Major Gift Officer – Planned Giving, University Advancement

The Major Gift Officer reports to the Associate Vice President, Planned Giving & Major Gifts, and is responsible for managing relationships with major gift prospects determined to have the ability to make gifts at or above the $25,000 level.

This position is charged with developing and implementing strategies for securing financial support from a portfolio of prospects, approximately 150-180, including identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts for Duquesne University from alumni and friends.

Major gift officers work independently and also as members of the University Advancement team and coordinate their activities with those of other units in University Advancement and other units at the University.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Works independently and is self-motivated in initiating contact with potential donors.

Manages a caseload of active major gift prospects and implements and executes strategies for solicitation of these prospects, ensuring regular interaction through face-to-face meetings, mail/email/telephone, online meetings, campus meetings, and events.

Assumes and achieves annual fundraising activity and performance goals, including 100 to 120 in-person prospect meetings; submission of 10-20 major gift-level proposals; an average accepted gift range of $25,000 to $500,000 in new commitments; and total dollars raised of $1,000,000 or more.

Drafts contemporaneous briefings; contact reports, gift and solicitation strategies, proposals, and other correspondence for prospects; processes gift commitments expeditiously.

Makes numerous decisions on portfolio management, including donor cultivation, proposal and solicitation planning, and relationship management, both internally and externally. Effectively manages use of travel time and travel and entertainment budget.

Work collegially with the development team, key administrators, and volunteers in creating and implementing strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and closure.

Schedules own travel using a P-Card and reconciles all transactions in Chrome River in a timely manner.

Completes other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.

Valid driver's license.

Willingness and ability to travel frequently to conduct face-to-face meetings and attend events both locally and out-of-state.

Preferred qualifications:

Proven experience (minimum three years) in major individual gift fundraising, preferably in higher education and in cultivating and soliciting prospects capable of six-to-seven-figure gifts.

Knowledge of IRS and FASB laws, rules, and regulations, and thorough knowledge of fundraising and solicitation policies, procedures, and methods.

Broad knowledge of principles of fundraising and an ability to participate in all aspects of the gift cycle.

Expertise and facility with Banner, MS Office suite (especially Excel) Slate, or similar CRM.

Ability to act as a proactive “prospector” who can handle duties beyond direct fundraising that ultimately support alumni/friend discovery, cultivation and engagement, eventually resulting in higher levels of philanthropy.

Ability and willingness to perform and embrace other duties as assigned or directed.

Emotional intelligence.

Excellent organizational, project management, multi-tasking, and leadership skills.

Exceptional communication (verbal/written), listening, and follow-through skills; collegial and respectful manner.

Ability to work independently within the boundaries of established University policies and procedures and the development practices and codes of conduct from CASE and AFP.

Impeccable integrity and high ethical standards.

Demonstrated experience in consistently meeting deadlines/deliverables and standards for quality work.

Entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving and demonstrated success in exceeding goals and expectations.

Experience and comfort level with databases and systems.

Sensitivity to the need of each individual to be treated with dignity and respect as it relates to diversity in general and the Mission of the University specifically.

Alternately, the successful candidate may possess any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Commitment to the University’s values of diversity, equity and inclusion, and recognition of the importance of treating each individual with dignity and respect consistent with the University’s Mission. Demonstrated experience with, and understanding of, the broad diversity of the University community (students, faculty, staff and others).

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the University Community.

Ability and willingness to contribute actively to the mission of the University and to respect the Spiritan Catholic identity of Duquesne University. The mission is implemented through a commitment to academic excellence, a spirit of service, moral and spiritual values, sensitivity to world concerns, and an ecumenical campus community.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Catholic in its mission and ecumenical in spirit, Duquesne University values equality of opportunity as an educational institution and as an employer. We aspire to attract and sustain a diverse faculty and staff that reflects contemporary society, serves our academic goals and enriches our campus community. We particularly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups and support dual-career couples through our charter membership in this region's HERC (http://www.hercjobs.org/oh-western-pa-wv/).

We invite applicants for this position to learn more about our university and its Spiritan heritage by visiting http://www.duq.edu/about/mission-and-identity/mission-statement. Those invited to campus for an interview may be asked about ways in which they see their talents contributing to the continued growth of our community and furthering its mission.

Duquesne University was founded in 1878 by its sponsoring religious community, the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. Duquesne University is Catholic in mission and ecumenical in spirit. Motivated by its Catholic identity, Duquesne values equality of opportunity both as an educational institution and as an employer.