Major Gifts Officer

Job no: 524998
Position Type: Staff Full Time
Campus: UMass Boston
Department: VC-University Advancement
Pay Grade: 34
Date opened: 16 Sep 2024 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 25 Oct 2024 Eastern Daylight Time

General Summary:

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Principal & Leadership Gifts and Director of Comprehensive Campaign, the Major Gifts Officer is primarily responsible for developing, managing, implementing, and overseeing strategies for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of approximately 100-125 prospective leadership gift donors. The Major Gifts Officer will create individualized solicitation plans leading to major outright and deferred gifts of $25,000+, integrating unrestricted and restricted gifts, endowment, annual, and capital gifts in support of University fundraising priorities. Responsibilities will most significantly include the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of new prospects for the University.

The Major Gifts Officer will serve as a fundraiser for university-wide targeted initiatives and will work closely with colleagues in University Advancement, Deans, faculty, and senior administrators in developing and implementing key fundraising strategies and activities.

Examples of Duties:

• Research, identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward special and leadership gifts from a managed portfolio of 100-125 prospects and donors with capacity to make gifts of $25,000 and more. Face-to-face solicitations are required.
• Advance individual relationships that result in philanthropic contributions.
• Visit 10-12+ donors/prospects monthly along with significant phone, text, and email outreach.
• Gather data, assess prospects, and develop strategies designed to realize the current and lifetime giving potential of individual prospects.
• Ensure consistent and appropriate contact, facilitate or make solicitations, and ensure effective stewardship.
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the priorities of the University and make a persuasive verbal and written case for supporting key programs and projects, effectively matching the interests of prospects to specific University needs.
• Articulate the mission of UMass Boston, its programs, and activities in a succinct and compelling manner.
• Develop material used by Deans, Directors, Vice Chancellors, the Provost, and the Chancellor for meetings, visits, or individual contacts.
• Coordinate specialized appeals targeted at constituent groups associated with a particular discipline, program, or initiative.
• Collaborate with senior administrators, deans, faculty, and volunteers to develop ideas that translate the University’s fundraising priorities into gift proposals and to advance major gift prospects.
• Participate in the planning and execution of special events.
• Submit timely contact reports for each visit with detailed briefing papers.
• Work with planned giving to identify prospects for bequests and other planned gifts to the University.
• Gather, record, and properly store information about prospects and donors utilizing the University’s donor and alumni tracking database and use Gravyty for identifying new prospects.
• Work with the Associate Vice Chancellor, Deans, Directors, faculty, and staff throughout the university to develop funding opportunities, engage in relationship-building activities of many kinds with faculty, volunteers, and prospects; and provide general direction for support of university-wide targeted initiatives.
• Plan and implement focused cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for specific gift opportunities.
• Work with assigned schools & colleges.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s preferred and five-plus years of direct and successful development experience in fundraising, which includes a minimum of three (3) years of special/leadership gift experience, preferably in higher education, with a record of closing major gifts is required. Experience in fundraising at a complex University is preferred. Strong interpersonal skills are required, both written and oral, as well as a high level of sophistication and maturity in social and professional settings. Incumbent must be able to travel locally and nationally to meet with donors and prospective donors to raise money on behalf of the University. Ability to work various hours including nights and/or weekends.

• Discretion and an ability to interact with high-level donors and the ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Proven track record of successful solicitation and securing major and high-end annual gifts.
• Ability to be an effective advocate for the University.
• Ability to be proactive.
• Knowledge and proficiency with various planned giving vehicles is preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a team environment; strong oral, written communication, and interpersonal skills.

D. Supervision Received:

This position reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Principal & Leadership Gifts and Director of Comprehensive Campaign.

E. Supervision Exercised:

Number of non-student employees directly supervised: 0

Number of non-student employees indirectly supervised: 0

Average number of student employees supervised at any given time: 0

Application Instructions:

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter, and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date.

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.