Major Gifts Officer — Arts & Business

University of New Orleans•New Orleans, LA

About The Position

The Major Gifts Officer for Arts & Business is a key frontline fundraising professional within the Development team in University Advancement at LSU New Orleans. The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of prospective and current donors capable of making major gifts in support of the university's strategic priorities, academic programs, research initiatives, and student success, with a focus on the Henry Bernstein College of Business Administration and the College of Liberal Arts, Education & Human Development. Working collaboratively with Advancement colleagues, academic leadership, faculty, and senior administrators, the Major Gifts Officer plays a critical role in advancing a culture of philanthropy and securing private support that enhances LSU New Orleans's mission as a public urban research university. The Major Gifts Officer partners closely with the Foundation and reports fundraising activity and progress to the LSU New Orleans Foundation Board.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
Minimum of 3 to 5 years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, donor relations, sales, or relationship-based development, preferably in higher education or a nonprofit environment.
Demonstrated success in securing major gifts or comparable revenue-generating outcomes.
Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to engage diverse constituencies.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively as part of a team.
Proven organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Proficiency with fundraising databases and CRMs and with Microsoft Office applications.
Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends and to travel locally and regionally as required.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree.
Prior major gifts experience in higher education.
Familiarity with planned giving concepts and principal gift strategies.
Experience working in a public university or urban research institution.
Familiarity with academic fundraising for business, liberal arts, education, or the fine and performing arts.
Knowledge of the New Orleans region and established philanthropic networks.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of approximately 75 to 120 major gift prospects and donors, generally defined as individuals with the capacity to make gifts of $25,000 or more, or as defined by the University.
Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors through purposeful, strategic, relationship-based engagement.
Develop and execute individualized major gift strategies and solicitation plans that align donor interests with university priorities.
Conduct a high volume of meaningful donor visits, in person, virtual, and by phone, including discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship interactions.
Secure major gifts, multi-year pledges, and blended gifts in collaboration with Planned Giving and other Advancement partners when appropriate.
Work closely with the deans, faculty, and leadership of the Henry Bernstein College of Business Administration and the College of Liberal Arts, Education & Human Development, along with advancement leadership and volunteers, to identify funding priorities, translate academic and program goals into compelling funding opportunities, and engage prospects effectively.
Prepare written proposals, gift agreements, stewardship reports, and correspondence tailored to donor interests.
Maintain accurate and timely records of donor interactions, moves-management activity, and proposals in the University's CRM (Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT), partnering with the Senior Prospect Strategy & Research Analyst on prospect qualification, portfolio optimization, and pipeline reporting.
Partner with the Advancement Data & Stewardship Manager and the Advancement Operations & Events Manager to ensure timely, meaningful stewardship and effective cultivation and recognition events.
Participate in strategic initiatives such as comprehensive campaigns, special projects, donor events, and volunteer engagement efforts.
Provide exemplary stewardship to ensure donor satisfaction and long-term philanthropic commitment.
Stay informed about university programs, achievements, and funding priorities to effectively communicate LSU New Orleans's impact.
Report fundraising activity, pipeline movement, and progress to advancement leadership and to the LSU New Orleans Foundation Board as requested.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the goals of University Advancement.