Senior Manager, Major Gifts

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Senior Manager, Major Gifts is responsible for setting and executing the strategy for the Sundance Institute's major gifts program. This includes managing a portfolio of approximately 125 current and prospective major gift ($25K+) donors, developing and executing solicitation strategies for major gift donors, and ensuring thoughtful stewardship. A key focus will be on building a strong donor pipeline through proactive identification, cultivation, and engagement of new major gift prospects. The Senior Manager, Major Gifts also provides strategic leadership and direct supervision to a small team of employees to secure significant financial contributions aligned with our mission and values.

Working closely under the Associate Director, Individual Giving, the position will proactively navigate complex relationships to support multiple fundraising campaigns and engage mission and values-aligned donors to support our work through financial contributions and other methods.

This full-time position is based within a commutable distance to Boulder, CO or Los Angeles, CA in order to work onsite in a hybrid capacity throughout the year. Extended hours will be required at key points throughout the year. Travel to other Institute offices and events will also be required during the annual Sundance Film Festival, the annual Catalyst Forum, and other events throughout the year as needed.

Top priorities include but are not limited to…

• Partnering with the Associate Director, Individual Giving to develop and implement major donor strategies, encompassing alumni and artist giving.

• Managing and soliciting a portfolio of top-tier donors ($25K+ annually), including multi-year and seven-figure commitments.

• Developing and executing personalized cultivation and solicitation strategies for each prospect, with the goal of increasing their level of financial support.

• Leading development strategy for the Catalyst Program ($35K+ minimum donor commitment) and overseeing ground operations at the annual Catalyst Forum.

• Partnering with Artist Program teams to engage and solicit major and prospective donors for program-specific gifts.

• Reporting on major gift revenue to identify and present fundraising trends.

• Soliciting renewals and increased contributions from active donors, growing overall donor investment levels.

• Overseeing development operations for the Festival, including coordinating donor check-in, managing concierge services, and scheduling key meetings with contributors.

• Providing regular revenue updates to the Development and Finance teams, including ensuring accuracy in revenue projections in the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database and following up on the status of major gift opportunities.

• Managing and mentoring a small team, including selecting and training employees, providing direction and feedback, and delegating work.

• Representing Sundance Institute and the Development team at Institute events.

You have the following direct or transferable skill sets:

• 5 years of direct fundraising experience, preferably within an arts nonprofit organization.

• Ability to develop and implement innovative fundraising strategies to solicit gifts of $25K+

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

• Ability to initiate and cultivate strong relationships that are beneficial to all parties.

• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to effectively prioritize and manage processes.

• Excellent customer support skills including a proactive approach to address donor needs and concerns.

• Demonstrated experience working with prospect research and customer relationship management databases.

• Legal authorization to work in the United States.

You will be successful in this role if you...

• Strategically advance fundraising initiatives by creating and implementing innovative fundraising strategies that are in sync with the Institute's mission and values, as well as interests of the donors.

• Cultivate and solicit major donors by building and executing personalized engagement plans and solicitation strategies that resonate with individual major donors.

• Maintain consistent donor engagement by actively engaging with major donors on a regular basis through meaningful interactions that advance cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

• Drive philanthropic growth by securing transformational, multi-year commitments from top-tier donors.

• Ensure effective communication and time management by clearly communicating, prioritizing tasks effectively, and consistently meeting deadlines in a timely manner.

In addition to an annual salary of $70,000.00 to $90,000.00*, this position** is eligible for our comprehensive benefits package, highlights include:

• Health, vision, and dental insurance

• 25 paid Institute holidays plus accrued vacation time

• Paid sick, family, and medical leave

• Employee Wellness initiatives

• 401(k) with automatic 3% employer contribution after one year of employment

• Sundance Film Festival passes and benefits (varies each year)

*Final rate of pay is determined based on the applicant's geographic location, relevant experience and skills, and internal equity among similar positions within our organization.

**Applications open 10/20/2026 and will be accepted for at least one week