Major Gifts Officer

Major Gifts Officer

Job Description:

Major Gifts Officers (MGO) report to the Director of Leadership Giving and are responsible for being knowledgeable of all donors, alumni, parents, and friends in a defined geographic region, making sure a defined broad-based group of prospects based on giving or capability are personally covered by the University or its representatives. The Major Gifts Officer will design, develop, and manage a comprehensive program of focused solicitation strategies to persuasively present the priorities and case for university support and successfully close major gifts of five to seven figures.

To achieve our mission as a liberal arts college, we continually strive to foster a welcoming campus community, which recognizes the value of all persons. University Advancement is committed to contributing to an educational environment that is rich with a wide range of intellectual perspectives and backgrounds.

Learn more about what makes Washington and Lee University a great place to work and live at jobs.wlu.edu.

Essential Functions:

• Develops and manages a portfolio of 150-200 potential donors capable of gifts of at least $100,000.
• Travels extensively to visit with donors and highly rated prospects with defined moves management plans for each prospect after an initial visit.
• Participates in donor prospect strategy sessions.
• Successfully solicits and closes five to seven figure gifts.
• Persuasively presents the University's mission and goals.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues, faculty, and senior administration.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree is required.
• Consistently demonstrates strong character and leadership abilities and excellent human relations skills to represent the University effectively with its alumni, parents and other external constituents.
• Must be a passionate, high-energy individual with outstanding skills in management, communication, and team building with a history of success in previous work experience and a desire to work in higher education.
• Two or more years of successful fundraising and/or development experience preferably in a higher education setting. A record of achieving ambitious targets and goals is expected.
• Sophisticated interpersonal skills, the ability to listen effectively, and outstanding written and oral communication skills. Candidates should be organized, able to work collaboratively and strategically, and be a talented motivator of volunteers.

Candidates with the below preferred qualifications may be considered for a Senior Major Gifts Officer title with the corresponding compensation range.

• Five or more years of fundraising experience with demonstrated ability to close six-figure gifts.
• Experience in higher education
• Knowledge of Moves Management principles and donor database systems is a plus.

Application Instructions:

Review of applications will begin on May 11 and continue until the positions are filled. Required materials include:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Names and contact information for three professional references

Application instructions for internal and external candidates can be found at https://www.wlu.edu/employment-opportunities/jobs-at-w-l.

Position Type: Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible

Minimum Pay: $96,398.00 - Pay Commensurate with Experience

Washington and Lee is an Equal Opportunity Employer seeking candidates committed to high standards of scholarship, performance, professionalism, and to a welcoming campus community. Job description requirements are representative, but not all-inclusive of the knowledge, skill, and abilities needed to successfully perform this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.