Senior Major Gifts Officer

DESCRIPTION:
The Senior Major Gifts Officer is responsible for supporting the comprehensive development effort of York College of Pennsylvania, principally through cultivation and solicitation of individual prospects for major gifts. The Senior Major Gifts Officer will hold a portfolio of alumni, parent, and friend who best show capability of providing major funding to York College. Face-to-face donor contact will be a primary goal, and regional and local travel will be required. They will also coordinate with other development and alumni relations staff to create and sustain programs that will help the College attract new donors and improve relationships with existing donors. Visibility in the York community desirable. The Senior Major Gifts Officer will also manage other gift officers, including the Leadership Giving Officer and Corporate & Foundation Giving Officer.

OUTCOMES:
Regular assessment of progress toward specific goals established at the beginning of each year will include, but not be limited to, the following indicators of success:

• All portfolio prospects must be seen annually, portfolio size will average 75-90 prospects
• Minimum 150 face to face cultivation/solicitation meetings 
• Minimum 20 major gift proposals submitted annually
• Minimum 80 discovery and qualification conversations annually, insuring the continuous development of the college’s prospects.  
• Success in collaboration with colleagues in the design and implementation of fundraising programs
• Success in mentoring the development and work of gifts officer(s).

Major Gift Cultivation and Solicitation     40%

• Secure and execute personal visits with portfolio prospects through phone contact, correspondence, and networking.
• Plan and oversee small group gatherings.
• Coordinate prospect interaction with other community and campus spheres of influence.
• Recruit new volunteers.
• Compose and present formal gift proposals. 

Major Gift Strategy and Planning      20%

• With the help of Advancement Services, identify prospects and compile a rated and ranked portfolio and effectively manage portfolio to assure that quality and amount of time given to prospects is consistent with their rating.  Plan fiscal year activity to mesh with established departmental matrix and expectations.  

• Participate in Moves Management discussions with fellow gift officers and the Vice President.                                                    
• Plan travel to maximize extent and quality of prospect contact.

Prospect Follow-up     20%

• Write timely and informative action reports using Raiser’s Edge NXT.
• Draft appropriate thank you and follow-up correspondence after donor interaction.

Manage Gift Officer(s)     10%

• Discuss strategy and best practices with gift officers. Participate in Moves Management discussions and provide guidance to younger staff members to improve success.  
• Potentially travel with gift officers to put theory into practice.

Other Development Duties      10%

• Attend all major Development events and key alumni relations events. Involvement in the York community.  
• Support of other fundraising programs and activities as directed.

• 4-Year College degree
• Minimum of five years of experience in major gift development, preferably in a higher education setting, and,
• Three to five years of supervisory experience. 
• Knowledge of the York region preferred.  

• Knowledge of and aptitude for personal client contact work applicable to development and alumni relations
• Familiarity with major gift and planned giving policies and practices 
• Excellent communication skills, in person, over the telephone, and in writing are mandatory.  Demonstrated skill writing solicitation letters, composing grant requests, or preparing closely related documents is important.
• Demonstrated comfort and skill in dealing with individuals of means, and their advisors, in social as well as in corporate settings.
• Working knowledge of computer applications for fund raising, sales management or a closely related field.  Knowledge of Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT enterprise management software extremely useful.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, to work in a fast-paced work environment, and to be flexible.  
• Ability to work effectively with faculty, upper-level administrators, professional and support staff, and with student workers. Collegiality and a sense of humor a must.
• Openness to constructive criticism. 
• Ability to manage, support and communicate goals and feedback to direct reports.