Major Gift Officer - Engineering
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Major Gift Officer - Engineering at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
Essential functions (job duties):
JOB PURPOSE
Support and participate in fundraising efforts, strategies and initiatives for the James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering (Engineering). Manage a prospect portfolio to achieve aggressive fundraising and contact goals annually. Cultivate, solicit and steward major gift donors to meet established fundraising goals within the allocated expense budget. This position reports to the Senior Director, Major Gifts – James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
(Essential functions are the primary duties/major job responsibilities that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The essential functions are listed in order of importance.)
% Time
Collaborate with Sr. Director, Dean, Chairs and Faculty in identifying fundraising needs and priorities for the James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering. Implement major gift fundraising plans and strategies; establish realistic and achievable timelines; remain current with fundraising trends and serve as a resource on successful development activities, techniques and methods. 25%
Manage a prospect portfolio to achieve aggressive fundraising and contact goals annually. Establish and implement prospect qualification, cultivation, and solicitation strategies with a particular focus on securing commitments of $25,000 . Engage division leadership and school/college/unit-based colleagues as appropriate to support prospect strategies.
25%
Responsible for achieving annual fundraising goal and assisting in meeting unit and division goals; allocating and prioritizing time and resources to achieve the greatest return on investment. Performance and productivity will be measured on the following core metrics as determined annually:
Dollars raised for campaign gift commitments
Number of major gift solicitations of $25,000
Number of major gift closures at $25,000
Number of face-to-face prospect and donor meetings (in-person and virtual visits)
Number of meaningful, significant contacts each month 20%
Collaborate with other Development units (e.g. University-wide Philanthropy, Annual Campaigns, Planned Giving, Donor Experience, Alumni Relations, Data Services, and Prospect Development) as well as other university units to ensure operational efficiencies within the unit. 15%
Draft and negotiate gift and pledge documentation ranging from simple to moderate complexity. Ensure timely routing of donor contributions to central development for processing. 10%
Perform other related duties as assigned. 5%
WORK CONTEXT
This grid characterizes the position scope.
Job Reports to: Senior Director/Chair
Leadership Accountability: Implements operating plans
Supervisory Accountability: None
Organizational Accountability: None
Financial Accountability: Monitors expenditures
Customer Accountability: Interfaces with customers outside the S/C/D
Freedom to Act: Subject to general input from supervisor
Unique duties:
Qualifications:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education Bachelor's degree
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in marketing, public relations, business administration or related field.
Reasonable knowledge and understanding of university policies and procedures.
Experience Experienced (minimum 2 years of job-related experience)
Minimum of two (2) to five (5) years of experience working as a fundraising professional in direct major donor solicitations in excess of $25,000 or equivalent experience as a fundraising professional at another institution operating in a similar capacity.
Direct experience preparing proposals and conducting major gift solicitations required.
Higher education development and prior volunteer management experience preferred.
Professional understanding of, and interest in, Development and Alumni Affairs best practices and general operations. Familiarity with, and interest in, trends and best practices related to major gift solicitation. Positive and collaborative professional philosophy, recognizing that this position is integral to the achievement of the goals and objectives of Development and Alumni Affairs.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
ANALYTICAL AND PRESENTATION SKILLS: Ability to evaluate, interpret, and present complex information effectively in professionally prepared documents or presentations. Must possess a demonstrated attention to detail in order to achieve a high degree of accuracy.
COLLABORATION: Exhibits a willingness to partner with units across the university with integrity and high character to reach unified goals. Possesses the ability to navigate difficult situations with grace and understanding.
COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS: Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and professionally both orally and in writing. Strong interpersonal skills are a must. Demonstrates the ability to plan and deliver oral and written communications that are impactful and persuasive including presentations to university management and committees.
LEARNING AGILITY: Independent and innovative self-starter who displays an ability to learn quickly and easily adapts to changing situations. Experience researching topics to gain knowledge and understanding when information gaps exist.
PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION: Ability to manage several projects simultaneously, prioritize and plan work activities while meeting respective deadlines. Strong organizational and time-management skills required. Demonstrated ability to manage and execute multiple creative projects in various media, often at the same time. Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a deadline-oriented environment.
TEAMWORK: Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues within the division and other units to gain full understanding of the project and desired outcome; ability to produce high quality and consistent results with assistance of team members; provide support to teammates when tackling complex projects.
TECHNICAL SKILLS: Proficient in the use of complex administrative systems software, preferably in the higher education environment. Proficient with Microsoft Office suite, especially Word, Excel and Teams. Ability to understand and translate complex concepts into lay terms.
Working Conditions
Normal office environment.
Adhere to confidentiality and data usage policy for the division.
This position requires a high level of commitment and enthusiasm. Due to travel requirements, evening meetings and special events, etc., candidate must be willing to work extended hours as needed.
Preferred qualifications:
School/College/Division:
H86 - Development & Alumni Affairs
Primary department:
H8605-Development
Employment type:
- Regular Employee
- Job type: Full Time
- Job category: Staff/Administrative
Funding/salary information:
- Compensation type: Annual Salary
- Hourly rate:
- Salary minimum: $60,000
- Salary hire maximum: $70,000
Working conditions:
Normal working conditions
Job openings:
- Number of openings: 1
- Reposted position: No
- Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
- Prior posting/requisition number:
Background check requirements:
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.
