The Director of Legacy Giving is responsible for the planning and implementation of all aspects of Houston Grand Opera’s legacy giving program, benefitting the Houston Grand Opera Endowment. The Director of Legacy Giving will serve as the key staff member on the HGO Philanthropy team for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of planned, deferred, estate, and endowment gifts. Houston Grand Opera’s Laureate Society (HGO’s giving group who have remembered HGO through their estate plans) is to be managed by the Director of Legacy Giving. Essential duties and responsibilities include:
Develop and implement strategies and tactics for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of planned, deferred, estate, and endowment gifts.
Design and execute a comprehensive, annual marketing plan to increase the number of members of Houston Grand Opera’s Laureate Society. This includes developing and implementing marketing plans focusing on donor communications, donor events, publications, articles and mailings to promote the planned giving program of Houston Grand Opera, including the preparation of content of presentations, proposals, brochures, correspondence, reports, and collateral supporting materials.
Manage a portfolio of donors whose primary and lead gifts to HGO are planned, deferred, estate, and endowment gifts.
Educate and work with HGO Philanthropy team colleagues on prospect identification and cultivation of planned and endowment giving prospects.
Serve as HGO liaison to Laureate Society Council, a steering and advisory committee of volunteers who give guidance on HGO’s marketing and ongoing development of deferred and planned gifts.
Develop and distribute to the HGO Philanthropy team, Laureate Society Council, and Endowment Board, a monthly report on the progress of acquisition of planned, deferred, estate and endowment gifts.
Facilitate the process of planned and estate gifts, working with donor representatives and counsel, toward establishment and maintenance of named funds within Houston Grand Opera Endowment
Serve as HGO Philanthropy team primary contact on any chosen consultants or vendors for planned giving.
In conjunction with HGO Chief Financial Officer, and HGO Endowment Board chair, develop and distribute annual reports to HGO Endowment fund holders.
Create and deploy, throughout the fiscal year, an ongoing acknowledgment and recognition process for endowed and planned gifts.
Review and ensure accuracy in donor listings for endowed funds, and legacy giving in Opera Cues, on the HGO website, and other HGO publications.
Develop and maintain professional skills and relationships with peers in deferred, planned, and legacy giving in order to remain current on topics and issues regarding planned giving.
Assist with staffing of HGO Philanthropy team events as assigned.
Serve as an organizational representative at performances and special events.
Houston Grand Opera also believes these qualities and others will be apparent in qualified candidates:
Significant experience in Philanthropy/fundraising with emphasis on legacy giving.
Business development, customer/client/donor experience, strategic envisioning and planning, and financial acumen, is also preferred
A proven track record of success in the acquisition of customers/clients/donors, and the management of a customer/client/donor portfolio.
A talent for working independently in a disciplined manner, with self-initiation, and within a fast-paced work environment.
Comfort soliciting for planned, deferred and endowment gifts, and funding for HGO.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, writing, and organizational skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Enthusiasm for working effectively with volunteer leadership and HGO staff of all levels.
Computer proficiency, including spreadsheets and database applications, is required.
Ability to work evening and weekend hours in service of departmental and organizational goals.
Significant experience in donor cultivation is desired and a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or relevant professional experience is preferred (advanced degree/certification is a plus). Interest/background in the arts is a plus.
