Position: Senior Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving Reports to: Vice President of Development Location: Downtown Charleston, SC Hours: Full-Time/ Exempt Organization BackgroundThe Charleston Gaillard Center is an 1,800-seat performance hall located in Charleston, South Carolina. The facility also contains 16,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space, along with office and public spaces. The Charleston Gaillard Center is a non-profit 501c3 organization responsible for managing the facility. The Charleston Gaillard Center's mission is to provide the Lowcountry with a world-class performance hall, elegant venue space, and vibrant educational opportunities inspiring our dynamic community through the power of the performing arts. We seek to enrich the diverse community of Charleston with artistic and cultural experiences that are accessible and unique, and to serve as an education resource for generations to come. For more information about the Charleston Gaillard Center, please visit http://www.gaillardcenter.org. Position SummaryThe Senior Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving, is a key leader at the Gaillard Center, overseeing a comprehensive portfolio of individual giving programs—including annual giving, major giving, and planned giving—responsible for raising $2M annually over the next few years. Reporting to the Vice President for Development, the Senior Director provides strategic leadership to advance the Gaillard Center’s mission, secure major and principal-level gifts, deepen donor engagement, and align donor-focused communications across programs. The Senior Director will manage a personal portfolio of donors focusing on securing 5- and 6-figure gifts. This position requires a dynamic leader energized by change management who can inspire teams, strengthen infrastructure, and drive sustainable growth and accountability. The Senior Director leads and mentors development staff, fostering professional growth, operational excellence, and a culture of high performance. As the Gaillard Center’s fundraising enterprise expands, the role will evolve to include additional team members and direct reports, laying the groundwork for a future comprehensive campaign. This is a unique opportunity for an accomplished development professional to shape the Gaillard Center’s philanthropic strategy, grow meaningful donor relationships, and make a lasting impact on one of the region’s premier arts institutions. Responsibilities- Develop, execute, and continuously strengthen a comprehensive individual giving program focused on gifts up to $500,000, generating up to $2 million in annual revenue over the next few years.
- In partnership with development operations, design and implement effective systems, processes, and prospect management practices to support sustained fundraising growth.
- Manage and steward a portfolio of 50–75 major gift prospects with capacity between the 5- and 6-figure range, while coordinating the seamless transition of principal and transformational level gift prospects to the Vice President of Development.
- Supervise and mentor development staff, including subdirectors and potentially annual giving or specialized donor-facing roles as the team evolves.
- Maintain deep knowledge of fundraising strategies, financial planning considerations, and planned giving vehicles, including charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, life insurance, beneficiary designations, and bequests.
- Partner with donors and their legal and financial advisors to structure, secure, and document current and planned gifts, including complex assets such as real estate, tangible property, and closely held stock.
- Support the development of marketing, recognition, and stewardship strategies for planned giving donors.
- Serve as a strategic thought partner in overall fundraising planning, providing regular pipeline, proposal, and progress reporting utilizing data and metrics to guide decision-making.
- Help lead a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement during a period of organizational growth and transition.
- Participate in hiring, onboarding, and professional development efforts, including coaching and performance feedback to support team success.
Qualifications- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or professional certification preferred.
- 10+ years of frontline fundraising experience, with a proven record of securing major ($25,000+) and planned gifts.
- 5+ years of supervisory experience leading and developing high-performing fundraising teams and director-level staff.
- Strong strategic planning, project management, and analytical skills to drive results and optimize fundraising performance.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to convey complex ideas persuasively.
- Proven relationship-building and donor stewardship skills, with experience using CRM systems to manage portfolios and track activity.
Skills and Knowledge Required- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication, including persuasive presentations and donor engagement.
- Strong strategic thinking, organizational, and analytical skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable fundraising strategies.
- Experience in major gifts, planned giving, annual giving, and comprehensive campaigns preferred.
- Proven relationship-building skills, with the ability to motivate prospects and steward donors effectively.
- Knowledge of multi-channel fundraising and marketing strategies, including social media, digital, phone, and direct mail campaigns.
- Proficiency with CRM systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Spektrix) and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- Self-starter who works independently and collaboratively, handles confidential information with discretion, and can work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
Pre-Employment Requirements- Must submit to a criminal background check.
- Applicant must be eligible to work in the U.S.
Physical Requirements- Ability to sit for extended periods
- Ability to stand for prolonged periods at events
- Climbing stairs
- Stooping, kneeling, bending grasping, reaching, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling
- Moderate physical effort
- Ability to lift or move up to 50 pounds
- Ability to hear and understand over the telephone
- Working Conditions
- May receive requests with simultaneous deadlines
- Open office environment
Other- Reliable transportation
- Regular and predictable attendance
- Dress appropriately for work demands
- Maintain standards for personal grooming and hygiene
Pay and BenefitsPay is commensurate with experience. Please state your wage requirements in your cover letter. The Charleston Gaillard Center provides a competitive benefit package that includes: - Fully paid medical, vision, and dental insurance at the employee level
- Optional life and disability insurance
- 4 weeks of paid time off
- 403(b) with a company match
- Free and/or discounted tickets to performances
- Employer paid parking
COVER LETTER REQUIRED NO PHONE CALLS The Charleston Gaillard Center is an equal opportunity employer. Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Gaillard is critical to our mission. To be a leading performing arts center in the Southeast, we need to have a highly diverse staff, a workplace where individuals are encouraged to retain their uniqueness and can feel a sense of belonging. For us, equity means that our staff members, our patrons, and our clients can experience the transformative power of the arts, no matter their starting place.
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