Major Gift Officer

At Maryville University, we power dreams, not just degrees. Our vision is to be the innovative leader in higher education promoting a revolution in student learning that expands access and opportunities for all.

The Major Gift Officer (MGO) will serve as an integral part of the development team and will report to the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations or designee and works collaboratively and strategically with other fundraising professionals, faculty, and other campus leaders. The MGO will be responsible for soliciting gifts of $100,000 and higher from alumni and non-alumni friends as well as managing relationships with prospective donors and will be expected to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward these alumni and friends of the university. We are seeking a a highly energetic professional with a track record of building donor relationships and closing gifts in the six-figure range. The successful candidate must be committed to fostering a welcoming environment for a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage a portfolio of primary prospects in the primary territory.
• Manage prospect activity in the primary territories.
• Participate in all aspects of the gift cycle:
• Initiate contacts with potential leadership and major gift donors
• Develop appropriate cultivation strategies for them, including working with volunteers
  o Move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure
  o Make solicitations when appropriate
  o Maintain stewardship contacts with donors; adhere to the highest ethical standards; demonstrate empathetic disposition, and perseverance; reflect optimistic and positive attitude, and convey sensitivity to needs of the donors
• Recommends and assists with programming involving the president, vice president for development, other vice presidents, and campaign volunteer leaders.
• Work collaboratively with university advancement officers. Offer prospect strategy counsel to the vice president, development and alumni staff who are managing other prospects. Be a resource for development/alumni staff, from identifying potential volunteer connections to knowing about meeting and event spaces in key locations.
• Focus on securing support for a set of campus-wide priorities that include multi-cultural scholarships, K-12 programs, unrestricted support, facility renovations, new facilities, and campus improvements.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Five years successful experience in major or planned gift fundraising
• Ability to understand the needs and interests of leadership and major gift donors in order to develop relationships between them and the university
• Interest in all aspects of education and a dedication to promoting the university’s fundraising priorities through developing excellent relationships with faculty, senior academic leaders, trustees, volunteers, and the development office team
• Demonstrated leadership and the ability to successfully manage multi-functional or diverse areas
• Successful experience in making cold calls as well as developing cultivation and solicitation strategies
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated record of completing assignments
• Must be willing to travel

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited University
• Experience in major or planned gift fundraising in higher education

Special Instructions to Applicants:

• An offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background screening.
• Applicants requiring University sponsorship to obtain employment authorization will not be considered for this position.
• Maryville University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and prohibiting discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race/color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. This extends to all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruiting, hiring, training, on-the-job treatment, promotion, layoff, and termination.

Please complete an online application on our website to be considered: http://jobs.maryville.edu/postings/2501.