Senior Director, Development - Major Gifts

Occidental College • Los Angeles, CA

281d • $140,000 - $145,000

About The Position

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Individual Giving, the Senior Director of Development, Major Gifts is a key member of the frontline team, focused on expanding and developing a comprehensive major gifts program at Occidental College. As a senior professional in fundraising and development, this individual serves on the Institutional Advancement Leadership Team and will oversee a small team of major gift officers. The Senior Director must demonstrate a deep understanding of various fundraising concepts, best practices, and procedures for effective fundraising. This role involves providing leadership, strategy, and planning to build a high-performing team of gift officers dedicated to securing principal and major gifts for the College. The Senior Director will play a crucial role in supporting overall fundraising success by leading by example, planning campaigns, and launching initiatives that drive private financial support for the College. Additionally, the Senior Director will exemplify the best practices in fundraising, contributing significantly to the Individual Giving team. This position is also responsible for managing and growing a select portfolio of donors and prospects while serving as a campus leader in prospect management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with preference for liberal arts, fundraising and development, marketing, communications or other fields related to position responsibilities.
• Seven or more years of progressive fundraising/development experience.
• Three years of experience soliciting for and securing major gifts from $100,000 and more.
• Two years of supervisory experience.
• In depth knowledge of fundraising principles and techniques.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, Google drives/folders/forms, Adobe Acrobat, Web Editing, and social media applications.
• Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented and thorough.
• Strong commitment to a quality work product.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally, in writing and electronically.
• Effective interpersonal skills as evidenced in the ability to collaborate with a variety of constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, inclusion & diversity.
• Effective organizational, logistical, time management and planning skills.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in advancement, marketing, communications or other fields related to position responsibilities.
• Five years of experience fundraising in a college or university environment.
• Experience working in a performance-based environment with tracking of meeting goals, contacts, and dollars raised.

Responsibilities

• Manages and builds an active portfolio of 100-150 prospects who have the capacity to give major gifts of $100K or more.
• Develops a regional plan for major gift solicitation and strategy for assigned region(s).
• Works with the Gift Planning team on behalf of planned giving prospects.
• Prepares proposals and meets expected proposal metrics.
• Works with the Oxy Fund team to make leadership annual fund solicitations of $10,000 or more.
• Completes successful discovery work and moves prospects along the donor continuum.
• Solicits a pipeline of future bequest gifts and gift agreements.
• Manages the major gifts team, including identifying and recruiting members.
• Leads by example in advancing prospect relationships.
• Understands the mission and priorities of the Office of Institutional Advancement.
• Participates in the planning and execution of major events.
• Thoroughly documents all donor activity in a timely manner.

Benefits

• Generous compensation and benefits package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree