Associate Director of Major Gifts and Corporate Partnerships

TITLE:     Associate Director of Major Gifts and Corporate Partnerships    

STATUS:     Full-Time, Year-Round 

LOCATION:     Hybrid; must live within 3-hour driving distance of Jacob’s Pillow. In-person work is required June-August.

REPORTS TO:    Chief Philanthropy Officer

DEPARTMENT:     Philanthropy

SUPERVISES:      Oversees the Strategic Projects and Partnerships Manager portfolio of Business Partner goals and relationships.          

WORKS WITH:    Philanthropy colleagues, Marketing team, and Hospitality and Special Events Manager

COMPENSATION: $90,000-$105,000

BENEFITS:     Health, dental & vision insurance, FSA, 403B employer contribution, paid time off,  life insurance, short- and long-term disability, Employee Assistance Program, and short-term/relocation housing options might be available.

HOURS:     Schedule will fluctuate and often require nights and weekends, travel

SUMMER ONLY:      Three meals a day, free access to classes, performances, talks, and studio usage. 

The new position of Associate Director of Major Gifts and Corporate Partnerships at Jacob’s Pillow is a tremendous opportunity for an experienced and creative Major Gifts and Corporate Partnerships professional to deepen and expand major donors, as well as to design and deliver corporate partnerships capitalizing on a time of transformation.

This role reports to the Chief Philanthropy Officer and is responsible for overseeing and delivering underwriting support from major donors and major gifts, as well as corporate partners, and overseeing the existing Business Partners program, which is managed by the Business Partners Coordinator (part-time). 

This Associate Director of Major Gifts and Corporate Partnerships is a year-round, full-time position. The successful post holder will guide fundraising strategies and tactics for major gifts and underwriting initiatives, as well as corporate partners. Preference in applications will be given to individuals who are based either in the Berkshires, the region that surrounds Jacob’s Pillow’s home in Becket, Massachusetts, or Boston or in New York City, and can include working remotely during a great deal of the year with monthly travel to Becket or other locations, as needed. During the summer Festival (June through late August) the position will need to be primarily based in the Berkshires. Housing support can be provided, in cases where it is needed.

The Associate Director of Major Gifts and Corporate Partnerships is responsible for cultivating their portfolio of major donors and has the mandate to launch an international council for Jacob’s Pillow, directing prospect research and wealth tracking, managing the growth and stewardship of this particular group, and overseeing events and programs for these constituencies. This role is entrepreneurial and the successful post holder will work closely with senior staff at the Pillow and the Board of Directors. In 2025, this person will be expected to deliver circa $1.5m in underwriting, major gifts and corporate/business partnership income. 

*Accepting applicants until the position is filled

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage a portfolio of circa 100 prospects and current donors, maintaining frequent personalized contact with major donors and key corporate contacts to develop new business.


• Spearheaded creative thinking, the design, and the launch of a new International Council (name tbc) for Jacob’s Pillow. 


• Manage the gift, pledge, and fulfillment processes for major gifts. 


• Negotiate corporate partnerships, which can sometimes be complex, and ensure their delivery with internal partners, particularly the Marketing, Events, and Producing teams. 


• Work closely with the Chief Philanthropy Officer to develop methods that increase major giving and underwriting support, while supporting the Pillow’s clear and stated goals in inclusion, diversity, equity, and access.


• As needed, provide support to involve the Executive & Artistic Director of Jacob’s Pillow, the Chief Philanthropy Officer, other key staff members, and volunteer leadership in developing and maintaining relationships.


• Produce and effectively delegate briefing materials and post-visit follow-up communications.


• Meet budgetary and planning goals for visits, solicitations, and gift closing.


• Promptly record meetings and essential information in the database and manage prospects and gifts.


• With the partnership of the Philanthropy Operations Manager, report on activity metrics, levels, and income to measure progress.


• Effectively utilize administrative support and delegate tasks as appropriate.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A passion for dance.


• Experience working in non-profit organizations (preferably arts and/or dance-focused).


• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent academic experience.


• Minimum four years of fundraising experience and a track record of success in building and sustaining underwriting or sponsorship programs with both or either major donors and corporate partners. 


• Experience in donor event planning and delivery. 


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.


• Superior interpersonal skills; genuine interest in people, and an authentic curiosity.

PRIORITIES IN THE FIRST 6 MONTHS

• With partnership from the Marketing team and input from Senior Leadership to evaluate the structure, recommend and deliver a Corporate Partners pitch deck with appropriate benefits. 


• Connect with all 2024 program underwriters with an update on the impact of their support. 


• Work with colleagues and senior leadership to solicit and retain major gifts before the end of the financial year on 12/31/2024, and to secure multi-year support wherever possible. 


• Work with the Chief Philanthropy Officer, the Director, and a subset of the Board and senior leadership to establish the principles and structure for the 2025 launch of the International Council for Jacob’s Pillow (or a similarly named group). 


• Work with the Business Partners Coordinator to design and host a Fall/winter gathering in the Berkshires, which also creates opportunities for renewals for 2025. 

SKILLS

• Must be self-motivated with a passion for meeting and exceeding goals.


• Strong strategic and tactical thinker and planner.


• Demonstrated ability to engage in collaborative problem-solving with prospects and colleagues; highly organized in portfolio and time management.


• Must be able to establish and maintain excellent rapport with donor constituents and colleagues.


• Able to operate both independently and as an active participant in team-based strategies.


• Ability to exercise sound judgment, diplomacy, and confidentiality, and to exhibit a mature, professional, and positive approach at all times.


• Versatile in standard office computer skills and a love for spreadsheets. 


• Competency working in CRM systems, with a preference but not required for experience working in Tessitura.


• Experience in negotiating complex gift agreements, contracts, or business arrangements is highly desirable, but not required. 

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Pushing, pulling, or lifting objects 25-50 lbs alone or with assistance 


• Working outside in inclement weather and wooded areas


• Extended periods of standing and sitting


• Eventually working nights and weekends


• Working in shared office spaces at a stationary desk

*We believe that no one meets 100% of the listed qualifications. We are less concerned about whether you’ve done everything on a laundry list of specific things and more interested in cultivating a pool of candidates who want to join a connected, mission-driven, hard-working team driven by creativity, curiosity, inclusion, integrity, flexibility, and partnership.

HIRING PROCESS

Apply: Interested individuals are encouraged to send a cover letter, resume, and references by submitting an application using the “Apply” buttons below. Video and/or audio applications are welcome (though not required) in addition to written expressions of interest.

Interview: Pre-screening on Zoom, Hiring Manager Interview on Zoom, In-Person Interview with Panel, Hiring Manager, and Tour of Grounds.

Supplemental Materials: A writing sample, spreadsheet example,  or other relevant materials may be requested from candidates should they be a top candidate. 

If you need accommodations to make this application process happen, please connect with us at hr@jacobspillow.org. We will work to support you through the application process via email, phone call, and/or video chat.