Overview and Responsibilities

At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, we refer to our donors as Benefactors because we believe those who invest in the university receive immeasurable fulfillment as our partners. 

The Major Gift Officer is passionate about Benefactor stories, provides philanthropic guidance to align Benefactor passions with the needs of the institution, and is results-driven to secure philanthropic investment support for the University. This position will manage a portfolio of qualified major gift prospects by building relationships leading to timely cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The selected candidate can be based out of the Twin Cities (Minneapolis), Rochester, Winona, or the Chicago area. The Major Gift Officer will be responsible for meeting explicit performance objectives regarding donors qualified for gifts of $50,000 and above. 

Job responsibilities include:

• Complete 175 visits per year, of meaningful, strategic, personal interactions with assigned prospects. 
• Achieve or exceed dollar goals determined on an annual basis in collaboration with the Senior Director of Major and Planned Giving.
• Manage a major gift portfolio of prospects including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major outright and planned gifts.
• Coordinate cultivation activities and solicitations with other University representatives, as appropriate, including the president, senior staff, advancement professionals, key faculty, and volunteers.
• Maintain strategic cultivation plans for a focus group of assigned prospects who are scheduled for solicitation within the coming 12-18-month period. Plans will project gift amount, area of benefactor passion to support, as well as a step by step plan for cultivation with a cultivation schedule. 
• Provide timely, written reports regarding the outcome of cultivation and solicitation actions in the form of contact reports, stage updates, and strategy statement updates and revisions within Raiser's Edge NXT.

Qualifications

Education and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Experience deemed equivalent and relevant will also be considered.
• Proficiency with computer and development software (Raiser's Edge NXT) preferred.
• A career history of commitment to the highest professional and ethical standards including confidentiality.
• 3-5 years of experience in fundraising, with a proven track record of raising major and principal gifts, outright and planned gifts, and/or complex gifts.

Essential skills and abilities:

• Support, respect, and advance the mission of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and its Lasallian charism.
• A career history of commitment to the highest professional and ethical standards including confidentiality.
• Proficient in managing multiple tasks simultaneously with attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, with a team, and volunteers.
• Travel required, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Ability to take advice and guidance in a positive and productive manner.
• Excellent communication skills, including diplomacy, among all constituencies.
• Demonstrated ability and initiative to gain knowledge of the job and the institution. 
• Capacity to develop prospect strategy, portfolio management, and tracking processes.
• Knowledge of best practices and ethical standards in the field.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and work with sensitive information.
• Ability to meet performance goals while working in a remote environment.
• Demonstrate competency and promote inclusion and human dignity.
• Proven ability to interact with varied constituencies in a collegial and professional manner.

Application Requirements

Apply online at https://www.smumn.edu/about/offices-services/human-resources/employment-opportunities/ and include a cover letter and resume.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota believes inclusion and human dignity contributes to a robust academic and work environment and is critical to achieving the University's mission in an increasingly diverse society. Individuals with expertise and diverse skills from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The successful candidate must support, respect, and advance the mission of Saint Mary's University as a Lasallian Catholic institution.

Saint Mary’s offers a comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending, retirement pension plan, and both undergraduate and graduate tuition remission plans.

FEATURED BENEFITS

Saint Mary’s University offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, which includes:

• Up to 100% tuition remission for employees, spouses, and dependents upon eligibility
• Employer contribution of 6.9% of annual salary to retirement plan
• Paid vacation, sick time, parental leave, and 13 paid holidays per year
• Medical, dental, and vision options
• Employer-paid disability, life, and AD&D benefits

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.