Major Gift Officer

Spring Arbor University; Spring Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Spring Arbor University is seeking a Major Gift Officer to design, develop, and implement a strategy to cultivate relationships with major donors, planned giving donors, and prospects to advance the University’s mission. You will identify new prospects, nurture existing relationships, and solicit gifts while stewarding donor relationships.

The role requires strong interpersonal and communication skills, experience in nonprofit fundraising, and the ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably from Spring Arbor University.
• Demonstrated experience in sales and management of employees.
• Experience in nonprofit fundraising preferred.
• Must have demonstrated experience in program development, sales and/or public relations.
• Strong interpersonal skill essential.
• Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be able to organize, communicate and implement multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Some evenings, weekends and travel required.
• Experience working in multicultural academic environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Help our donors accomplish their philanthropic goals through their major, planned and annual gifts.
• Manages a list of donors and prospects, while focusing on major, planned/deferred and annual giving.
• Work within database systems to track and monitor progress and metrics.
• Represent the university to external constituents through service or community involvement.
• Assists other advancement team members with department-related activities (i.e., Homecoming, Heritage Alumni Celebration and other special events) as needed.
• Participates in team meetings.
• Provides top notch customer service.
• Serves on university committees as assigned and requested.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Written and verbal communication

Organization & multitasking

Sales and staff management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Summary

The major gift officer designs, develops and implements a strategy to cultivate a relationship with major donors, planned giving donors and prospects to further the mission of SAU. This includes identifying new prospects, cultivating new and existing relationships, soliciting funds to further the mission and stewarding relationships with current donors.

Summary

The major gift officer designs, develops and implements a strategy to cultivate a relationship with major donors, planned giving donors and prospects to further the mission of SAU. This includes identifying new prospects, cultivating new and existing relationships, soliciting funds to further the mission and stewarding relationships with current donors.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

include the following. Other duties may be assigned by proper personnel.

Responsibilities

• Help our donors accomplish their philanthropic goals through their major, planned and annual gifts.
• Manages a list of donors and prospects, while focusing on major, planned/deferred and annual giving.
• Work within database systems to track and monitor progress and metrics.
• Represent the university to external constituents through service or community involvement.
• Assists other advancement team members with department-related activities (i.e., Homecoming, Heritage Alumni Celebration and other special events) as needed.
• Participates in team meetings.
• Provides top notch customer service.
• Serves on university committees as assigned and requested.

Key Result Areas:

Lead & Lag Performance:

• Manage portfolio of 80-120 donors
• 120-150 face-to-face meetings with prospects
• 20-30 major/planned asks per year
• 60-80 annual gift asks

Yearly Dollar Goals (cash in door)

• 150,000 – year 1
• 300,000 – year 2
• 500,000 – year 3

In addition, planned gifts would also be tracked and measured.

Reporting Responsibilities

Serves as a member of the advancement team, reporting directly to the Assistant Vice President, showing care and respect for team members and the SAU Community by embracing the principles of the SAU Community Covenant.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably from Spring Arbor University.
• Demonstrated experience in sales and management of employees.
• Experience in nonprofit fundraising preferred.
• Must have demonstrated experience in program development, sales and/or public relations.
• Strong interpersonal skill essential.
• Must be effective in both written and verbal forms of communication.
• Must possess excellent ability to organize, communicate and implement multiple tasks, meet multiple deadlines.
• Some evenings, weekends and travel expected.
• Individual will exhibit a life and service that is in full accord with the Spring Arbor University Concept and Community Covenant.

Experience working in multicultural academic environments preferred and individuals from diverse populations are encouraged to apply.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Spring Arbor University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is both our moral and legal obligation to ensure that all employment practices are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner. In compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable federal and state statutes, all employment decisions and practices, including recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, transfers, job classification, assignments, working conditions, educational assistance, terminations, layoffs, and return from layoffs, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal or state law. We evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job.

As a Christian religious organization, Spring Arbor University operates under the religious exemption provided by federal law, which permits religious organizations, including educational institutions, to give employment preference to individuals who share the University's closely held religious beliefs. The University's hiring practices and equal employment policies are administered in full compliance with both federal and state law.