Major Gift Officer

Assumption University • Worcester, MA

9m • Hybrid

About The Position

Now entering the fourth year of “Thrive,” the institution seeks a dynamic and experienced advancement professional with superb interpersonal, strategic, and operational skills and abilities to fill the key position of Major Giving Officer. The Major Giving Officer (MGO) works to build and enhance relationships with alumni, parents, and friends capable of making a gift of $50,000 or more. The MGO is responsible for qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting prospects and stewarding donors. She/he will work with prospective donors to determine their philanthropic interests and how those interests align with the strategic needs of the University. The successful candidate will have a positive, can-do attitude and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. She/he needs to be able to juggle a wide variety of tasks and projects simultaneously, make decisions independently, as appropriate, and always position Advancement and Assumption in the best way possible. She/he should have a deep understanding of philanthropy and the impact that it can make on higher education and enjoy working with a wide variety of personalities and work styles.

Requirements

• Must be willing to contribute actively to the mission of the University as well as show an understanding of and a respect for the Catholic and Assumptionist identity of Assumption University.
• Five to seven years’ experience in major gift fundraising, preferably in higher education.
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies. This includes being a good listener and thoughtful questioner.
• Willingness to maintain an aggressive travel schedule
• Proven track record of closing gifts of $50,000+.
• Ability to direct and manage volunteers, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments
• Knowledge of tax laws related to charitable giving.
• Conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare reports and other materials
• Exercise good judgement, to demonstrate and understanding of ethics related to development activities, and to use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers, and others
• Maintain confidentiality
• Adjust priorities as necessary, independently as well as in conference with supervisor
• Foster effective working relationships within a team environment, leading by example
• Apply and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a multi-year capital or comprehensive fundraising campaign preferred.

Responsibilities

• Build, develop and manage a portfolio of 125 major/planned gift prospects.
• Conduct a minimum of 100 face-to-face meetings annually to qualify, engage, solicit or steward donors. This includes meetings with individuals both on and off campus, traveling as appropriate.
• Engage and strategically utilize campus community members (VP’s, Deans, Department Chairs, faculty, coaches, etc.) in the advancement process to deepen engagement with top prospects.
• Serve as a trusted partner to senior leadership in the development and execution of thoughtful strategies designed to move top prospects closer to making a major gift to the University.
• Partner with Assumption Fund team and the Leadership Giving Officer for Athletics to identify new prospects and volunteers and support the goal of growing unrestricted and restricted annual support to the University.
• Collaborate with Major and Planned Giving Officer to expand membership in the 1904 Legacy Society, which recognizes individuals who have included the University in their estate plans.
• Provide staff leadership for one reunion class giving initiative. Focus is establishing fundraising goals and strategizing with the class volunteer group to actively solicit and steward class members.
• Move prospects through the giving pipeline by actively managing and documenting moves management strategies, including all donor interactions and activity in the University’s Advancement database (Slate).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior