet is in the theater.
• Creatively conceptualize and plan giving circle events from idea to execution in partnership with the Director of Special Events. Propose the Annual Giving calendars, including event format and program, managing invitations and follow-up, prospecting, and greeting donors and prospects onsite.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• 3+ years of professional experience, with a preference for nonprofit/development work and experience closing gifts at the $2,500+ level
• Strong relationship building and interpersonal skills
• Work style that exemplifies collaboration, solution seeking, and ambition
• Demonstrated discretion, tact, and good judgment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Self-starter, able to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent data management skills and strong attention to detail necessary
• Results-oriented and committed to meeting benchmarks and goals with a high degree of initiative to motivate high-level donors and volunteers
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends, in particular during the production season
• Must be passionate about advancing Boston Ballet, its programs, and dance as an art form

BENEFITS

• BCBS HMO health insurance plan with zero deductible
• BCBS dental insurance with employer providing 100% annual premium for individual coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) – health and dependent care
• Employer-paid life and disability plans
• Immediate access to 403(b) retirement savings plan featuring both pre-tax and Roth options
• Ability to purchase MBTA passes on a pre-tax, payroll deduction basis up to IRS monthly limit
• Paid time off – holidays, vacation, personal, and sick days
• Free adult dance classes
• Complimentary tickets to select Boston Ballet performances (based on availability)
• Hybrid work

Salary Pay Range: $55,000 to $65,000 per year. This range is a reasonable, good faith estimate of the expected salary range for this position at this time, based on a wide range of factors including qualifications, experience and training, operational and business needs, and other considerations permitted by law.?At Boston Ballet, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role.