Major Gifts Officer

Major Gifts Officers (MGO) report to the Director of Leadership Giving and are responsible for being knowledgeable of all donors, alumni, parents, and friends in a defined geographic region, making sure a defined broad-based group of prospects based on giving or capability are personally covered by the University or its representatives. The Major Gifts Officer will design, develop, and manage a comprehensive program of focused solicitation strategies to persuasively present the priorities and case for university support and successfully close major gifts of five to seven figures.

To achieve our mission as a liberal arts college, we continually strive to foster a welcoming campus community, which recognizes the value of all persons. University Advancement is committed to contributing to an educational environment that is rich with a wide range of intellectual perspectives and backgrounds.

Essential Functions

• Develops and manages a portfolio of 150-200 potential donors capable of gifts of at least $100,000.
• Travels extensively to visit with donors and highly rated prospects with defined moves management plans for each prospect after an initial visit.
• Participates in donor prospect strategy sessions.
• Successfully solicits and closes five to seven figure gifts.
• Persuasively presents the University's mission and goals.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues, faculty, and senior administration.
• Other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree is required.
• Consistently demonstrates strong character and leadership abilities and excellent human relations skills to represent the University effectively with its alumni, parents and other external constituents.
• Must be a passionate, high-energy individual with outstanding skills in management, communication, and team building with a history of success in previous work experience and a desire to work in higher education.
• Two or more years of successful fundraising and/or development experience preferably in a higher education setting. A record of achieving ambitious targets and goals is expected.
• Sophisticated interpersonal skills, the ability to listen effectively, and outstanding written and oral communication skills. Candidates should be organized, able to work collaboratively and strategically, and be a talented motivator of volunteers.
  
  

Candidates with the below preferred qualifications may be considered for a Senior Major Gifts Officer title with the corresponding compensation range.

• Five or more years of fundraising experience with demonstrated ability to close six-figure gifts.
• Experience in higher education
• Knowledge of Moves Management principles and donor database systems is a plus.
  
  

Application Instructions

Review of applications will begin on May 11 and continue until the positions are filled. Required materials include:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Names and contact information for three professional references
  
  

Application instructions for internal and external candidates can be found at https://www.wlu.edu/employment-opportunities/jobs-at-w-l.

Compensation

The expected annual salary for this position is between $99,000 - $118,000 for Major Gifts Officer and $110,000 - $133,000 for Senior Major Gifts Officer. Offers are based on factors such as qualifications, relevant experience, skills, internal equity, and market and organizational considerations.

Washington and Lee University also offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being of employees and their families. To learn more about working at W&L, benefits, and life in the Shenandoah Valley, visit jobs.wlu.edu.

Physical Requirements

• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
  
  

Working Conditions: The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Types of Work: Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Position Type

Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible Washington and Lee is an Equal Opportunity Employer seeking candidates committed to high standards of scholarship, performance, professionalism, and to a welcoming campus community. Job description requirements are representative, but not all‐inclusive of the knowledge, skill, and abilities needed to successfully perform this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

To apply, visit: https://wlu.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WLUCareers/job/Lexington-VA/Major-Gifts-Officer_R1404

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