Major Gifts Officer

University of Redlands•Redlands, CA

10h•$80,000 - $95,000

About The Position

Join a mission driven team that welcomes, educates, and empowers a diverse community of learners for lives of meaning, impact, and joy. The Major Gifts Officer will be a vital member of a growing, donor-centric fundraising team that will strengthen and expand donor support for the University of Redlands. Reporting to the Director of Major Gifts, the Major Gifts Officer will cultivate, solicit and steward philanthropic support from alumni, parents, and friends of the University. The incumbent will conduct frequent visits and work closely with Prospect Research to identify and engage new prospective donors, with a focus on securing major gifts and commitments of $25,000 and higher (and leadership gifts of $5,000 or more annually). The MGO will design and implement strategies to move assigned prospects through the donor cycle by getting to know them, listening to their interests and concerns, connecting them with the institution in intentional and thoughtful ways, and inspiring them to make contributions that align with the University’s strategic priorities. This position requires flexibility to work evening and weekend hours, as well as the ability to travel, as needed. The successful candidate will be an energetic collaborator, skilled communicator, great listener, relationship builder, strong writer, and well-organized team player dedicated to achieving fundraising goals in support of the University of Redlands. The candidate must demonstrate attention to detail, sound independent judgment, and the ability to take direction while maintaining an entrepreneurial spirit. They must also manage complex tasks and deadlines effectively. Direct experience soliciting, negotiating, and closing leadership or major gifts, along with campaign experience and a strong understanding of fundraising ethics and best practices, is strongly preferred. The candidate must also be able to initiate and maintain strong working relationships with both professional and volunteer leadership of the University. The ability to handle confidential or sensitive information with the highest level of professionalism is required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Three or more years of fundraising experience strongly preferred, and/or related experience in marketing and sales.
Demonstrated success in closing gifts of $10,000 or higher.
A valid California Class C driver’s license with a good driving record is required.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to engage effectively with a diverse campus community.
Team-oriented with an understanding of, and commitment to, the role and mission of a highly regarded liberal arts college.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Ability to build and sustain relationships with university colleagues, sophisticated donors, and volunteers.
Commitment to confidentiality and fundraising ethics.
Basic understanding of higher education advancement, annual giving, and alumni relations.
Self-motivated and able to work with limited supervision while creating new strategies to achieve fundraising goals.
Must be able to interact competently with a culturally and ethnically diverse population of students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Availability to work evenings and weekends and travel as needed.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage a portfolio of approximately 150 prospects by actively soliciting gifts from alumni, parents, and friends across the country.
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership, high-end annual gifts, and major gifts of $25,000 and higher.
Possess a general knowledge of planned giving vehicles, including testamentary bequests.
Partner with the Director of Major Gifts, the Major Gifts team, and Prospect Research staff to identify and prioritize prospective donors for cultivation and solicitation, tracking engagement through all stages of the fundraising cycle.
Design and execute targeted engagement strategies for a wide range of constituents, including alumni, parents, current and former faculty and staff, and friends of the University.
Collaborate closely with Advancement colleagues and University leadership to build lasting donor relationships.
Expand the donor pipeline through strategic moves management by proactively identifying and qualifying new prospective donors, assessing their interest, giving capacity, and philanthropic intent.
Craft compelling, personalized, and targeted proposals and communications for donors.
Work with Donor Relations, faculty, and campus leaders to develop and implement personalized donor recognition and stewardship plans.
Coordinate with Alumni Relations and Annual Giving to incorporate major and leadership gift solicitations into class and affinity reunion efforts.
Maintain accurate and timely records of donor contacts and activities within the institutional database.
Be responsible for meeting measurable goals and metrics identified with the Director of Major Gifts
Have general knowledge or experience in fundraising CRM/database
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.