Major Gift Officer

Primary Function:

The Advancement Officer cultivates relationships with alumni, parents, and friends of the University in order to solicit financial support from a pool of prospective donors with the capacity to make gifts in the $50K to $1M+ range.

• Career Band: 2E
• FLSA Status: Exempt/Salary
• Work Location: On-site is preferred 
• Work Year: Full year
• Work Schedule: Full time/40 hours per week
• Position Reports To: Director of Major Gifts

Typical Duties & Responsibilities:

•  Maintains oversight of, and regular, robust activity with, a pool of approximately 180 leadership-level prospective donors, including the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of gifts (including estate gifts) at the $50K and above level.

• Builds and advances strong professional relationships with alumni, parents, and friends of the University that result in philanthropic contributions.

•  Organizes and plans travel to strategically and efficiently visit at least 175 donors and prospective donors annually.

•  Develops and maintains comprehensive knowledge of Sewanee’s fundraising priorities and serves as a resource, advocate, and spokesperson for advancement programs at the University.

• Works independently and creatively to match donor interests with institutional priorities, develop funding proposals, and negotiate & structure complex gifts.

• Prepares briefings, stewardship plans/letters, and other correspondence for prospective donors, collaborating with other Advancement colleagues and University staff as appropriate.

• Ensures the timely capture and recording of data relating to the assigned prospect pool.

• Maintains in-depth knowledge of the University’s academic and extra-curricular programs and key faculty and administrators; may serve as an Advancement liaison to a specific institutional program area.

• Collaborates with other Advancement colleagues on special fundraising projects and/or events.

• Supports the Sewanee Fund staff by personally encouraging each of their assigned donors/prospective donors to make a gift to the Sewanee Fund each year and to make special gifts during reunion years.

• Utilizes appropriate technology to consistently and promptly accomplish follow-up tasks (including call reports and correspondence)

• Works cooperatively and collaboratively with others and accepts direction from supervisors. 

Machines & Equipment Used: 

• Personal computer, 
• Vehicle, 
• Cell phone, 
• Printer, 
• Internet and, 
• Various software packages.

Judgment Required: 

Performance of the essential duties of this position depends on being relational, highly motivated, emotionally intelligent, achievement-oriented, ethically grounded, inquisitive, and extremely organized with attention to detail, goals, and deadlines.

Personal Interaction/Communication:

• Student Contact: Minimal
• Internal: Faculty, Staff, Executive Office
• External: Potential & Existing Donors, Parents, Alumni, Friends, Visitors

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required, 
• Knowledge of institutional advancement and advanced fundraising techniques or related work is a plus. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and relational/development databases, such as Blackbaud or Salesforce.

Experience:

5+ years of progressive experience and training in development or fundraising fields, or sales or other related work, is a plus.

Job-Related Skills:

Excellent organizational, verbal, written communication, interpersonal, analytical, reasoning, problem-solving, and time management skills. Willingness and ability to travel extensively.

Confidential Information:

• Giving histories, 
• Contact reports and 
• Wealth screening information

Working Environment:

• General office 
• Extensive travel

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time 
• Must be able to walk for extended periods of time 
• Must be able to use hands for repetitive tasks, 
• Must be able to push and/or pull objects, 
• Must be able to lift between 21-50 pounds (Medium work), 
• Must be able to carry between 21-50 pounds (Medium work)

Any additional requirements specific to this position:

• Significant travel required, 
• Night and weekend.
• Work required for events.