The Portland Art Museum (referred to as Museum) invites applications for the position of Major Gift Officer. The Major Gifts Officer is a member of the Development team which is responsible for fundraising in support of the mission of the Portland Art Museum and PAM CUT // Center for an Untold Tomorrow.

The Major Gifts Officer is a results-oriented and donor-centered role responsible for growing and managing the major gifts program. Responsibilities include managing an annual portfolio of prospects capable of contributing major and planned gifts, prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The primary purpose of this position is to build, support, and advance a strong donor base that fosters long-term engagement and financial investment at the Portland Art Museum, including the Museum’s Connections Campaign.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Directly manages a portfolio of 100+ individual gift prospects, with the aim of securing a minimum of $1M annually from donors who are capable of making gifts of a minimum of $5,000+, and with a focus on strategic multi-year principal gifts of $25,000+
• Develops written and verbal engagement strategies for principal donors in partnership with the Director of Development and other team members; creates donor presentations and solicitation materials; coordinates donor visits, and staffs Director of Development and Director of Community Philanthropy as needed
• Integrates planned giving strategies with a focus on securing documented planned gift commitments
• Plays an important role in the Connection Campaign in partnership with the Campaign Manager
• Collaborates with the Development team on gift entry and acknowledgment processes, ensuring the accurate documentation of all gifts made by donors in personal portfolio
• Records timely call and meeting notes and maintains appropriate electronic documentation on a timely basis, including constituent notes, gift agreements, proposal tracking, meeting reports, donor strategies, and forecasting in donor portfolio
• Contributes to a culture of inclusive donor stewardship, practices empathy and shows respect for donors at all levels, and actively works toward achieving long-term equity goals within the Development department
• Arranges tours, special access, and customized opportunities for individual donors
• Upholds brand quality for all external communications including press releases, social media, digital marketing, presentations and advertising
• Stays abreast of current affairs in the arts sector, conducts research and shares relevant sector articles, recommends training opportunities with the Museum Development team
• Effectively partners with, communicates with, and collaborates with curators, visitor services, and other Museum staff to execute tours and special donor engagement opportunities
• Upholds confidentiality and protects donor and constituent privacy by exercising discretion and adhering to all standards and ethics or privacy rights

Secondary or Additional Responsibilities

• Partners with the Engagement Manager, as needed, to plan and execute tours and travel; seeks out partners for hospitality (hotel, food) and logistics, and leads donor cultivation and logistics support for donor engagement activities
• Partners with the Head of Partnerships and Grants Manager in developing transformational partnerships with local corporations, foundations, and government officials and entities
• Supports Patron Membership program by cultivating existing Patrons through individual and group engagement, especially those in personal portfolio, and builds new relationships to support the acquisition of new Patrons
• Assists with other special events (sponsor events, galas, coffees)
• Assists with the development of promotional materials for Patron and affinity group memberships and events in the Member magazine, website, press releases and on-site
• Assists with donor stewardship in the form of thank-you notes and phone calls to donors during high volume times of the year
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No supervisory responsibilities

Institutional Responsiblities:

• Support the Museum’s mission, vision and core values of creativity, connection, equity, learning, accessibility and accountability
• Contribute to and support the PAM strategic plan, annual priorities, and institutional initiatives such as diversity, equity, inclusion and access
• Contribute to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, a spirit of collegiality, cooperation, and openness to many perspectives
• Participate in a culture of ongoing learning, collaboration, innovation, creativity, and community engagement
• Use the equity lens in decision making. Promote equity and inclusion goals and have a “people first” mindset

Required Knowledge & Skills

If you have any questions along the way including wanting to talk about a nontraditional career background, please reach out to HR.

• Demonstrated success in implementing fundraising strategies that directly increase organizational revenue; experience with major gifts ($5,000+) is preferred
• Knowledge of best practices for annual giving, major gift programs, and planned giving especially the integration of major giving activities with pipeline development
• Actively aims to diversify the Museum’s donor pipeline and integrates new opportunities for participation and connection for donors at all levels
• Effectively communicate and maintain working relationships with donors at all levels, trustees, community stakeholders, leadership team, colleagues, etc. Contribute to a positive organizational culture based on mutual respect, collegiality, collaboration, and openness to many perspectives
• Can articulate the priorities and programs of the Museum, and identify and understand the philanthropic interests of donors
• Work independently and with limited supervision
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Highly organized and analytical with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Demonstrated commitment to working as a member within a staff team with complex and often competing interests
• Upholds confidentiality and protects donor privacy by exercising discretion and adhering to all standards and ethics or privacy rights

Education, Formal & Informal Experience, Training Required, Certification, Etc.

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Self-starter with a proven track record of success in initiating contact with prospective donors as well as participating in individual cultivation and solicitation for fundraising campaigns
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in general fundraising strategies and practices
• High level of ethics and credibility in presenting points of view and building consensus
• Can develop long and short-range plans, and to think strategically in determining outcomes
• Advanced technology skills; Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe, and donor database experience preferred

Job Conditions

• Schedule/Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm (40 hours per week)
• Evening and weekend hours for donor meetings and special events as needed
• Hybrid - Onsite & Remote
• On-call status, as needed
• Moderate travel
• Extensive computer work and use of Google platform, Microsoft Office, and Blackbaud Altru Database
• The development team is now working onsite and the gift officers are meeting with donors and community members in person regularly

Physical Activities

• Frequently sitting, standing, and moving around the Museum and at offsite locations
• Continuously operates a computer and other office equipment, such as a copy machine, phone, and printer
• Continuously communicates with team members, donors, and community members
• Occasionally push/pull/lift/carry up to 10 lbs
• This is not a complete representation of all physical requirements
  

Benefits

• This role is exempt/salaried and full-time
• Budgeted compensation is within pay grade K ($75,504 min - $89,606 mid - $105,684 max), depending on experience
• $50 per month cell phone stipend
• Healthcare package: medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, 401K match, and flexible spending accounts
• Paid time off: 6 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, vacation, sick, and bereavement leave
• Monthly Museum contribution for public transit, parking, or bike to work plan
• Museum admission & lectures, programs, and gift shop discounts
• R.E.A.P (Reciprocal Employee Attraction Pass), providing free general admission to local destinations