Chief Development Officer

Sweet Briar College; Staunton (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Sweet Briar College seeks a Chief Development Officer to lead the Major Gifts and Fund teams, shaping fundraising initiatives aligned with the College's mission. This role involves managing donor relations and implementing strategic plans for major contributions. Ideal candidates will possess strong analytical and leadership skills, with a proven background in fundraising and a collaborative approach to working with diverse teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required with three to five years in relevant fields.
• Strong experience in major gifts and leadership development.
• Exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills with a collaborative approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead Major Gifts and Sweet Briar Fund teams.
• Develop strategic plans for securing major donations.
• Manage a portfolio of top donor prospects.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Exceptional organizational skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Excellent communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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Director of the Sweet Briar Fund at Sweet Briar College

Sweet Briar College is a liberal arts college for women of consequence, located in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, approximately 12 miles north of Lynchburg and 54 miles south of Charlottesville. Founded in 1901, the College boasts a modern core curriculum focused on women’s leadership in the 21st century, undergraduate programs in arts, sciences, and humanities, and a Master of Arts in Teaching. It is one of the only two women’s colleges in the United States with an ABET-accredited engineering degree. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Sweet Briar College is committed to enhancing our community. It encourages applications from qualified individuals with varied backgrounds, experiences and ideas who would increase the diversity of the College.

Job Title: Chief Development Officer

Classification: Exempt

Reports To: Vice President for Alumnae Relations and Development and President

Job Summary/Objective: The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is primarily responsible for leading the Major Gifts, Sweet Briar Fund, and Planned Giving teams, the Director of Advancement Services, the processing of gifts and stewarding of donors, and the Advancement and Stewardship Manager. This position will collaborate with the VP of Alumnae Relations and Development and the President to identify fundraising priorities and meet the College’s strategic vision and mission goals.

Essential Responsibilities

• Demonstrates support of the College’s mission and beliefs.
• Manages all gift officers and is charged with enhancement and operationalization of the major gifts, annual giving, and gift planning team members.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates strategic plans for securing major ($25k+) gifts with a focus on, but not limited to, unrestricted annual fund support, restricted initiatives, scholarships, and foundation priorities.
• Identifies potential donors, cultivates and solicits prospects, and provides exemplary stewardship of our supporters.
• Utilizes and understands comprehensive prospect management, wealth engine, and research systems to assist in implementing strategic plans and other actions.
• Manages an assigned donor portfolio of 50 top Sweet Briar prospects, including alumnae, parents, and friends.
• Initiates contacts with potential leadership and major gift donors; develops appropriate cultivation strategies, including working with volunteers, campus partners, and other development officers; moves potential donors in an appropriate and timely manner toward solicitation and closure.
• Develops an overall objective for major donor stewardship with the Manager of Advancement and Stewardship
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities: Major Gifts Officers, Director of Sweet Briar Fund, Director of Advancement Services, and Manager of Advancement and Stewardship.

Position Type/Expected Work Hours: M-F 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, with possible evenings, weekends, and/or holidays as needed for event preparation, etc. This position requires travel nationally to cultivate and solicit major gifts and support events for the President.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required;
• Three to five years or more in major gift, planned gift, leadership development or similar comparable professional experience that would lend to transferable skills;
• Strong analytical skills;
• High level of integrity, dependability, and sound judgment;
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines;
• Ability to lead and motivate staff and volunteers;
• Strong interpersonal skills with a collaborative approach to building teams and fostering a best place to work culture;
• Excellent communication and technology skills;
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently;
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office products;
• Valid driver’s license with good driving record required.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or strong background in a higher education environment from an institutionally related foundation setting;
• Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) certification or similar professional certification designation.
  
  

Work Environment: The position is on campus and will require talking on the telephone and sitting at a desk. Primarily indoors, but some outdoor environments may also be required.

Physical Demands: Extensive periods of sitting/standing, talking on the telephone and working on the computer are required.

Travel: Job requires overnight travel nationally and weekend commitments.

Deadline for Submissions: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Other Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

How to Apply: If applying for a faculty or staff position, please ensure you have attached a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to your online application and that you have fully completed the online applicant profile information.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Sweet Briar College is committed to enhancing our community and encourages applications from qualified individuals with varied backgrounds, experiences and ideas who would increase the diversity of the College.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Executive

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Business Development and Sales

• Industries

  Higher Education

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