Director of Major Gifts - Duke Club

James Madison University•Harrisonburg, VA

9d•$65,000 - $68,000•Onsite

About The Position

James Madison University, a Division I member of the NCAA and Sun Belt Conference, the Duke Club is seeking a Director of Major Gifts to work within a highly competitive program. This is a full-time position with a comprehensive benefits package.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
2+ years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, development, advancement, or a related field, preferably within higher education, athletics, healthcare, or another complex nonprofit organization.
Demonstrated success identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects and donors, including experience securing gifts of $50,000 or more.
Proven ability to manage a portfolio of high-capacity prospects and donors and develop individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies.
Demonstrated success meeting or exceeding annual fundraising and major gift revenue goals.
Experience developing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies, including face-to-face solicitations, proposals, donor visits, stewardship, and moves management.
Strong understanding of prospect research, wealth screening, portfolio management, and donor analytics.
Experience working collaboratively with senior institutional leaders, coaches, administrators, volunteers, and other development professionals to advance philanthropic priorities.
Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate a compelling case for support to a wide range of audiences.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain long-term relationships with donors, alumni, parents, and other constituents.
Experience using a CRM/database system such as Salesforce, Paciolian or similar fundraising technology.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and operate effectively in a fast-paced, goal-oriented environment.
Strong strategic thinking, organizational skills, attention to detail, and demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Willingness and ability to travel regularly, work evenings and weekends, and participate in donor and institutional events as needed.
Commitment to the mission, values, and goals of the institution and a demonstrated understanding of the role philanthropy plays in advancing student success and institutional excellence.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred

Responsibilities

Responsible for athletic fundraising across Major Gifts, the Annual Fund, Capital Campaigns/Stadium expansion project, and Endowments while contributing to the department's overall strategic revenue initiatives.
Play a lead role in developing comprehensive fundraising and revenue strategies, identifying philanthropic opportunities that align with institutional priorities, and providing expertise in structuring complex gift proposals.
Assist with development of a major giving society.
Collaborate with the Associate AD for Development and other key stakeholders to execute solicitation strategies and, as appropriate, personally lead major gift solicitations.
Cultivate, solicit, and close current and deferred gift commitments of $50,000 or more within timelines that best support the interests of each prospect and the fundraising objectives of JMU Athletics.
Develop and actively manage a portfolio of approximately 75 major gift prospects and donors with the capacity to make current and/or planned gifts of $50,000 or more, while advancing strategic revenue priorities through philanthropic partnerships, premium seating opportunities, naming opportunities, and other revenue-generating initiatives.
Responsible for managing a portfolio of assigned major gift prospects by developing and executing intentional, comprehensive cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
In collaboration with the Associate AD for Development, create individualized engagement plans that leverage the full breadth of James Madison University's resources to build meaningful relationships, align donor interests with institutional priorities, and inspire transformational philanthropic investment.
Partner with leadership across Philanthropy and Engagement, senior academic and administrative leaders, colleagues throughout the university, and key volunteers to deliver a coordinated, donor-centered experience that strengthens long-term engagement and advances the university's philanthropic priorities.
Prioritize top-75 Duke Club MG prospects and maintain on-going strategies with each; Partnering with offices within and external to Athletics and University Advancement to identify individuals with the capacity to give $50K+, seeing that steps are taken to qualify a MG prospect for JMU, and that determining which donors and prospects should constitute the MG Prospect Pool.
Work in collaboration with the Associate AD for Development, develops and implements strategies for leadership annual and major gift fundraising to generate private contributions supporting the top priorities of JMU Athletics, including student-athlete support, unrestricted needs and capital projects.
Make direct, face-to-face solicitations, and assist staff with their qualifying, cultivating, solicitation and stewarding (e.g. provide portfolio development support, help with donor communications).
Ability to work cross-functionally with various internal and external constituents.
Ability to organize and complete multiple tasks simultaneously with close attention to detail and prioritization to meet deadlines.
Partners with the Director of Internal Operations and Events to develop and execute stewardship strategies for leadership annual fund and major gift donors.
Supports the planning and implementation of comprehensive donor relations initiatives designed to cultivate long-term donor loyalty through recognition societies, engagement opportunities, and meaningful stewardship.
Ensures timely and appropriate donor recognition while demonstrating accountability, gratitude, and responsiveness to all donor constituencies, including individuals, corporations, foundations, planned giving donors, alumni, parents, and friends.