Senior Gift Planning Officer

Position:                    Senior Gift Planning Officer

Department:              Philanthropy

FLSA Grade:              Exempt, Full-Time

Salary Range:            $115,000 - $135,000

Position Summary:  

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association represents the people and venues of the LA Phil. Anchored by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the staff and administration work to support performance in our four iconic venues: Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, the Judith and Thomas L. Beckmen YOLA Center, and The Ford. Having celebrated its 100th anniversary of performance in 2019 and the Centennial of the Hollywood Bowl in 2022, the Senior Gift Planning Officer will play an integral role in the success of fundraising activities specific to the overall mission and strategic priorities of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association.  

The Senior Gift Planning Officer (SGPO), reporting to the Director of Gift Planning, will develop and implement strategies to secure from a portfolio of donor prospects identified with the capacity and inclination to increase the membership of the William Andrews Clark Society by identifying, qualifying, and then cultivating gifts from a donor's will, trust or other gift planning vehicles (beneficiary designations, split interest gifts, etc.). The SGPO will have a dynamic and diverse portfolio of 100-125 individuals.

There is a significant opportunity to work in collaboration with Major Gifts, Annual Fund and Research colleagues to strengthen the existing gift planning donor pipeline and to cultivate new qualified and highly rated prospects for the William Andrews Clark Society.

The SMGO works collaboratively with members of the LA Phil’s Philanthropy team to support a wide-range of fund-raising activities, support for programs, future strategic goals and initiatives of the organization. 

Vacancies: (1)

Position Elements:

• The Senior Gift Planning Officer is responsible for individual goals that include a specific number of new William Andrews Clark Society members, contributing to the collective Philanthropy’s team success.
• Manage all prospect activities for their portfolio of 100-125 individuals.
• Responsible for follow-up on leads generated by predictive data modeling, specifically donor prospects who have same characteristics as current LA Phil planned giving donors.
• Utilizes predictive data model and additional research data to define strategic plans for solicitation of prospects. 
• Working with the Senior Coordinator, Gift Planning, uses gift planning marketing strategies to create maximum participation by LA Phil constituencies. Utilizes marketing and communications and donor recognition materials and programs to implement effective donor relations.
• The SGPO will participate in all aspects of the gift cycle in the prospect management for their portfolio:
  • Initiate contact with potential gift planning and leadership level donors; develop appropriate cultivation strategies.
  • Move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure.
  • Draft and present gift proposal strategies.
  • Conduct solicitation conversations and meetings, including collaboration with additional staff and Executive Team, where appropriate.
• Maintain stewardship contacts with donors; demonstrate empathetic disposition, and perseverance; reflect optimistic and positive attitude, and convey sensitivity to the needs of donors and prospects.          
• Coordinate activities with donors’ attorneys and financial advisors to determine appropriate methods of legacy giving and provide illustrations and proposals regarding legacy giving vehicles. 
• In partnership with the Director, Gift Planning and Associate Director, Affiliates, identify and leverage opportunities to cultivate estate gifts from volunteer leadership of the LA Phil Affiliates Program to cultivate and solicit legacy gifts from its 600-member network. 
• Educate potential prospects, professional advisors, and past donors about gift planning opportunities at LA Phil. 
• Work alongside donors’ attorneys to review and complete documentation of irrevocable legacy gifts, including split interest gifts. 
• In partnership with the special events team, the Gift Planning team, and other Philanthropy staff, design and execute legacy giving events, mailings, and PR for key constituencies. 
• Using Tessitura, document all prospect contacts in a timely manner to ensure positive and purposeful prospect and donor relations.
• Work collaboratively with and in support of volunteers, other Major Gifts Officers, the Philanthropy department, and other LA Phil employees as needed to cultivate and solicit donors for organizational priorities.
• Provide ongoing gift planning training to Major Gift Officers, Annual Fund Officers, and other Philanthropy staff. 
• Offer prospect strategy counsel to staff as required. Be a resource for other philanthropy staff.

Relationships: 

Reports To: Director, Gift Planning

Interacts With: 

• All philanthropy staff (particularly with the major gifts team, annual fund and philanthropy operations colleagues). 
• High level donors and prospective donors; volunteers and members of the Board of Directors, when appropriate.
• Members of the executive office, artistic department, orchestra management, special events, creative services, finance, and audience services (Box Office)
• Music Center Foundation staff and consultants.

Position Requirements:

• 5-7+ years successful experience in major gifts or gift planning, preferably in the arts, consistently meeting goals and performance objectives with demonstrable ability to plan and implement fundraising strategies, and close gifts.
• A Bachelor’s degree is required. JD, other advanced degree, and/or CSPG certification is preferred.
• Proven success and personal experience in the formation, presentation, and negotiation of deferred gifts. Customer-service orientation. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse portfolio and steward donors through a moves management cycle.
• Proven success in closing gifts
• Broad knowledge of the principles of fundraising; a background in major gifts and planned giving a plus.
• Ability to understand the aspirations and interests of patrons in order to develop relationships between them and the LA Phil.
• Interest in and dedication to promoting the Association’s priorities through developing excellent relationships with staff, board members, volunteers, and the Philanthropy department.
• Successful experience developing cultivation and solicitation strategies for varying gift levels.
• A demonstrated record of completing assignments, including timely documentation of donor contacts in the development database.
• Music / Arts background and knowledge of the Los Angeles philanthropic community a plus. 
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem solving, research, and analytical skills.
• Must be a highly energetic professional with a track record of building donor relationships.
• Passionate and committed to meeting with donors and securing gifts.
• Strong organizational and strategic planning skills.
• Team-oriented approach with a track record of respecting co-workers and volunteers.
• Must be self-motivated, creative, and have great attention to detail.
• Must be comfortable and proficient with technology including Microsoft Office Suite, internet-based collaborative applications, social media, and donor software. Experience and knowledge of Tessitura desirable.
• Maintain confidentiality and accuracy with respect to all donors and prospect information.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association will consider for employment qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the FCIHO. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association embraces and is committed to diversity and inclusion within our staff, musicians, guest artists, audiences, and surrounding communities. The Association does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and religious grooming), sex (including pregnancy, perceived pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition or information, genetic information, marital status, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.  Consistent with the law, the Association also provides reasonable accommodation for disabled applicants and employees in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, for pregnant employees who request an accommodation with the advice of their health care providers, for pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions; for employees who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking; and for applicants and employees based on their religious beliefs and practices.