Lenoir-Rhyne College
Position Description

Position Title:  Major Gifts Officer                          Department:  Advancement
Wage Class:  Salaried                                               Reports to:  Executive Director of Development

General Description/Primary Purpose

The Major Gifts Officer secures gift revenue in support of the priority fund-raising objectives of the College as directed by the President and the Board of Trustees or outlined in its case statement for a proposed major gifts effort/campaign; is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and solicitation of individuals with current or future capability of leadership gifts to the college; and maintains a portfolio which includes leadership annual gifts.

This position is responsible for generating major gifts and ensuring effective and appropriate stewardship.  The Major Gifts Officer may serve as campaign project director for specific major gift efforts and/or as an integral part of a team approach to a comprehensive campaign.  The Major Gifts Officer serves as a member of the department’s moves management team; and assists in leading the major gifts activity to achieve the goals of a campaign.

A major gift is defined as any gift whether it be for endowment, capital or annual fund of $10,000 or more.  It is also understood that the Major Gifts Officer is trained as a “Generalist” and can assist a constituent in a multitude of tasks included below.

Description of Duties and Tasks:

-          A minimum of 220 in-person contacts, 50 solicitations and at least 24 days travel per year is expected

-          Involvement in area screening and rating sessions to identify major gift potential for a proposed campaign/major gifts effort;

-          Provide leadership and direction for a portfolio of 100+ major gift donors and prospects. Meet with donors, prospects, and volunteers, travel as necessary (see above);

-          Manages ongoing relationships and tracking of portfolio, ensures effective and appropriate stewardship; tracking of portfolio with RE7 software; inputting calls and all relevant donor information.

-          Works in concert with the major gifts team to coordinate prospect identification, assignments, strategies and coordination of activity; participates in annual and semi-annual prospect review sessions with moves management team to carry out these objectives;

-          Coordinates involvement of appropriate staff, faculty and friends of the college in planning and making the asks;

-          Assists with coordination of the major gifts society, the Founders Society, including coordination of the annual recognition event, program booklet, orientation with new members ;

-          Enlist and train volunteers and develop volunteer leadership networks in areas to promote the priority fund-raising objectives of the College;

-          Assists in planning and implementing of special events in support of capital efforts; groundbreakings, dedications, etc.;

-          Identify and participate in special events recognition and stewardship programs.  Write acknowledgment letters as needed to manage prospects;

-          Serve as staff support with volunteer boards as appropriate – Board of Trustees and its Promotion and Development Committee, Board of Visitors, Business Council, Planned Giving Council, Campaign Committees, etc.

Description of Duties and Tasks cont.:

-          Manage multiple gift grids in Microsoft Excel tracking gifts for a campaign, process charts for moves management, percent to goal, and campaign goal analysis;

-          Any duties as requested by the VP Advancement or the Executive Director of Development

-          Use the moves management model

-          Have a basic understanding of Planned Giving and Endowment/Scholarship in order to assist as needed.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to travel extensively, sit in lengthy meetings, sit at computer

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Bachelor’s degree (advanced degree preferred) and minimum of three years experience in all phases of development work (preference with a private, liberal arts institution and a successful campaign) or the equivalent work experience that affords the following skill set; excellent listening, interpersonal and communication skills; leadership, community presence and professional organization involvement; outstanding organizational skills; detail oriented, results-driven; flexibility in work hours; ability to develop relationships with a variety of personalities; produce effective and timely results.  The candidate must have a passion for Lenoir-Rhyne College and higher education.

                                                                                                                                    February 2008

 ©2008  Lenoir-Rhyne College.