Planned Giving Officer

Why Seattle Symphony?

Thank you for considering Seattle Symphony for the next chapter in your career.
Our mission is to unleash the power of music, bring people together, and lift the human spirit.
After the global challenges of the past several years, we believe our community needs music now more than ever.
As a member of the Development team, you will partner with individuals and families who share this belief and unlock critical resources to keep the music playing.
The orchestra is made up of world-class musicians who have dedicated their lives to sharing this incredible artform with audiences.
Since our first performance in 1903, we have grown our impact to reach the highest levels of artistic excellence and service.
Our donor family continues to give generously, and this role will provide ample opportunity to make an impact.
If you believe in the power of music and love executing all the details, we want to hear from you!


About our Culture

Working in the Development department at Seattle Symphony is fast-paced, results driven, and entrepreneurial.
We like to say "yes" and aren't afraid to try something new.
As a team we value hard work, ingenuity, and attention to detail.
We are warm and supportive with each other, while personally committed to always delivering our very best.
As the largest performing arts organization in the Pacific Northwest, we're pretty busy!
Our colleagues love the energy, variety, and opportunities for connection this brings to our work.
At our core we care deeply about our donors, whose sincere enthusiasm makes the music possible and brings joy to our jobs each day.


Position Overview:

The Planned Giving Officer is a key member of the Seattle Symphony's fundraising team.
The Planned Giving Officer stewards a portfolio of planned giving donors and new prospects.
This position identifies, cultivates, and solicits individuals interested in making a planned gift through ongoing personal contact, with a strong emphasis on in-person meetings and cultivation events.
The officer shares in the goal of confirming planned gifts, increasing the number of inquiries for information on planned giving, and stewardship of Rebecca and Jack Benaroya Legacy Circle donors/prospects.
Additionally, they provide support to the major gifts team with planned giving solicitations and information.


The Planned Giving Officer has the aptitude and desire to develop a comprehensive knowledge of planned giving and the related tax and estate consequences of gift plans.
Further, the Planned Giving Officer has experience in and appreciation for the value of blended gifts and has a comfort in presenting planned gift opportunities.
The successful candidate will be someone who thrives on challenges, works well under pressure, is a self-motivated team player, and has a great enthusiasm for building relationships that result in philanthropic investment.
An interest in classical music is highly desirable.


This position is eligible for a hybrid in-person/remote work arrangement.
Regular team meetings require in-office work at least 3 days per week in addition to attending in-person evening and weekend concerts and/or events.
Each employee will establish any schedule for remote work in accordance with company policy and supervisor approval.
The Seattle Symphony will provide a laptop, but the employee is required to have their own access to a high-speed internet connection for any remote work.


Essential Job Functions:

•Manage annual and long-term goals and strategies for the Seattle Symphony's Planned Giving Program, with a minimum expectation of securing $1M in new commitments per year.


•Manage a portfolio of Rebecca and Jack Benaroya Legacy Circle (BLC) members and other donors who have included the Symphony in their estate plans.


•Lead efforts to secure new and newly revealed planned gift intentions, including bequests, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, and other complex non-cash gifts and deferred giving vehicles.


•Lead the discovery and identification process for new potential planned giving donors by utilizing constituent data to research and reveal the most likely planned giving donors.


•Prepare and execute required documentation for planned giving processes.


•Supervise all planned giving-related inquiries, including documentation of future giving, estate fulfillment, establishment of trusts and annuities, gift illustrations, endowment agreements, beneficiary notifications, and related activities.


•Lead the planning and execution of planned giving cultivation events, including the annual BLC Luncheon, high-touch cultivation events with the target demographic, direct mail appeals, and marketing on Symphony channels.


•Utilizing the Symphony's automated email software, Prospect2, and project management software, Asana, oversee and expand Planned Giving communication and marketing aimed at identifying and recognizing planned giving constituents.
Communications include the Symphony's publications, print and e-newsletters, and electronic/print surveys.


•Ensure and maintain stewardship and recognition components of the overall prospect strategy.


•Maintain and update accurate records for recognition and implement appropriate benefits and stewardship activities for existing and potential BLC members.


•Actively engage with the Symphony's Board of Directors, Executive Staff, and other key volunteers to empower them as important planned giving donor strategists and advocates.


•Perform other duties as assigned.


Requirements

Qualifications:

•Bachelor's degree in a related field.
Commensurate experience in non-profit development or planned giving may be considered in lieu of degree

•5 plus years proven success in donor-centered fundraising including experience developing and managing relationships with a portfolio of individuals who can be potential planned gift donors.


•Proven ability building and maintaining long-term donor and colleague relationships.
An active listener with a successful track record of interacting with donors and their advisors, colleagues, and estate administrators at the highest level.


•Exemplify ethical standards of professional fundraising

•Exceptional verbal and written communication skills

•Excellent listening skills

•Extremely well-organized, detail oriented, and able to meet deadlines

•Knowledge of/enthusiasm to learn about fundraising best practices

•Ability to be a team player in a dynamic, fast-paced environment

•Availability for work outside of typical office hours, including regular evenings and weekends

•Experience using Tessitura or other fundraising CRM

•Desirable: knowledge of the Seattle business and social community; an interest in classical music

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements described here must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


•The functions of this position are performed primarily in an office environment

•Regular activities include frequent sitting, standing, walking, reaching and bending

•This position may require occasional pulling, lifting and climbing stairs

•Ability to speak, hear and communicate clearly while handling staff inquiries, telephone calls and customer requests

•Specific vision abilities require close visual acuity for viewing a computer screen and reading, preparing, entering and/or analyzing data

•This position requires repetitive motions of the wrists, hands and fingers for typing at a standard keyboard and regular pinching, picking up and holding pencils and other desk tools

•Must have the ability to lift 30 pounds as needed

Benefits:

•Excellent Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (PPO, low deductible)

•Employer paid Long-Term Disability, AD&D and Life Insurance

•403b retirement savings plan with employer matching at 1 year

•10 days' Vacation Time, 10 days Sick Time

•2 personal days

•11 holidays per year

•Your birthday off!


•Employee Assistance Program

The Seattle Symphony values diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace.
Individuals who bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives are encouraged to apply.
It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunity (EOE) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
In addition, the Seattle Symphony will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.


Salary Description

$95,000-$105,000 annually