Leadership Gifts Officer

Description

Qualifications REPORTS TO : Director of Leadership & Planned Giving

LOCATION : 1025 E. South River Street, Appleton, WI

ABOUT US

The Office of University Advancement advances and amplifies the mission, purposes, and goals of Lawrence University through fundraising and partnerships, volunteer leadership support, and alumni and community engagement.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

The Leadership Gifts Officer ( LGO ) is a member of the Advancement team who contributes actively to the success of the Leadership Gifts program as well as the university’s overall fundraising success – through collaborative and individual strategy and execution. The LGO carries a portfolio and is responsible for strategy, execution, and results of qualification, cultivation, and solicitation of individual Leadership Giving prospects and donors. Further, along with all fundraising colleagues, the LGO is expected to contribute substantively to strategy, execution, and results for the Legacy Circle (planned giving), which should be a growing membership.

DUTIES

• Collaborates with Advancement colleagues on qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies both comprehensively – collaborating across all levels and modes of giving – and specifically for Leadership Gifts.
• Participates in regular team portfolio and gift strategy check-ins / progress updates led by the AVP for Advancement Services.
• Qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards prospects and donors at the major / leadership gift level ($25K-$250K and higher) for the university’s strategic priorities and secures Planned Gifts with intentionality and Lawrence Fund (annual fund) contributions where appropriate.
• Meets with 120 prospect annually.
• Supports, as needed, the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts of key university volunteers, including alumni committees / boards and others by developing strategy, briefing documents, letters and other correspondences as well as assistance with donor / prospect-focused events.
• Ensures collaboratively (with Advancement Services team) efficient and accurate recording, accounting, acknowledgement, and execution of gifts received by the university.
• Supports the fundraising of Reunion and Class volunteer teams as assigned.
• Participates in professional forums, conferences, associations, and platforms as appropriate and shares pertinent information, trends, concepts, and technologies learned with other Advancement colleagues.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The LGO reports to the Director of Leadership & Planned Giving. S / he works collaboratively with other gift officers, all members of the Leadership and Planned Giving team, and the full Advancement team. Additionally, the LGO interacts with colleagues across the university, particularly all members of the Advancement team, the Office of the President, the Office of Finance and Administration, faculty, staff, alumni, students, trustees, donors, prospects, parents, community members, and friends of the university.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS REQUIRED

Bachelor’s degree required with at least five years of senior-level fundraising experience with demonstrated results securing leadership gifts. Demonstrated expertise in planned giving preferred. Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of significant issues in higher education— particularly as related to a liberal arts college and conservatory of music setting—preferred.

BENEFITS

APPLICATIONS

With great enthusiasm, we encourage applications from individuals who are committed to the mission and values of the university and the Advancement team and who will support and contribute to an inclusive community of belonging for students, colleagues, alumni, donors, university friends, and others.

For questions, please contact Chuck Demler at . Please submit applications with a cover letter via https : / / lawrence.peopleadmin.com by January 31, 2025 for best consideration.

Posting Detail Information Posting Number S517P Number of Vacancies 2 Posting Date Best Consideration Date 01 / 31 / 2025 Close Date Open Until Filled Special Instructions Summary Anticipated Number of Hours per Week 40

Salary : $25,000 - $250,000