Director of Major Gifts

About Salve Regina University:

Salve Regina University, ranked as one of the most transformative colleges in the United States by Money Magazine, is a comprehensive Catholic University located in the scenic coastal community of Newport, Rhode Island. The University's commitment to academic success and personal discovery extends beyond its historic campus into a dynamic world where the application of higher thinking and skill are most valued. Salve Regina offers bachelor's and master's degree programs, graduate certificates, and doctoral programs in humanities, international relations and nursing. Enrollment includes more than 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students from across the U.S. and around the world.


Job Description:

BASIC FUNCTION:

Salve Regina University is at an exciting time in its distinguished history with a 75th anniversary and a comprehensive fundraising campaign getting underway. The University seeks an experienced development professional ready and eager to embrace this opportunity as an integral member of Salve Regina's Advancement team. This professional will play an essential role in advancing the institution's Mercy mission; educating its constituency about leadership vision and funding priorities, along with inspiring impactful philanthropic support.

The Director of Major Gifts (DMG) serves as a front-line Major Gifts Officer to qualify, cultivate, and solicit high- to mid-level prospective donors in support of funding priorities of the University. The DMG will oversee the Major Gifts program and utilize a formal 'moves-management' system for all major and special gift solicitations.

Work with Advancement staff to ensure the growth of the University's Annual Fund as well as corporate support and sponsorships?as a foundation for growing the Major Gifts program. Working closely with the Assistant Vice President of Development and Planned Giving (AVP), the DMG will help plan and conduct elements of Salve's comprehensive campaign with special emphasis on alumni giving and parent giving. Collaborate with Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) and Advancement leadership to support donor cultivation and solicitation efforts with the President's office and Chancellor's Office.

The DMG will work closely with the CAO and AVP on support of the Major Gift staff members, including management of metrics that ensure success. This position will work closely with other Advancement directors to meet the goals of the division.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Foster a collaborative and empowering work environment rooted in Salve Regina University's Mercy mission: demonstrate empathic leadership in the management of direct reports and through the positive engagement of Advancement team members.
• Manage a personal portfolio of major, planned and blended gift prospective donors with a full schedule of discovery, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship visits. Conduct an average of 15 visits each month; meet revenue and participation targets set with the AVP.
• Supervise the Associate Director of Major Gifts. Clearly articulate activity and fundraising metrics to direct reports and regularly review progress toward these metrics.
• Working with the AVP, provide mentoring and support for Major Gift volunteers and committees.
• In collaboration with the AVP, and the Sr. Director of Annual Giving, develop plans to move mid-level Annual Fund prospects to higher level giving through personal visits, reunion giving and fundraising special events. Work with Annual Giving and Alumni & Parent Programs staff to promote peer to peer solicitations to grow the overall number of donors to the University.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

As assigned by the Assistant Vice President of Development and Planned Giving and Chief Advancement Officer.


Requirements:

• A Bachelor's degree is required with a minimum of five to seven years' experience in fundraising and with a solid track record of securing gifts at the 5, 6, (even 7) figure level.
• Candidate must have a demonstrated ability to design and implement effective cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies.
• Possess a strong work ethic supported by commitment and follow-through, and a strong commitment to Salve Regina's mission and values.
• Exceptional interpersonal, organizational and verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to be effective at engaging with all levels of the University, and all external constituents.
• Demonstrated ability to establish creditability and confidence with donors and prospective donors, and experience working with volunteers.
• Ability to work with ethnically, culturally, and socially diverse students, staff, faculty, and other constituencies.
• A willingness to travel and to participate regularly in events or activities - both on and off campus.
• Ability to work in an organization that emphasizes measurable objectives, including mutually agreed-upon individual goals, and team-wide goals for annual, major and planned gifts.
• Must have adept technology skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint). Moving CRM to Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT, so prior experience in this system is a plus.
• Willingness to travel as a representative of the University
• Requires occasional nights and/or weekend work

Additional Information:

Salve Regina University offers generous benefits to eligible employees including:

• health and dental coverage
• life insurance
• long-term disability
• 403B plan
• tuition benefits and more

Salve Regina University strives to provide equal opportunity in employment and education to all employees, students and applicants. No employee, student or applicant shall be discriminated against or harassed on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, age, marital or parental status, military or veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal or state law, in the administration of Salve Regina's employment policies, education policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other University administered programs. In accordance with Title IX, it does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any of its educational programs or activities. Salve Regina is also committed to making its programs and campus accessible to its visitors and compliant with all applicable non-discrimination laws.


Application Instructions:

Applicants must apply online for any open staff and faculty positions by providing a cover-letter and resume. Pre-employment background checks and reference checks are required of successful candidates. Salve Regina University participates in E-verify.

URL: www.salve.edu