Sr. Dir., Presidential Fundraising Initiatives & Cap. Campaign

Position Overview

The Senior Director for Presidential Fundraising Initiatives and Capital Campaign reports directly to the President of Merrimack College and will focus on managing a portfolio of trustees, family foundations, corporate and VIP donors as well as directing institutional capital campaign efforts from silent through public phases. In close partnership with the President, this individual will work with a portfolio of prospects, donors and sponsors who have the capacity to make transformational gifts to the College. Through cultivation, proposal development, solicitation, stewardship and general relationship building, this individual plays an important role in effectively engaging and responding to these individuals according to their interests and in alignment with the College’s mission to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives. In alignment with the College’s strategic priorities, this individual will also play an important role in institutional campaign planning and will direct and coordinate campaign efforts. Specifically, this individual will play an important role in creating a comprehensive campaign plan in partnership with the President and the Office of Development and Alumni Relations and will participate in setting campaign fundraising goals in alignment with the College’s funding priorities. Throughout the campaign, this individual will secure major gifts during the silent and public phases and will oversee all campaign activity and timelines to ensure timely execution and to facilitate coordination between the Office of the President, Office of Development and Alumni Relations and other involved departments and colleagues across the College (research, academic schools, corporate relations etc.). In September 2024, the College will publicly launch Together We Rise, a capital campaign with a fundraising goal of $150 million. With campaign planning already underway, this individual will have the opportunity to contribute to finalizing campaign planning and will play a major role in launching Together We Rise.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Works closely with the President of the College to establish and set direction for a comprehensive principal gift program. Leads the implementation and management of the program.

• Participates in institutional campaign planning and directs, manages and coordinates campaign activity between the Office of the President and the Office of Development and Alumni Relations.

• In partnership with the President, manages a portfolio of approximately 50+ prospects and donors (including trustees, family foundations and corporate partnerships) who represent the most influential and highly valued College donors.

• Develops cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies for donors with a high level of customization and personalization as best suited to each individual.

• Builds and manages a network of relationships with donors (prospective and active) to promote and foster positive relations and engagement with the Merrimack community.

• Develops and implements a planned travel (local and national) schedule to meet with prospects and donors, aligned with strategies and outcomes with the President.

• Accompanies the President on visits and travel and prepares briefing documents accordingly for the President and other senior leaders as needed.

• Prepares proposals for the solicitation of prospective donors using templates and tools available in Canva. Collaborates with central Marketing Communications as needed.

• Evaluates the principal gift program on an ongoing basis through qualitative and quantitative performance metrics, including measurable targets for the fiscal year (e.g., personal visits, stewardship activities, solicitations).

• Monitors and reports progress towards achieving revenue goals regularly.

• Documents all prospect and donor activity and moves using Slate and adheres to the College's prospect management guidelines and protocol.

• Attends meetings, gatherings and College sponsored events and athletic events with the President.

• Collaborates with Advancement, Events and Stewardship as appropriate.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree is required.

• Strong working knowledge of industry best practices relevant to the successful cultivation and solicitation of high-level prospects and benefactors for leadership and principal gifts.