Major Gift Officer – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Major Gift Officer – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
Essential functions (job duties):
JOB PURPOSE
Support and participate in fundraising efforts, strategies and initiatives for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). Manage a prospect portfolio to achieve fundraising and contact goals annually. Cultivate, solicit and steward major gift donors to meet established fundraising goals within the allocated expense budget. This position reports to the Senior Director, Major Gifts – College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
(Essential functions are the primary duties/major job responsibilities that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The essential functions are listed in order of importance.)
Essential Functions % Time
Collaborate with Senior Director, Dean, Chairs and Faculty in identifying fundraising needs and priorities for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Implement major gift fundraising plans and strategies; establish realistic and achievable timelines; remain current with fundraising trends and serve as a resource on successful development activities, techniques and methods. 25%
Manage a prospect portfolio to achieve fundraising and contact goals annually. Establish and implement prospect qualification, cultivation, and solicitation strategies with a particular focus on securing commitments of $25,000+. Engage division leadership and college-based colleagues as appropriate to support prospect strategies.
25%
Responsible for achieving annual fundraising goal and assisting in meeting unit and division goals; allocating and prioritizing time and resources to achieve the greatest return on investment. Performance and productivity will be measured on the following core metrics as determined annually:
Dollars raised for campaign gift commitments
Number of major gift solicitations of $25,000+
Number of major gift closures at $25,000+
Number of face-to-face prospect and donor meetings (in-person and virtual visits)
Number of meaningful, significant contacts each month 20%
Collaborate with other Development units (e.g. University-wide Philanthropy, Donor Experience, Planned Giving, Alumni Relations, Data Services, and Prospect Development) as well as other university units to ensure operational efficiencies within the unit. 15%
Draft and negotiate gift and pledge documentation ranging from simple to moderate complexity. Ensure timely routing of donor contributions to central development for processing. 10%
Perform other related duties as assigned. 5%
WORK CONTEXT
This grid characterizes the position scope.
Job Reports to: Senior Director/Chair
Leadership Accountability: Implements operating plans
Supervisory Accountability: None
Organizational Accountability: None
Financial Accountability: Monitors expenditures
Customer Accountability: Interfaces with customers outside the S/C/D
Freedom to Act: Subject to general input from supervisor
Unique duties:
Qualifications:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education Bachelor's degree
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in marketing, public relations, business administration or related field.
Reasonable knowledge and understanding of university policies and procedures.
Experience Experienced (minimum 2 years of job-related experience)
Minimum of two (2) to five (5) years of experience working as a fundraising professional in direct major donor solicitations in excess of $25,000 or equivalent experience as a fundraising professional at another institution operating in a similar capacity.
Direct experience preparing proposals and conducting major gift solicitations required.
Higher education development and prior volunteer management experience preferred.
Professional understanding of, and interest in, Development and A