Senior Membership and Individual Support Manager

Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival•Becket, MA

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Membership and Individual Support Manager is a full-time, year-round role in Jacob’s Pillow’s Philanthropy department. The position drives membership and individual giving strategy, with a particular focus on Members and donors giving $750 to $5,000. The manager oversees a portfolio of approximately 250 donors and prospects and helps increase contributed income from individuals and Members through fundraising campaigns, personalized donor cultivation, stewardship, events, appeals, recognition, and benefits fulfillment. Membership and Individual Support income is expected to exceed $2.5 million in 2026. The manager reports to the Individual Support Director and works closely with philanthropy and marketing colleagues, senior staff, and volunteer leadership. The role includes directing prospect research and wealth tracking, planning appeals and renewals, managing forecasts and reporting, and maintaining donor records. The position also oversees member services and membership communications and collateral. The role is hybrid and requires the employee to live within a three-hour drive of Jacob’s Pillow. Remote work is possible for much of the year, with monthly travel to Becket and/or other locations as needed. In-person work in the Berkshires is required during the summer Festival, June through late August. Nights and weekends are required, with light regional travel that may include New York City and Boston. Summer housing support may be available.

Requirements

At least five years of fundraising experience.
A track record of success envisioning, managing, and sustaining Membership and individual support programs, cultivating donor relationships, and closing gifts.
Passion for dance.
Experience working in nonprofit organizations.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent academic experience.
Proven experience planning and delivering donor events.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong interpersonal skills, genuine interest in people, and authentic curiosity.
Self-motivation and commitment to meeting and exceeding goals.
Strong strategic and tactical thinking and planning skills.
Ability to collaborate on problem-solving with prospects and colleagues and to manage portfolios and time in an organized manner.
Ability to establish and maintain excellent rapport with donors and colleagues.
Ability to work independently and participate actively in team-based strategies.
Sound judgment, diplomacy, confidentiality, and a mature, professional, positive approach.
Competence with standard office computer skills and spreadsheets.
Ability to push, pull, or lift objects weighing 25–50 pounds, alone or with assistance.
Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather and wooded areas, and to stand and sit for extended periods.
Ability to work nights and weekends.
Ability to work in shared office spaces at a stationary desk.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in performing arts organizations and/or dance-focused organizations.
Competency working with CRM systems; Tessitura experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

Design and implement multi-channel fundraising strategies to meet or exceed annual membership and individual support targets, including acquiring, renewing, stewarding, and upgrading donors.
Plan and supervise annual membership appeals and renewal drives with the Marketing Department, and manage acknowledgments, follow-ups, and benefit fulfillment.
Research and track fundraising best practices, analyze results, and recommend approaches for Membership and Individual Giving.
Develop strategies, tactics, and calendars for appeals with Marketing colleagues, aligning plans with ticket sales, community engagement, The School, and other Jacob’s Pillow programs.
Identify audiences, techniques, and messages that support upgrades, make effective use of the membership file, and increase program productivity.
Develop income and expense projections, manage forecasts, and provide regular written reports and commentary to management.
Manage a portfolio of approximately 250 prospects and current donors, maintaining frequent personalized contact.
Qualify, cultivate, and solicit donors in support of Jacob’s Pillow’s individual giving priorities and fundraising goals.
Collaborate with the Donor Relations and Special Events Manager to plan and deliver donor receptions and events.
Oversee and evaluate member services, including membership collateral, acknowledgments, FAQ response language, benefit fulfillment systems and policies, and member customer service.
Uphold Jacob’s Pillow’s goals in inclusion, diversity, equity, and access.
When needed, support senior staff and volunteer leadership in developing prospect relationships.
Prepare briefing materials and post-visit follow-up communications.
Meet budgetary and planning goals for visits, solicitations, events, and gift closing.
Record meetings and essential information promptly in the database and manage prospects and gifts.
Report activity metrics, donor levels, and income in collaboration with philanthropy operations and membership colleagues.
Evaluate the first year of the new Membership program and develop strategies to strengthen its success.
Develop strategies to reduce churn at entry Membership levels and reach new audiences by leveraging Festival announcements in Q1 2027.
Evaluate monthly and yearly Membership communications and develop a solicitation and stewardship communications plan.

Benefits

Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Flexible spending account (FSA)
403(b) retirement plan
2% annual employer contribution
Paid time off
Life insurance
Short- and long-term disability
Employee Assistance Program
Short-term or relocation housing options may be available
Summer housing support may be available when needed
During the summer, three meals a day and free access to classes, performances, talks, and studio usage