Senior Leadership Gifts Officer

Connecticut College•New London, CT

59d•$100,000 - $115,000

About The Position

The Senior Leadership Gift Officer is a vital member of the College's Leadership Giving team. This position, in conjunction with the Director of Leadership Gifts, helps design and implement overall strategy for their assigned area to include but not limited to donor specific events and staffing presidential visits. They are responsible for soliciting gifts of six and seven figures from alumni, parents and friends of the College. The Senior Leadership Gift Officer will identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects in their portfolio of approximately 125 -200 leadership gift prospects in a region to be determined. Their work closely collaborates with and in support of volunteers, other Advancement staff, and other College representatives to cultivate and solicit donors for College-wide priorities. Must be a highly energetic professional with a track record of building donor relationships and closing gifts in the seven-figure range. This position will travel extensively alone as well as with the President and/or Senior Administrators on prospect calls and to events.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and 6+ years of relevant work experience (higher educational experience preferred)
Proven record of successfully soliciting and closing six and seven-figure leadership gifts
Excellent oral and written communication skills; excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated record of completing assignments
Ability to align the needs and interests of leadership gift donors in order to develop relationships between them and the College
Interest in all aspects of education and a dedication to promoting the College's fundraising priorities through developing excellent relationships with faculty, senior academic leaders, trustees, volunteers, communications and advancement colleagues
Demonstrated leadership and the ability to successfully manage multi-functional or diverse areas
Ability to handle confidential information with impeccable discretion
Knowledge of fundraising best practices and experience working on capital and comprehensive campaigns
Extensive travel and occasional evening/weekend work required

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of leadership prospects in assigned territories.
Participate in all aspects of the gift cycle:
Initiate contacts with potential leadership gift donors
Develop appropriate cultivation strategies for them, including working with volunteers
Move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure
Make solicitations when appropriate
Maintain stewardship contacts with donors; adhere to the highest ethical standards; demonstrate empathetic disposition and perseverance; reflect optimistic and positive attitude, and convey sensitivity to needs of the donors
Develop strong internal relationships within advancement as well as throughout the College in order to bring information and resources to cultivation and solicitation efforts. Offer prospect strategy counsel to the President, Vice President for College Advancement, and advancement staff who are managing other prospects. Be a resource for Advancement staff, from identifying potential volunteer connections to knowing about meeting and event spaces in key locations
Establish strong relationships with prospective donors with an eye toward meeting College and personal fundraising goals.
Attend regional engagement events for alumni and parents.
Staff the president and senior staff when in the region including events and personal visits
Create briefing materials for senior leadership including meeting details, strategy, and desired outcomes
Collaborate with colleagues across annual giving, gift planning, research, and donor relations to develop and implement integrated donor strategies
Secure planned gifts and blended gifts in partnership with the gift planning team
Perform other duties as assigned or as necessary.