Director of Major Gifts

Posting Details

Position Information

Job Title Director of Major Gifts Posting Number 20110396 Pay Rate Position Type Administration

Position Summary Information

Key Responsibilities
Primary Role
The individual holding the Director of Major Gifts position is primarily responsible for developing and managing relationships and securing support from donors who are capable of making gifts of $100,000 to $1M.

This individual will manage a personal portfolio of 150-200 prospects, as well as mentor assistant and associate major gift officers as able. This individual will assist in the planning and evolution of major gift fundraising for Juniata College. A Director of Major Gifts will work closely with faculty and staff, both within the division and around the College, to promote the acquisition of major gifts.

The individual in this position also will work closely with Career Development & Alumni Engagement, Annual Giving, and Stewardship to ensure coordination amongst individual giving programs.

This officer must be able to work independently while also working as a member of the advancement team.

The candidate will be an individual with a rich development background, who has had progressive and successful development experience in major gifts and who has a strong track record of performing in a team-centered management context. The ideal candidate cares deeply about the development profession and has worked in higher education.

1. Identify and meet with individuals, groups and prospective donors for cultivation of relationships, solicitation and gift planning. Listen to needs and priorities of stakeholders. Communicate needs and goals of Juniata College.
2. Collaborate with the Advancement and Marketing Divisions, and members of the major gifts team in creating strategies to increase engagement and philanthropic activities of new and loyal alumni, parents and friends, especially in relation to capital and campaign projects, in conjunction with on-going support and activities to the ensure growth in the Juniata Scholarship Fund and other annual giving initiatives.
3. Solicit major gifts of $25,000 and above, with primary focus on solicitations of $100,000 and above, maintain a portfolio of approximately 150-200 alumni, parents and friends for major and planned gifts, and identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward these important constituents.
4. Plan/oversee unique fundraising programs and activities (such as 50th class reunion gift projects, other assigned class reunions or campus projects) including management of volunteers, reunion committees and special events.
5. Develop and propose strategies for solicitation of major gifts, including: determining ongoing relationships with prospect/donor; recommending specific purpose and level of gift; identifying those to be involved in cultivation and subsequent solicitation; assuring that solicitations are carried out.
   
   

Juniata College believes in and embraces the liberal arts and as such, we encourage and seek mutual benefit through diversity of thought and approach which enriches our academic community, as well as the lives of our students and colleagues. Juniata College is committed to creating a welcoming community supported by relationships based on collaboration and mutual respect. We endeavor to create an inclusive learning environment where members with different perspectives and backgrounds can learn, contribute, and thrive. Please join us…

AA/ EOE

Position Qualifications

• BS/BA is required with a minimum of five or more years of direct fundraising experience preferred. An advanced degree or CFRE is desirable.
• Demonstrated leadership and the ability to successfully manage multi-functional or diverse areas.
• Ability to see and understand the objectives of the major gifts group, the individual giving group and the advancement division, and to integrate the major gifts program with those objectives.
• Ability to initiate, analyze, monitor, evaluate and alter strategic advancement plans.
• Ability to articulate the case for support so that individuals “buy into” the vision/mission/goals of the college and understand with sufficient effectiveness to secure gifts and pledges of $100,000 or more.
• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, analytical and organization skills required.
• Knowledge of tax laws that impact charitable giving, personal assets and estates.
• In addition to these general skills, the position requires the ability to participate in all aspects of the gift cycle: (1) to initiate contacts with potential major donors; (2) to develop appropriate cultivation strategies for them, including working with volunteers; (3) to move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure; (4) to make solicitations when appropriate; (5) to maintain stewardship contacts with donors.
• Must have a driver’s license.
• A working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Ability to excel independently within a broad strategic framework and institutional priorities while demonstrating success working cooperatively and collaboratively with numerous and diverse individuals and groups.
• Willingness to travel extensively at the local, regional and national levels (including air travel) and a flexibility of schedule, including evening events and weekend work, are required.

Supervision Required/Given

• Must work collaboratively and cooperatively with numerous and diverse individuals and groups, including on-going consultation with other major gift officers.
• Reports to the Assistant Vice President for Development.

Preferred Qualifications Physical Demands Special Instructions to Applicants
To promote and sustain the health and safety of our campus community, Juniata College has adopted a Covid-19 vaccine mandate for all Faculty, staff and students. Exemptions to this mandate will be considered for bona fide medical, and religious reasons. Weekly testing will be required for the unvaccinated. Those granted exceptions for reasons other than approved medical or religious exemption will be assessed a monthly testing fee.

Selection of the final candidate is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check

Posting Detail Information

Open Date 01/24/2022 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
   • Walk-In
   • Government Employment Agency
   • Private Employment Agency
   • Employee (please explain in follow up question)
   • Relative (please explain in follow up question)
   • School
   • Advertisement - Source (please explain in follow up question)
   • Other (please explain in follow up question)
2. If you were referred by a person, advertisement or other, please explain here:
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   

Applicant Documents
Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. List of 3 References

Optional Documents