Director, Institutional Advancement – BCB

Job Description:

The Director of Institutional Advancement – BCB is responsible for planning, managing and implementing activities that increase, diversify and sustain philanthropic support for The Boston Conservatory at Berklee (BCB). In this role, the Director identifies, develops, oversees, and fosters relationships with all BCB donors.  The Director works closely with the Executive Director of BCB, Berklee colleagues, academic leaders, and senior administration at The Boston Conservatory at Berklee in enhancing current programming and in developing new program initiatives. This position reports to the Associate Vice President of Development, with a dotted line to the Executive Director of The Boston Conservatory at Berklee.

Through excellent application of advancement practices, the Director will have a prospective donor portfolio, and assume responsibility to educate and inform prospective donors about The Boston Conservatory at Berklee’s (BCB) programs and needs, thereby increasing the prospective donors’ affinity to Berklee. This individual will be responsible for soliciting major gifts of $100,000 and above to support the mission and needs of the Conservatory. As BCB lead in an integrated Institutional Advancement (IA)  team, the Director will inform IA colleagues about BCB developments and lead donor prospect strategy sessions with other development staff and maintain effective relations with donors, prospects, board members, volunteers, and the community-at-large.

Additionally, the Director will work with IA staff from all areas to lead delivery of excellent advancement to strengthen relationships and meet goals, including accuracy of donor data, development of proposals, design of engagement strategies and events, and communications strategies.  This leader will focus on existing donors, while also building a pipeline of new potential donors through a range of engagement strategies. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Manages a portfolio of 100+ prospects annually with a focus on a Top 25 target group.

• Participates as a member of the Institutional Advancement (IA) Leadership Team in decision-making, strategic planning and goal setting for the IA Office.

• Represents the Boston Conservatory at Berklee (BCB) divisions and galvanizes the IA Team to meet BCB annual and long-term goals.

• Expands and diversifies donor base/pipeline and collaborates closely with other team members to secure funding for existing and new initiatives.

• Develops and executes annual BCB fundraising plan and strategy, with guidance from the SVP of Institutional Advancement and the Executive Director of BCB.

• Develops key external alliances by cultivating individual and philanthropic support.

• Establishes ideal advancement outreach: Educates frontline in Major Gifts, Corporate & Foundation Relations and the Annual Fund to:

  • Optimize cultivation of individual and organizational prospective donors for BCB

  • Finalize/approve proposals

  • Establish/manage key relationships between prospective donors and institution leaders

  • Effectively develop and articulate BCB’s case for support

  • Solicit gifts that result in successfully achieving BCB’s goals

• Directs and oversees all BCB campaigns

• Oversees BCB’s volunteer leadership board, the Executive Director’s Advisory Council. Develop the philanthropic strategy for the members of this group to strengthen their membership and participation.

• Plans and implements strategically central events, including the annual soirée, scholarship tea, Dancing with Stars: Berklee Edition, dinners, meet and greets (virtual or in person), and receptions.

• Enhances the moves management process in coordination with the greater IA team. Ensure that the division is utilizing RE NXT to its greatest potential.
   

MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree, master degree a plus

• Five or more years of progressive promotion through development positions in a complex not-for-profit institution, higher education a plus, with documented success in cultivating, soliciting, closing and stewarding gifts of $100,000+

• Demonstrated ability to identify future prospective donors, and engage them within the institution or other organizational community

• Demonstrated experience in setting and implementing major gift strategic planning, and solicitation strategies, including moves management practices and record keeping, in support of institutional priorities

• Experience working in an urban community with a diverse population

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skill

• Effective at working with others to reach common goals and objectives

• Outstanding project management skills, with the ability to drive complex, multi-faceted projects forward to deliver results on time; advanced problem-solving skills and decision-making skills and the ability to handle a high pressure environment with timeline pressures.

• Some familiarity with music, musical theater and dance; leading performing artists, and music technology.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Supervises, trains and mentors two full-time direct reports (Assistant Director of Institutional Advancement and Philanthropic Advisor) and communicates fundraising goals and progress.

• Oversees hiring and management of student employees, when necessary.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

Actively strives to foster and maintain a workplace climate that is supportive of all employees regardless of their identity, respectful of difference and genuinely open to multiple perspectives.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.

 

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity at Berklee : 

We support an inclusive workplace where everyone excels based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance.  Berklee affirms that inequality is detrimental to our faculty, staff, students, and the communities we serve. Our goal is to make lasting change through our actions. Berklee is committed to providing fair and equitable consideration of all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, place of birth, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, or status as a member of the armed forces or veteran of the armed forces, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

As part of this commitment, Berklee will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Human Resources Team at hroperations@Berklee.edu or call 617-747-2375.

Berklee is committed to increasing the diversity of our institution, community, and the curriculum. Candidates who can contribute to that goal are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths in this area.

*Currently enrolled Berklee students are not permitted to apply for staff or faculty positions.*

Employee Type:
Staff