Leadership Gifts Officer
Job Description Summary
Reporting to the Senior Managing Director of Annual and Leadership Giving, the Leadership Gifts Officer (LGO) plays a significant role in securing philanthropic support for Bentley University’s strategic priorities. The LGO qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards individuals with the capacity to make annual gifts of $2,500 or more, as well as multiyear commitments.
The successful LGO will build strong relationships with individuals in their portfolio and develop and execute strategic solicitation plans. This role uses data to evaluate and prioritize a portfolio of 125–150 individuals. Collaboration is highly valued across the university, particularly with University Advancement colleagues and frontline partners in Alumni & Family Engagement, Donor Relations, and Prospect Research.
Essential Duties
- Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and close annual commitments of $2,500+ and multiyear pledges of $10,000+ while helping build a future major gift pipeline.
- Meet or exceed annual goals for gift revenue, meetings, qualification, solicitation, and other key performance indicators.
- Maximize productivity through portfolio management strategies supported by prospect research, data analytics, AI, and other technology tools.
- Maintain timely and accurate database records, including contact reports, demographic updates, and moves management activity.
- Prepare donor correspondence, gift documentation, briefing materials, and related documents.
- Partner with frontline teams, including Major Giving, Annual Giving, Gift Planning, and Corporate and Foundation Relations, to create comprehensive solicitation strategies that advance shared goals.
- Collaborate with the Office of Alumni & Family Engagement and the Pulsifer Career Development Center to maximize resources and create opportunities to engage prospects and donors through events and related activities.
- Steward donors in collaboration with the Donor Relations team.
- Develop and articulate a strong knowledge of Bentley University’s culture, fundraising priorities, mission, and strategic positioning, as well as its academic, co-curricular, and athletic programs, faculty, students, and administration.
- Understand and meet departmental standards, policies, and procedures with respect to all aspects of the position.
Other Duties
- Participate in and organize, as appropriate, the planning of targeted cultivation events locally and out of state.
- Attend and staff events which may require travel, evening, and weekend responsibilities.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 3 years of frontline fundraising, sales, account management, or related experience, preferably within higher education.
- A positive, collaborative, and proactive professional who is results-oriented, enthusiastic, and comfortable making direct person-to-person solicitations.
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
- Experience using CRM donor databases and intermediate proficiency with Microsoft 365.
- Ability to organize and complete multiple tasks simultaneously with close attention to detail and prioritization to meet deadlines.
- Demonstration of a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in a value-driven organization.
- Ability to interact professionally and maintain confidentiality.
- Must hold and maintain a valid, unrestricted US driver’s license, with an insurable driving history as determined by Bentley’s insurance carrier.
Work Environment
This role offers a flexible work arrangement, combining in-person attendance with remote work. On-site presence is required based on business needs, team collaboration, or scheduled meetings. Scheduling specifics will be determined in conjunction with the manager. As with any flexible arrangement, this arrangement is subject to change based on business needs.
The LGO must be able to travel by car, plane, and public transportation, as the position requires 10–20% day and overnight travel.
Some weekend and evening duties are required.
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