Assistant/Associate Director of Major Gifts

The Goddard School of Deerfield; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Support for diverse community

Job summary

Trinity College’s Advancement Office is seeking an experienced Assistant/Associate Director of Major Gifts to manage major gift prospects. The officer will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts of $100,000 or more from alumni and parents. Essential skills include fundraising leadership, excellent communication, and a strong problem-solving ability. The position requires willingness to travel within the United States and collaborate across campus. Trinity is an equal opportunity employer, encouraging women and minorities to apply.

Qualifications

• Three or more years of successful leadership-level fundraising or comparable experience.
• Proven success in cultivation, soliciting and closing leadership-level gifts.
• Willingness to spend approximately 40% of time on front-line meetings.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward alumni and parents capable of making major gifts.
• Work closely with campus colleagues to set donor strategy.
• Develop relationships with major gift prospects through various communication methods.

Skills

Leadership-level fundraising

Excellent written and oral communication

Problem-solving

Team player

Empathy and integrity

Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM or advancement database

Job description

Job Description

Trinity College’s Advancement Office seeks a talented, highlymotivated, client oriented, team player and experienced front-line fund-raiser for the opportunity of Assistant/Associate Director of Major Gifts. The Major Gift Officer will be responsible for the active management of major gift prospects as assigned. Individuals in the Associate Director of Leadership Giving’s portfolio of approximately 150 prospects will have the capacity to make gifts of $100,000 or more. The Major Gift Officer is responsible for moving prospects through the donor engagement process: identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, and closing comprehensive gifts for Trinity College. The ability and interest in willing to travel regularly and have the ability and personality to relate comfortably to a sophisticated and diverse alumni and parent constituency is essential.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward Trinity alumni, parents, and friends as assigned who are capable of making major gift commitments to the College. These gifts may include restricted/capital gifts, gifts to Annual Giving purposes, and planned gifts.
• Work closely with colleagues across the campus to set donor strategy with a focus on soliciting and closing major gifts of $100,000 and above.
• Develop and grow relationships with major gift prospects through phone, email, video call, and face-to-face meetings.
• Collaborate with colleagues on key reunion classes, campaign and special initiatives, and annual giving.
• Assist in obtaining hosts, staffing, and executing advancement events, both on and off campus.
• Complete all assigned reporting including travel plans, itineraries, contact reports, expense reports and monthly status reports in a timely manner.
• Write donor proposals, presidential briefings, and gift documentation with precision and in a timely fashion.
• Remain informed about the mission of the College, including its history, academic programs, current activities, and policies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned and based on departmental needs.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree is required.
• Three or more years of successful leadership-level fundraising or comparable experience, preferably in education.
• Proven success in cultivation, soliciting and closing leadership-level gifts.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, coupled with a genuine ability to engage effectively with a broad range of constituents.
• Strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to create and implement prospect strategies and collaborate with campus partners.
• Willingness and ability to spend approximately 40% of time on front‑line meetings through local meetings, travel, and virtual platforms such as Zoom.
• Self-driven, highly organized, flexible, and able to successfully manage multiple priorities.
• Team player with a strong sense of integrity and work ethic.
• Demonstrates empathy and actively values and fosters behaviors that support a diverse college community.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel, and comfort learning new software systems.
• Ability to travel within the United States independently, including a valid driver’s license, required.

Desired Qualifications:

• Evidence of a commitment to a liberal arts education and mission through professional or volunteer experience.
• Familiarity with fundraising principles and experience in a higher education or academic setting.li>
• Gift Planning knowledge and experience.
• Experience working in a CRM or advancement database (e.g., Slate/Technolutions, Blackbaud, or similar system).
• Plus Delta Discipline of Frontline Fundraising training preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Trinity College’s mission and programs and/or experience in a comparable college setting.

Trinity is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Applicants with disabilities should request, in advance, any needed accommodation in order to participate in the application process.