Leadership Annual Giving Officer

Wingate Companies•Wingate Campus, NC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Wingate University is seeking a dynamic, relationship-driven fundraising professional to join its Advancement Team as a Leadership Annual Giving Officer (LAGO). This front-line fundraising position is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of 200 or more leadership annual giving prospects capable of making gifts in the $1,000–$10,000 range through the University’s annual giving program. The LAGO serves as a bridge between the annual fund and major gifts pipelines, engaging donors whose capacity and affinity position them for deeper investment in Wingate’s mission. With a minimum expectation of 200 face-to-face visits annually, this officer will travel regionally to build authentic, lasting relationships that result in increased donor retention, upgrade, and pipeline development. The Leadership Annual Giving Officer reports directly to the Assistant Vice President for Development and works in close collaboration with the broader Advancement team, including annual giving, major gifts, alumni engagement, and advancement services.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Minimum of two (2) to three (3) years of experience in frontline fundraising, donor relations, advancement, sales, or a related field with demonstrated success in relationship management and goal attainment.
Demonstrated ability to engage, inspire, and solicit gifts from a diverse group of donors and prospects.
Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills with the ability to represent Wingate University with professionalism and authenticity.
Proven ability to manage a high volume of activity — including 200 or more face-to-face visits annually — with strong organizational skills and personal accountability.
Ability and willingness to travel regionally on a frequent basis, including occasional evenings and weekends for donor events.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience working with a CRM or prospect management database (experience with Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, or similar platform preferred).
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.

Nice To Haves

Experience in higher education fundraising or alumni engagement.
Familiarity with annual giving principles, donor upgrade and retention strategies, and moves management.
Demonstrated ability to build and navigate complex institutional relationships across advancement, academic, and athletics contexts.
Passion for the mission of private higher education and an affinity for Wingate University.
Experience with planned giving awareness, leadership giving societies, or recognition programs.

Responsibilities

Manage an active, assigned portfolio of 200 or more leadership annual giving prospects and donors, with a primary focus on those capable of making gifts of $1,000 or more.
Conduct a minimum of 200 meaningful, face-to-face visits annually with prospects and donors, including discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship meetings.
Develop and execute individualized engagement strategies for each portfolio constituent, moving donors through a structured donor pipeline aligned with institutional priorities.
Solicit leadership annual gifts through personal visits, proposals, and strategic asks, meeting or exceeding established annual revenue goals and visit metrics.
Partner with the Assistant Vice President for Development on portfolio reviews, strategy sessions, and pipeline development on a regular basis.
Proactively identify, qualify, and engage new prospects through discovery visits, referrals, screening initiatives, and alumni events.
Collaborate with the major gifts team to transfer high-capacity donors into the major gifts pipeline, ensuring smooth and relationship-centered handoffs.
Participate in prospect management processes including Moves Management, portfolio review meetings, and regular reporting through the University’s CRM.
Design and implement meaningful stewardship touchpoints for portfolio donors, reinforcing the impact of their gifts and deepening their connection to Wingate.
Represent Wingate University at alumni events, athletic events, regional gatherings, and campus programs as an ambassador for the Division of University Advancement.
Collaborate with the alumni engagement and annual giving teams to convert annual fund donors into leadership annual giving donors and long-term major gift prospects.
Maintain accurate, timely, and detailed contact reports, donor strategies, and gift documentation in the University’s constituent relationship management (CRM) system.
Provide regular progress reports to the AVP for Development on portfolio metrics, visit activity, pipeline status, and gift revenue.
Adhere to institutional gift acceptance policies, confidentiality standards, and CASE/AFP ethical fundraising guidelines in all aspects of the role.
Assist in the development of case statements, gift proposals, and other fundraising materials as needed.