Senior Director of Major Gifts

Department
Development Office

Senior Director of Major Gifts is a senior member of the Development team, reporting to and advising the Associate Vice President for Advancement. They are responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding gifts from individuals (including alumni and friends) – focusing on large major and transformational gifts ($100,000 or more) and planned gift interest and capacity.

The position plans, manages, and directs development efforts in concert with University Advancement goals and will “team” with the appropriate Development, Annual Giving, and Alumni Relations teams for various projects and events. These efforts support programmatic initiatives, capital projects, academic/athletic departments and scholarships. The Senior Director of Major Gifts will prepare and maintain a strategic fundraising plan that is consistent with Advancement initiatives, and which support the University’s strategic plan and the Roadrunners Rise Comprehensive Campaign.

In addition to raising money, this individual will supervise, coach and manage four major gift officers with varying degrees of experience. The emphasis in this management role is developing top talent and helping the gift officers grow in their role and achieve whatever professional development goals they set for themselves.

The Senior Director of Major Gifts will closely monitor fundraising goal acquisition for the team.

Metropolitan State University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer.

Duties/Responsibilities

75% Fundraising

•Actively manage a portfolio of 50-75 individual major and transformational gift donors.

•Achieve annual goals related to donor visits, solicitations, and gifts and pledges closed.

•Generate major gift strategies and proposals that directly support the University’s top fundraising priorities based on its strategic plan and major initiatives.

•Collaborate with campaign leadership as assigned to engage volunteers in the identification, cultivation, or solicitation of major gift prospects.

•Engage various University faculty and administrative leaders in partnerships to cultivate or solicit major gift donors.

•Collaborate with the staff, faculty, volunteers, and U.A. Research to expand, qualify, and diversify the donor base and prospect pipeline for identified initiatives

25% Management and Team Leadership

•Oversee development dashboards and reports tracking fundraising activity.

•Lead a team of several major gift fundraisers in setting and achieving their goals related to donor visits, solicitations, and gifts and pledges closed.

•Lead donor strategy meetings to drive strategy needed to attain fundraising goals

•Assist in representing major gift team as an active participant on various task forces or committees as assigned.

•Advise the AVP of Advancement and other administrative staff on the status of fundraising performance, staff-related matters, and campus updates.

•Work with the AVP to create an ambitious and achievable fundraising plan to meet goals, including informational and solicitation meetings with donors and organizations and minimal event support.

Required Qualifications

•Bachelor’s degree.

•7 years of professional fundraising experience in higher education or other non-profits with demonstrated success in personally soliciting and closing six and seven-figure gifts or related experience.

•Experience building and leading teams in achieving measurable results.

•Experience working with university or non-profit faculty and staff on conceptualizing and implementing complex plans to raise funds for organizational priorities.

•Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to engage, influence, and build effective, goal-oriented relationships.

•Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as an integral member of a team.

Preferred Qualifications

•10 years of professional fundraising experience in higher education or other non-profits.

•At least 2 years of supervisory experience with major gift fundraisers, including experience with developing talent, establishing goals and objectives, setting performance standards, and holding direct reports accountable to meeting those standards.

•Experience working productively with volunteers on advisory or development/foundation boards to achieve fundraising goals.

•At least 5 years of experience using Microsoft Office Suite software and Raiser’s Edge or similar fundraising software.

Salary for Announcement
The salary range for this position is $90,600 - $130,000 .

Pay Grade: 22
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, training, and qualifications. MSU Denver offers excellent benefits that include medical, dental, retirement, tuition benefit, RTD pass, and more. For a brief overview of these options, please visit our Benefits section.
Work Hours/Type Subject to negotiation and approval.

Instructions to Apply

Complete applications received by June 30, 2023 at 11:59 PM MST will receive full consideration, but applications will be accepted after this date until the position is filled.

All applications must be submitted through the university's online application system, https://www.msudenver.edu/careers/.

Please provide a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for three professional references (at least one reference provided must be a supervisor, either current or former).
Official transcripts will be required of the candidate selected for hire.

Closing Date

Open Until Filled

Posting RepresentativeSophia J Montano

Posting Representative Emailsmontan7@msudenver.edu

Benefits

MSU Denver is pleased to offer our current and potential employees a wide array of benefit options. To learn more, please visit the following link:

Employee Benefits Offerings

Diversity Statement

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of nearly 50% first generation students and over 45% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution located in downtown Denver.

We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.