Major Gifts Senior Manager

Department: DevelopmentReports To: Chief Development OfficerLocation: New York, NY (Hybrid)FLSA Status: ExemptSalary Range: $122,000 - $146,000About The ApolloFor over 90 years, The Apollo has been far more than a stage. It has served as a global center of innovation and a creative catalyst for Harlem, New York City, and the world. As the “soul of American culture,” we have done more than discover artists like Ella Fitzgerald and James Brown; we have launched movements that define American identity.Today we stand on the threshold of our most ambitious chapter yet. In 2025, we broke ground on a transformational renovation of our Historic Theater focused on preservation and modernization. When we celebrate our grand reopening in Fall 2026, The Apollo will operate as a complete cultural campus for the first time in its history. This expansion—encompassing six distinct venues, immersive performance spaces, and a modernized public lobby—redefines our scale and impact as we approach our centennial.The Apollo is a vibrant nonprofit rooted in the Harlem community that engages audiences from New York, the nation, and the world. Since 1934, The Apollo has celebrated, created, and presented work that centers Black artists and voices from across the African Diaspora. Today, it is the largest performing arts institution committed to Black culture and creativity.Our Core Values: Stewardship, Ownership, Interdependence, Creativity, and ExcellenceThe OpportunityPosition SummaryThe Major Gifts Senior Manager plays a critical role in advancing The Apollo’s philanthropic goals, with a primary focus on securing leadership support for the $100 million Apollo Rising 2.0 Campaign and annual operating priorities.This frontline fundraiser manages a dynamic portfolio of prospects and donors capable of making gifts between $10,000 and $500,000+. The role is responsible for cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding gifts while partnering closely with senior leadership, trustees, and colleagues across the Development team.The successful candidate will be a strategic relationship builder who thrives in a metrics-driven fundraising environment and is energized by helping shape a once-in-a-generation chapter in The Apollo’s history.Key ResponsibilitiesPortfolio Management & FundraisingManage and grow an assigned portfolio of major gift prospects and donors with capacity to give $10,000 to $500,000+Serve as lead fundraiser for the Legends Circle, a major gift patron’s groupDevelop and execute customized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for each assigned prospectSecure new, renewed, and increased major gifts in support of campaign and annual prioritiesPrepare proposals, briefing materials, donor correspondence, and gift agreementsMaintain accurate and timely moves management activity in CRM systemsDonor Engagement & Pipeline DevelopmentConduct in-person, virtual, and event-based donor meetings to deepen relationships and move prospects through the pipelineIdentify new prospects through research, referrals, events, and internal collaborationBuild a healthy pipeline across discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship stagesEnsure timely follow-up and next steps after every donor interactionLeadership & CollaborationPartner with the Chief Development Officer, President & CEO, and board leadership on high-level donor strategiesSupport fundraising efforts tied to executive and trustee relationshipsCollaborate with membership, annual funds, campaign, finance, and operations colleagues to align donor strategiesSupport signature fundraising events and campaign milestones as neededStewardshipEnsure exceptional donor stewardship including impact reporting, naming recognition opportunities, acknowledgements, and personalized communicationsPartner with finance and operations teams to ensure proper gift processing, pledge tracking, and reportingPerformance MetricsThe Major Gifts Senior Manager will be evaluated on a combination of activity, pipeline health, and revenue outcomes. Annual goals may include:Donor Visits & ActivityComplete qualified donor visits or meaningful moves per month (150+ annually)Maintain consistent follow-up and documented next steps for all substantive interactionsPipeline DevelopmentAdd 20–30 new qualified prospects annually to the portfolioMaintain an active portfolio of approximately 50–75 qualified prospectsEnsure balanced movement across all pipeline stagesGifts ClosedAchieve annual individual fundraising revenue goals established with leadershipClose a targeted number of 5- and 6-figure gifts annuallyIncrease renewals and upgrades from existing donorsData & Stewardship Excellence100% timely CRM entry for visits, proposals, and next stepsTimely stewardship for all assigned donorsQualifications & ExperienceBachelor’s degree required3 or more years of major gifts experience or 5 or more years of demonstrated fundraising solicitation successProven success in securing gifts from individuals and/or corporationsStrong verbal, written, and presentation skillsExcellent organizational skills and attention to detailDemonstrated commitment to The Apollo’s mission and fundraising prioritiesHighly collaborative team player with strong initiativeAbility to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environmentProficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and donor CRM systemsPreferredExperience in arts, culture, education, or mission-driven organizationsExperience working with campaign fundraising initiativesFamiliarity with donor recognition and naming opportunitiesWillingness to work evenings and weekends for donor engagement and eventsCompensation & BenefitsPerformance-based incentives and professional development opportunitiesComprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, and holidaysPowered by JazzHRpcIZW7IzIM