Major Gift Director - Higher Ed. jobs in Akron, OH

Job Description:

Location: Wooster, OH Category: Staff Posted On: Fri Jan 5 2024 Job Description:

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Development, the Major Gifts Officer is a senior development officer assigned to high level prospective donors to The College of Wooster. This position’s primary focus is identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding high-level prospective donors who have the capacity to make major and transformative gifts to the College. The individual will serve as a visible frontline fundraiser and manage a portfolio of 100-125 individuals who have the capacity to give $50,000 or more. This position develops strategy as well as conducts the planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of initiatives for the individuals assigned. The Major Gifts Officer will work closely with the Vice President for Advancement, the Associate Vice President for Development, the President, Provost, Vice Presidents, the Deans and other key academic leaders to set short and long-term donor-centric strategies and develop initiatives to advance each potential donor’s meaningful connection to the College to set the stage for solicitations that match college priorities.

ESSENTIAL DEPARTMENTAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Travel bi-weekly to identify, qualify, cultivate and solicit outright and deferred major gifts.
• Prepare written proposals, informational materials, gift illustrations, and other materials to secure major gifts. Coordinate the participation of administrators, academic leaders, volunteers, and development staff in major gift fundraising activities.
• Provide stewardship to assigned major donor prospects by working with the Stewardship team to prepare endowment agreements, special reports to donors on the use of their funds, and recognition activities.
• Develop and manage a budget for outreach, travel and cultivation activities in assigned region.
• Work with annual giving staff to ensure a pipeline between annual giving donors and major donors, passing on suggestions to other staff and taking on assignments of donors at their suggestion.
• Coordinate donor visits and events with college representatives, including the President, and faculty and students when appropriate. Facilitate and participate in donor visits with College representatives. Prepare donor briefings and cultivation strategies.
• Attend all, major on-campus alumni events; participate in regional events, often in partnership with other campus staff, including the Alumni & Family Engagement, designed to engage donors and prospective donors in the College.
• Maintain professional connections in and knowledge of the field through conference attendance and college visits.

Job Requirements:

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree required and a minimum of 3-5 years major gift or related experience. Experience in higher education development or non-profit setting preferred. Must have a demonstrated record of fund-raising success.

Additional Information:

The College of Wooster does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex/gender, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, political affiliation, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, disability, age, marital status, family responsibilities, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy, or by state, local, or federal law. All offers of employment are subject to verification of the legal right to work in the United States as required by federal law. The College of Wooster is committed by policy and practice to diversity, equity and inclusion.