What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Major Gifts position at Middle Georgia State University?
About Us
Middle Georgia State University (MGA), a multi-campus, baccalaureate and graduate degree granting public institution, is the most affordable public state university in Georgia. MGA has five campuses-Macon, Cochran, Dublin, Eastman, and Warner Robins, all located in central Georgia-and global outreach through its fully-online campus. Its enrollment of 8,000 students is largely comprised of students from most of Georgia's 159 counties. The University has six academic schools, including Georgia's flagship aviation university, that support its mission to educate and graduate inspired, lifelong learners whose scholarship and careers enhance the state.
Job Summary
This position is responsible for conducting fundraising and philanthropic efforts on behalf of the university. Assists in identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting current and prospective donors. Manages a portfolio of donors with capacity to make gifts of $5,000 or more.
Responsibilities
Actively manage a focused portfolio of major gift prospects and donors by guiding their cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship while at the same time setting goals to expand the base of major gift prospects:
- Advance individual relationships that result in philanthropic contributions for the university
- Organize in-person visits between prospects and key university personnel for purposes of cultivating relationships and making solicitations.
- Manage and solicit a portfolio of 125-150 major gift prospective and current donors, conducting at least 150 personal visits annually.
- Devise personalized engagement plans for each assigned prospect that include strategies of engagement and solicitations.
- Give presentations to communicate the fundraising priorities and needs for Middle Georgia State University
- Travel to visit with donors within the state of Georgia and bordering states.
Operations (20%) -
Attend and participate in University Advancement meetings.
Gather, record, and properly store information about prospects and donors utilizing the Raiser's Edge database to manage prospective donor strategies and moves, documenting all prospect interactions in a complete and timely fashion.
Other duties as may be assigned by the Executive Director of Development
Special Events (5%) -
Assist with foundation and alumni events and projects.
Required Qualifications
Educational Requirements
Minimum of a baccalaureate degree.
Other Required Qualifications
Ability to manage an active portfolio of 125-150 major gift prospects in all aspects of the development cycle.
Ability to develop, maintain and grow interpersonal relationships including with university alumni, donors, friends, corporate partners, administrators, faculty, and staff.
Knowledgeable of donor database, contact management and tracking systems, preferably Raisers Edge
Willingness to be hands-on in a role that is demanding and requires a high level of energy and professionalism.
Excellent organizational and project management skills and ability to prioritize workload in a timely manner to complete assignments with many deadlines and competing requirements.
Ability to communicate well, and build rapport quickly with donors, faculty, and colleagues.
Required Experience
Minimum of 3-5 years (direct or equivalent) experience managing high level donor relationships with demonstrated success in closing gifts of $10,000 and above.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
Knowledge of development and fundraising program principles and best practices.
Knowledge of marketing principles and methods.
Knowledge of the principles and practices involved in the solicitation and securing of major gifts.
Skill in collaborating with multiple constituents.
Skill in the operation of computers and job-related software programs.
Skill in decision-making and problem solving.
Skill in interpersonal relations and in dealing with the public.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Ability to synthesize and make data driven decisions.
USG Core Values
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.
Institutional Values
Middle Georgia State University is committed to four core values in what we do and represent: CORE VALUES: Stewardship - Engagement - Adaptability - Learning
Equal Employment Opportunity
Middle Georgia State University is an equal employment, equal access, and equal educational opportunity. It is the policy of the Middle Georgia State University to recruit, hire, train, promote and educate persons without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status as required by applicable state and federal laws (including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Sections 503, and 504, ADEA, ADA, E.O. 11246, and Rev. Proc. 75-50).
For questions or more detailed information regarding this policy, please contact the Middle Georgia State University Office of Human Resources at 478.471.2010. Individuals requiring disability related accommodations for participation in any event or to obtain print materials in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources.
Other Information
This is a full-time, 12-month, exempt (salaried) staff position and includes a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits include:
- Health insurance
- Dental
- Vision
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Life Insurance
- Sick Leave
- Vacation Leave
- Parental Leave
- Retirement
- Employee discounts
- Tuition reimbursement
Background Check
Employment offer is contingent upon completing a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your employment eligibility with MGA, as determined by MGA in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application material and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check.
