Director, Major & Planned Giving

 Summary

The Director of Major and Planned Giving is responsible for the overall management of the major and planned giving program (gifts of $25K plus) in support of the campaign for MICA. This individual will manage a personal portfolio of prospects, as well as work closely with faculty and staff, both within the division and around the College, to promote the acquisition of major gifts

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Manage the ongoing identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors and major gift prospects with a financial capacity to make gifts of $25,000 or more 

• Manage 2 major gift officers, the assistant director of stewardship, and support staff.Serve as a resource for integrating planned giving into major gift strategies where necessary and appropriate 

• Organize strategies and briefings for the President, Vice President, and other staff for solicitation of major donors 

• Develop and propose strategies for solicitation of major gifts, including: determining ongoing relationships with prospect/donor; recommending specific purpose and level of gift; identifying those to be involved in cultivation and subsequent solicitation; assuring that solicitations are carried out 

• Participate, as required, in Advancement Division team efforts including solicitation strategy teams for key prospects and internal planning efforts 

• Coordinate an effective program for recognition involvement and stewardship of major and special gifts donors in cogrdination with the Assistant Director of Stewardship 

• Meet with individual faculty members and directors to cultivate their role in development and activities and establish strong working relationship with campus community 

• In collaboration with the Vice President for Advancement and colleagues, build a major gift donor pool in support of the campaign for MICA; qualify and cultivate prospective donors 

• Work collaboratively with the Advancement team to ensure a strong donor pipeline and to increase the size and number of gifts to MICA on an annual basis 

•  Manage activities that support academic leadership in instances where there is an advancement agenda, including: providing briefings, staffing at events, scheduling meetings, and scheduling visits 

• Keep current on programs and faculty/research/student initiatives at the College and identify philanthropic opportunities that align with emerging initiatives as well as MICA's sponsored research agenda 

• Develop a comprehensive program for planned giving, that includes collaboration with the Communications Office and outside vendors, for website, print ads, testimonials, newsletters, and incorporating consistent planned giving messaging into all appropriate MICA communications 

• Diversify types of gifts MICA is equipped to accept by building process and infrastructure 

• Serve as the lead for Advancement on strategies and structuring complex gifts in collaboration with senior Advancement leadership, major gift officers, academic leadership, outside counsel, and the Finance Office 

• Write proposals and prepare planned giving illustrations 

• Revitalize the Mt. Royal Society as part of a comprehensive stewardship program in collaboration with the Assistant Director for Stewardship 

• Develop planned giving reporting formats for forecasting, analysis, and to reflect giving totals consistent with best practices and methods utilized by peer institutions 

• Provide regular training and education to staff and volunteer leadership on planned giving concepts and regulatory updates 

• Provide reporting and presentations for the Campaign and Development Committee meetings as needed 

• Perform other duties as assigned 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Proven track record of closing major, leadership, and planned gifts 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills 

• Ability to work with individuals at all levels of the organization 

• Ability to think strategically, design an effective campaign model utilizing a metrics driven approach 

• Ability to work both independently and in a collaborative environment 

• Experience training staff and volunteers in advancement principals 

• Ability to communicate effectively with others, solve problems, and contribute to a team environment 

• Ability to interpret and apply institutional policies and procedures 

 

Minimum qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field 

• Minimum of 10 years of increasingly responsible development experience 

• Experience working with donors and professional advisors on complex gifts that achieve complementary goals for the donor and the institution 

• Experience working on strategic priorities and managing projects with multiple stakeholders 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and database management 

 

Preferred qualifications: 

• Advanced degree in Law or Finance 

• Experience in a higher education setting 

• Familiarity with donor database computer systems (Raiser's Edge preferred) 

• Familiarity with the funding community 

 

Conditions of Employment: 

• Candidate must successfully complete a full background check 

Reporting to this position: Major Gifts Officers, Assistant Director Stewardship, Development Coordinator 

 

Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

 

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

• Work environment: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal. 

 

• Required training: Handbook orientation, Anti-Harassment, Hazard Communication, Emergency Plans & Fire Prevention, Personal Protection Equipment.   

 

Salary:  $76,100.00 - $98,900.00