Major Gifts Officer

Company: Detroit Opera

Company Location: Detroit, MI

Job Location: On Site/In Person

Job Type: Full Time

Date Posted: August 27, 2026

Network(s): Development

DESCRIPTION

Classification: Full-Time, Exempt

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, occasional evenings and weekends required

The Major Gifts Officer position is a key member of the Development Department’s team who will be responsible for the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of a portfolio of current and prospective donors. The Major Gifts Officer is an opportunity for a motivated and experienced development professional to impact strategy and growth for Detroit Opera’s Development Department. This position requires both strategic vision and a hands-on approach with knowledge of all facets of development and a good working understanding of nonprofit best practices. The successful candidate will be motivated to network socially and have a call and passion for building relationships with those in decision making positions; is high energy with a positive attitude and the ability to provide superior donor service; and is a dynamic self-starter who can think strategically and provide solutions.

This position reports to the Director of Individual Giving & Donor Engagement, and works closely with the fuller Development team, President & CEO, Board members, and other organizational leaders.

Specific Responsibilities:

· In partnership with board and staff leadership, support strategy of Detroit Opera's leadership annual giving, capital, and other identified campaigns

· Support the Development team, CEO, and Development Committee members in their personal solicitation activity by providing background information and any required materials.

· Develop & manage a portfolio of approximately 125 major individual gift prospects with the goal of securing investments in special campaigns and artistic initiatives as well as maintaining and increasing investments in the annual fund**

o ** Portfolio will include a healthy number of cold prospects and upgrades. Success in this role will look like someone who is eager to lean into the discovery and qualification phases of moves management.

· Key staff manager for the solicitation and stewardship of the DiChiera Society - an annual portfolio of donors that give $3,000+

· Build and facilitate plans to cultivate existing donors and prospects with the goal of opening new opportunities for funding and to deepen existing relationships

· Work closely with volunteer leadership to engage in solicitations and other cultivation/stewardship activities

· Attend meetings of board committees and other relevant working groups and meetings as assigned

· Prepare a yearly Work Plan, aligned with financial targets, as well as professional goals and objectives in partnership with the individual giving team

· Keep detailed, comprehensive and accurate records of contacts with all prospects and donors

· Participate in all events of the Development department including donor stewardship events, donor lounge shifts, board engagement, and other key fundraising events throughout the year.

· Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s degree and/or 3-5 years of development experience with increasing levels of responsibility and achievement in executing a successful fundraising program or equivalent combination of education and experience

· Demonstrated experience in personal solicitations of gifts $10,000+

· Robust history of fundraising results

· Demonstrated interpersonal skills with an ability to work easily and effectively with volunteers and staff, and sensitive to the needs of individuals and able to maneuver within multiple departments

· Ability to understand diverse perspectives and acknowledge the significance of differences and complexities in backgrounds, cultures, values and viewpoints as the foundation for an inclusive environment.

· Effective leadership skills with a proven track record for meeting goals and objectives

· Strong analytical skills, action-oriented, decisive, accurate and timely with the ability to work in an ever-changing environment and adjust priorities accordingly

· Strategist that is motivated by deadlines and measurable outcomes with the ability to work well under pressure; persistence, perseverance, tenacity, integrity and patience

· Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Desired Qualifications:

· Experience working with a donor database such as Tessitura or Raiser’s Edge

· An enthusiasm for opera, dance, arts education, and the performing arts

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

· The person in this position occasionally works weekends and evenings to participate in development activities.

· The person in this position occasionally remains in a stationary position for periods of time.

· The person in this position occasionally navigates throughout the building to attend meetings and access files.

Additional Information

Detroit Opera is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and encourages all employees to fully incorporate their diverse backgrounds, skills, and life experiences into their work and towards the fulfillment of the DO mission.

Desired Start Date: August 25, 2026

BENEFITS

Pay Range: $80,000 - $90,000 Annual

HOW TO APPLY