Description
The Major Gifts Officer position is a full-time year-round position and reports directly to the Director of Development. Major responsibilities of this position include developing and implementing strategies to secure major gifts in support of Parish Episcopal’s mission and strategic priorities. This position will manage a portfolio of current and prospective major donors, cultivate meaningful relationships, solicit significant gifts ($100,000+), and steward long-term engagement with the School. The position will play a central role in capital and comprehensive campaigns, annual and planned giving and endowment growth initiatives.
The overall success of the Advancement Office depends on teamwork and collaboration. This position requires the Major Gifts Officer to work closely with other members of the Advancement Team, the Head of School and other fundraising volunteers.
Requirements
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Provides strategic direction and an annual operating plan for meeting major gift objectives
Manages a portfolio of 75+ major donors and donor prospects capable of making cash and/or planned gifts of $100,000 and above
Conducts regular and timely prospect visits to cultivate, solicit and steward major gifts
Develops tailored cultivation and solicitation strategies for each donor
Collaborates with the Director of Advancement Services to draft and submit major gift proposals
Leads strategy for annual giving leadership giving solicitation of managed prospects and personally solicits all or some managed prospects
Solicits planned gifts from managed prospects
Prepares and staffs the Head of School, fundraising volunteers, and Advancement staff colleagues for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship visits with managed prospects
Documents all work with prospects accurately and quickly in the advancement database, in accordance with Advancement office protocols
Plays a leadership role in any capital, endowment or special fundraising campaign, including campaign strategy, fundraising, volunteer management, special events, donor stewardship, as well as the production of all externally facing collateral and electronic materials, tracking and analysis of campaign progress, and all reports for School leadership and the Board of Trustees
Collaborates with Advancement staff colleagues to ensure the effective development of strong relationships between constituents and the school, education of constituents about why philanthropic support is necessary and warranted, and communication of the school’s appreciation for and impact of contributions made by donors
Helps plan and execute major donor events, including post-event donor cultivation, stewardship and solicitation
Partners effectively as needed with the School’s Finance, Admissions, Communications, and Facilities teams to achieve Advancement and institutional success
Participates in Advancement Committee and other volunteer committee meetings as requested and appropriate
Ensures compliance with IRS regulations regarding charitable gifts and CASE Management and Reporting Standards (CMRS)
Understands and promotes best practices in independent school fundraising, including CASE’s Statement of Ethics and Principals of Practice for Fundraising Professionals at Educational Institutions and AFP’s Code of Ethics and Donor Bill of Rights
Promotes the School’s statement of mission and philosophy
MARGINAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Marginal duties of this position include the following. Employees in this position perform some or all of the following tasks. Other duties may be assigned.
Attends Development & Staff Meetings
Attends School Functions as needed
Attends Conferences
Attends Chapel
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
No supervisory duties assigned. All school employees have some responsibility for supervising students and assisting in maintaining a safe environment.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree: advanced degree or CFRE preferred
Minimum of three to five years’ experience in a similar position preferred with a demonstrated strong track record of cultivating, soliciting and closing major gifts
Capital, comprehensive and/or endowment campaign management is preferred
Experience in an independent school or higher education an asset
Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Zoom, and Internet tools
Knowledge of development software (preferably Raiser’s Edge) and broad understanding of the technological tools available to development offices
Job Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
§ A well organized, detail-oriented individual who has a high energy level together with an accompanying sense of urgency
§ Ability to thrive in a highly collaborative and dynamic fundraising environment
§ Models cooperation, collegiality and teamwork
§ Exhibits personal and professional integrity as well as respect for the confidentiality of colleagues and constituents
§ Ability to multi-task and balance competing priorities
§ Strong analytical, oral, written communication and presentation skills
§ Exhibits excellent planning, prioritization, organization, efficiency and follow-through
§ Demonstrates self-motivation, flexibility, problem solving and commitment to innovation
§ Shows dependability, punctuality, high quality, accuracy and timeliness of work produced
§ Well-developed interpersonal skills to deal effectively with a wide range of constituents, including those at very senior levels
§ Polished and self-confident when interacting with people of power, influence, and wealth
§ A person of unquestioned integrity who has an impeccable reputation, who honors commitments, and who deals with people in a straightforward and personal way
§ An accessible and approachable person with a good sense of humor
§ Maintains a professional appearance and demeanor
