Major Gifts Officer Pro Bono Posting for Celebrity Series of Boston

The Celebrity Series of Boston is the region’s leading presenter of the world’s finest music, dance, and family entertainment. Over its 78 year history, the Series has introduced Boston audiences to some of the greatest performing artists of our time, including Sergei Rachmaninoff, Martha Graham and Company, Marian Anderson, the Bolshoi Ballet, Dizzy Gillespie, Luciano Pavarotti, Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman. Today, the Series pursues the following mission: to present world-class performing artists who inspire and enrich our community. We believe in the power of excellence and innovation in the performing arts to enrich life experience, transform lives, and build better communities. We envision a community of Greater Boston where the performing arts are a valued, lifelong, shared experience – on stages, in schools, in homes – everywhere.

The Major Gift Officer reports to the Director of Development and is responsible for, but not limited to the following functions:

  • Identifying, cultivating and soliciting major gifts
  • Develop and manage a major gift prospect portfolio with a goal of carrying 75 major gifts prospects in an active solicitation cycle
  • Oversee all aspects of the major gift prospects relationship and timely movement through the solicitation cycle in coordination with other team members as appropriate
  • Monitor all prospect contacts to ensure positive and purposeful communications
  • Lead and/or attend donor cultivation and solicitation meetings
  • Plan and execute campaign cultivation events
  • Work collaboratively and strategically with Celebrity Series staff and Board members
  • Participate in and contribute substantively to organizational strategy and planning sessions
  • Maintain donor records and timely reporting in the database
Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 5 years of related development experience
  • Proven record of success in fundraising, particularly in major gift solicitation
  • Highly organized, self-motivated with strong written and verbal skills
  • Ability to work on multiple fronts and meet frequent deadlines
  • Creative and strategic thinker with an ability to manage and present relevant financial information
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
  • Proficiency with Tessitura software is a plus
  • Some night and weekend work is required

To apply:
Please send a resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in this position to Celebrity Series of Boston, Inc., 20 Park Plaza, Suite 1032, Boston, MA 02116 or by email to csobdevelopment@gmail.com.

Lights…Cameras…Your LinkedIn Profile Picture!

In the acting world, headshots are a must for actors and actresses, whether they are just starting out or have reached “celebrity” status.  Headshots are their calling cards.

Treat your LinkedIn profile picture as if you were in Los Angeles or New York chasing a big acting job and as if that picture were your calling card. It is often the first impression that you will make on potential clients, employers, and vendors.  Make sure that the impression you leave is a positive one.  Plus, you may not be actively looking for a new job, but you never know when a hiring manager or executive recruiter will be looking around on LinkedIn and come across your profile.

I recently updated my own profile picture, and in the process did my research asked some friends who are photographers and in the image business to give their suggestions for a great headshot.  Here are some tips for a winning profile picture:

  • Hire a professional, or ask a friend who takes good pictures to help out
  • Thou shalt not take a selfie.  Deb Liljegren, NYC-based photographer, tells me that your outstretched arms may not be visible, but you are not fooling anyone.  Selfie sticks do not help, either. There is a clear difference between a DIY picture and one taken by someone else
  • Susan Tran, a photographer in Boston who did my recent photo, suggests that people smile big but not TOO big.  According to her, too big a smile can look forced.  Think of someone who makes you happy so that you capture your most natural smile
  • Boston photographer Stephanie Olsen says to BREATHE! Stephanie points out that everyone holds their breath when being photographed. This makes their shoulders rise up a bit and does not let their true smile come through. Stephanie guides people by telling them to exhale a smile. This also make them a laugh a bit and the smiles that follow are the most natural.
  • Wear professional attire suitable to your industry.  Dark colors work well so long as you do not have a dark background, in which case you would want lighter attire.  Contrast will make the picture “pop”.  Avoid prints, which can be too busy and could blend into the background
  • According to Brad Duncan, Boston’s top skincare guru, you should exfoliate your face a few days prior to the photo and drink tons of water in the days leading up to the photo being taken.  This will help skin look smoother and more even in the photo
  • If you wear makeup, go for a lighter hand for a soft effect.  Pretend you are going for that soft, fuzzy, super-forgiving Barbara Walters interview lighting
  • Speaking of lighting, Deb Liljegren also suggests shooting outside or near a window with filtered lighting

 

Remember, LinkedIn is a professional networking site and your photo should reflect that and portray your best you.