Senior Philanthropy Officer

North Central College; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance

403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions

Tuition waiver for full-time employees

Generous paid time off including holidays

Job summary

A community-focused higher education institution in Illinois is seeking a Senior Philanthropy Officer to build and maintain strong relationships with constituents. The role involves managing a portfolio of prospects for major gifts, developing strategic fundraising plans, and contributing to the College's mission. A successful candidate will have at least 5 years of fundraising experience, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to diversity. Comprehensive benefits are included.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of successful professional fundraising experience.
• Experience in major and planned gifts in higher education preferred.
• Strong understanding of institutional advancement.
• Strong communication, ethics and donor-centered approach.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of prospects for qualification, cultivation, and solicitation.
• Create strategic plans for donors/prospects for effective moves management.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit prospects annually.
• Solicit prospects and collaborate with college partners to maximize gifts.
• Maintain donor records in the CRM and generate reports.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Outstanding interpersonal skills

Detail-oriented

Organizational skills

Excellent verbal and written presentation skills

CRM

Microsoft Office

Alumni relations

Teamwork

Travel readiness

Education

Baccalaureate degree in a professional program

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM software

Microsoft Office

donor database

Job description

The Senior Philanthropy Officer ( SPO ) is a visible member of the Institutional Advancement team who serves a critical role as an ambassador for the College, building strong and sustained relationships with constituents, including alumni, parents, friends and business/corporate entities. The focus is on institutional priority-based leadership gifts to the College including major gifts, annual support, capital project, planned giving commitments and helping to establish a pipeline for the next comprehensive campaign.

Description of Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of prospects assigned by the Director of Philanthropy in consultation with the Director of Philanthropy, and the Vice President, for qualification, cultivation, solicitation, gift closure, and stewardship purposes that result in annual gifts, major gifts, multiyear pledge commitments, and will commitments to the College.
• Work with the Director of Philanthropy to create a 12 to 24-month strategic plan for each donor/prospect that will serve as a foundational communication plan for each person on the portfolio, and faithfully execute such plan for effective moves management.
• Advance campaign priorities including, but not limited to the Student Commons, Athletics Complex, and Soccer and Lacrosse Field. Campaign designations are subject to change contingent upon campaign season and presidential priorities.
• Serve as a member of the fundraising team; work to identify, cultivate, and solicit prospects on an annual basis with a particular focus on leadership annual and major gift donors using moves management strategy to maximize financial support to the College.
• Utilize existing and supporting resources as well as technology to maximize time spent in donor-facing cultivation and solicitation activities that lead to securing major gifts. Use of the College’s donor database ( CRM ), reporting tools, and wealth screening information is a requirement.
• Work with alumni, parents, friends, faculty/staff and business entities of the College and the community to develop relationships leading to gifts and commitments for annual and capital campaigns.
• Complete and file timely reports of donor/prospect contacts. Responsible for maintaining individual donor/prospect records in the College’s donor database.
• Demonstrate civil and inclusive behavior when interacting with staff, faculty, students and visitors to the College. Promote a flexible, collaborative, and inclusive work and living environment and engage in educational opportunities to increase awareness.
• Support the College’s mission, vision and values, and contribute to the advancement of the College’s Strategic Plan.
• Demonstrate civil and inclusive behavior when interacting with staff, faculty, students and visitors to the College. Promote a flexible, collaborative and inclusive work and living environment and engage in educational opportunities to increase awareness and understanding of diversity and inclusion.
• Ability and willingness to work outside the office. Normal workday hours including some evenings and weekends on an as needed basis.
• Other related duties as appropriately assigned.
• Out of area travel limited to an assigned territory.

OTHER KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the College’s mission, vision, and values, and contribute to the advancement of the College’s Strategic Plan.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to continuous quality improvement.
• Demonstrate civil and inclusive behavior when interacting with staff, faculty, students and visitors to the College. Promote a flexible, collaborative and inclusive work and living environment and engage in educational opportunities to increase awareness and understanding of diversity and inclusion.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Strong communication skills are critical to the success of any organization that deals with customers. Effective communication can enhance retention and visibility, helping North Central College distinguish itself from competitors. An individual in this position must possess the proficiency, understanding, and knowledge of principles and processes necessary to provide high-quality service and ensure success for both internal and external customers of the College.

• Ability to consistently demonstrate outstanding interpersonal skills in dealing with persons both internal and external to the College.
• Knowledge and understanding of, commitment to, and ability to effectively articulate the College’s organization, operation, philosophy and vision for the future.
• Ability to effectively conduct several activities, each in a different stage of development, concurrently, and to do so with minimal direct supervision. This requires a person who is well organized, detail oriented and flexible.
• Ability to manage several fundraising campaign/appeal projects at once working independently as well as a member of cross-functional team to achieve both individual and department fundraising goals.
• Ability to work consistently within established timelines and accurately track all tasks to timely completion to adhere to deadlines.
• Ability to, at times, work effectively within groups where membership and leadership may not be constant.
• Ability to perform general administrative tasks necessary to efficiently manage a particular function.
• Ability to utilize mathematical skills necessary for compiling, summarizing and analyzing data.
• Computer proficiency using Microsoft Office and the ability to adapt and incorporate new technologies required.
• Excellent communication skills, especially listening, writing and presentation skills.
• Ability, and inclination, to exercise discretion with regard to personal and confidential information.
• Proven ability to engage with individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life, inspire trust and confidence, and develop strong relationships that lead to successful solicitations.
• Energetic, motivated and self-directed approach combined with excellent verbal, written and public presentation skills; solid organization, planning and follow-through abilities.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The successful candidate will manage a portfolio of donors to obtain annual, major, and planned/estate gifts for the College’s institutional initiatives. This candidate should cultivate, negotiate, close, and finalize the terms of new gifts and/or planned/estate gifts, with the advice and input of development and administrative colleagues at the College. They should work with College representatives including faculty and staff to move prospects toward a major gift through individual meetings, phone calls, and written correspondence.

The Senior Philanthropy Officer will have autonomy in executing specific fundraising projects; including active participation and management of assigned tasks. The SPO is responsible for growing and implementing additional giving efforts; developing, organizing, managing, and implementing short and long-range fundraising plans, goals, and strategies, all aimed at increasing giving, participation and involvement from these constituencies.

Education/Training

A baccalaureate degree in a professional program is required.

Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of successful professional fundraising experience at higher-ed or other local community based nonprofit organizations, preferably major and/or planned gift experience, with a proven track record of meeting established goals and effectively soliciting gifts, and management of capital projects and/or capital campaigns is required. Fundraising experience in institutional advancement, particularly in an academic setting including communications and/or alumni relations desired. A candidate with a minimum 5 years of successful professional sales experience will be also considered.

Licenses or Certifications

A valid Illinois driver’s license and acceptable driving record is required.

Is This a Temporary Position?

Is This a Temporary Position? No

Employment Conditions

An offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of the College’s background screening process.

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

EEO Statement

North Central College is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce. NCC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please notify the Office of Human Resources. Determinations for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Additional Information

The pay offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors including (but not limited to) the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and training. North Central College provides a comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• All-inclusive medical, dental and vision group insurance
• Health and dependent care savings plans
• Employer-paid life, AD&DD and disability group insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions
• Employee assistance plan resources
• Tuition waiver for full-time employees, spouse and dependent children
• Generous paid time off plans, including 3 weeks vacation to start
• 15 paid holidays per year, including 5 days during NCC Winter Break
• Free access to campus health center, fitness and athletic facilities, and library

Posting Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Are you authorized to work in the US? (YES / NO)
• * Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for work authorization? (YES / NO)