Major Gifts Development Officer

POSITION TITLE:                          Major Gifts Development Officer

DEPARTMENT:                              Office of Advancement 

SUPERVISOR:                               Executive Director for Advancement                   

GENERAL JOB FUNCTION

As part of a team of experienced fundraisers, the Major Gifts Development Officer assists with the identification, cultivation, solicitation and closing of gifts from assigned prospects. He/she is responsible for designing, planning and implementing cultivation and solicitation plans that will expand the University’s prospect base and build the donor pipeline for gifts in support of the institution’s priorities.  

STANDARD EXPECTATIONS

1. Possess the understanding of and commitment to the University Mission.

2. Represent the University in an appropriate, professional and positive manner.

3. Maintain confidentiality of information.

4. Actively participate in educational conferences, seminars and other learning opportunities. 

5. Compose, draft and prepare correspondence, briefings, written proposals, and presentation materials as needed.

6. Travel locally, regionally and nationally as well as the ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.

7. Participate in and complete a Performance Management Process, following the guidelines set forth by the University.

8. Complete other tasks as assigned.

JOB-SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS

1. Collaborate with senior administrators, the Advancement team, members of the Board of Trust, and volunteers in researching, identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and closing gift prospects.

2. Facilitate development activities of the President, Vice President for Advancement, Deans, and volunteers.

3. Aggressively manage a Major Gift prospect list of 100 individuals and close gifts of $25,000 or more.

4. Cultivate list of prospects from wealth and peer screenings as well as current donor database by phone, written or electronic communication, and personal visits.

5. Schedule prospect and donor appointments, making contacts, and arranging meetings and campus visits with an expectation of 180 personal visits per year with a target goal of 15 face-to-face visits per month.

6. Ensure the integrity of donor relationships by logging meeting notes, touchpoints, proposals, and biographical updates in Advancement database.

7. Meet or exceed annual performance goals set by the Vice President for Advancement.

DECISION MAKING AND MANAGEMENT

Perform duties and responsibilities with limited supervision.  Ability to work independently, solve problems, handle confidential information, and navigate sensitive situations.  Make decisions and establish work priorities on essential operations.

EDUCATION

Required: Bachelor’s Degree 

EXPERIENCE

A minimum of 3 years of fundraising experience, preferably in higher education, or the equivalent in marketing, public relations, sales or similar positions. 

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

1. Excellent oral, presentation and written communication skills.

2. Advanced computer proficiency and experience in working with relational databases.

3. Ability to multitask effectively and efficiently.

4. Superior organizational, analytical and planning skills are essential.

5. Excellent people and time management skills.

6. Highly motivated, goal-oriented self-starter who is comfortable with both qualitative and quantitative evaluation.