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Leadership Gift Officer

Employer
Colby College
Location
Maine, United States
Salary
Salary Not specified
Closing date
Dec 6, 2022

View more

Position Type
Fundraising, Major Gifts
Fields
Education
Employment Type
Full Time
Job Description Department:

Leadership Gifts

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Employee Type: Job Summary:

College Advancement
Full-Time, Exempt, Salaried, Administrative Staff Appointment

Colby College has partnered with Aspen Leadership Group in the search for a Leadership Giving Officer. You may view the position prospectus or submit an application via this link: https://opportunities.aspenleadershipgroup.com/opportunities/1151.
 

Over the past five years, outreach efforts to communicate the value and impact of a Colby education have resulted in more than doubling the number of students seeking admission to Colby and setting several institutional records for funds raised. Major initiatives made possible through Colby’s campaign, Dare Northward, are enriching the student experience and positioning Colby’s home city, Waterville, as a destination for the arts and culture.

 

Propelled by visionary leadership, a compelling array of initiatives, and record fundraising in fiscal year 2017, Colby  launched the largest fundraising campaign ever at a liberal arts college—$750 million—in October 2017. With the success of the Dare Northward campaign, the College will be known for a distinctive set of multidisciplinary academic offerings; an even more cohesive and accessible institutional culture for students from all backgrounds; the foremost art and athletic and recreation facilities in the educational sector; a welcoming, thriving, and dynamic surrounding community; increased global connections and resulting perspectives; the richest set of universal student experiences to enhance the Colby academic program; and the capacity to support the postgraduate success of every one of their students.

 

Thus far, more than 24,000 alumni and friends have made donations in support of initiatives such as the downtown Waterville revitalization, academic partnerships, financial aid, and global experiences and internships—collectively raising more than $625 million to date toward the Dare Northward campaign. Furthermore, Colby has increased annual giving from approximately $6-million to over $11-million in 2020. At the same time the College’s cash and assets have grown from $20-million annually to over $70-million in 2020. With over 60 $1-million+ donors to the Dare Northward campaign and 15 donors at over $5 million, Colby is poised to exceed the $750 million goal. Colby now ranks as a national leader among the nation’s colleges and universities in alumni giving participation. To learn about the Colby Dare Northward campaign, visit https://darenorthward.colby.edu/.

 

This is an exciting and defining moment in Colby’s history, and the position offers a unique opportunity to be part of an ambitious and transformational campaign. We encourage inquiries from candidates who will contribute to the diversity of our College, including its cultural and ethnic diversity.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Build and expand the engagement of Colby’s leadership prospect pool; identify strategies and opportunities to align prospects with various College priorities as a key component of the comprehensive campaign
  • Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of current and prospective alumni and parent donors; create written strategic action plans for top prospects with the intent of deepening relationships on behalf of the College, leading to increased comprehensive giving including annual, capital, and deferred gifts
  • Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of Colby’s strategic priorities and goals
  • Manage proactively a portfolio of individual donors and prospects seeking gifts in support of College priorities at $100,000 and above as a critical component of Colby’s comprehensive campaign
  • Attain an annual visit goal of 190 and achieve annual personal and team revenue goals
  • Partner with colleagues in gift planning to effectively devise appropriate donor-centered giving vehicles, follow up on requests for information, and provide stewardship to Colby Legacy Society members
  • Partner with the Colby Fund, Reunion ,and Family Philanthropy teams to ensure good communication in the cultivation and solicitation of alumni and family Colby Fund donors and in maximizing Colby Fund contributions from all donors
  • Create opportunities to engage the president, trustees, visitors, campaign volunteers, faculty, and staff members in the cultivation and, where appropriate, the solicitation of current and potential donors
  • Participate in the execution of events and programs in support of advancement activities; engage key volunteers and effectively utilize events and other activities to move solicitations forward
  • Conduct appropriate stewardship activities to further enhance the relationship between assigned donors and Colby; initiate and maintain contact to promote positive donor relations
  • Qualify prospects for potential major gift capacity and interest; provide appropriate background on prospects to be assigned to leadership gift portfolios
  • Cultivate strong working relationships with colleagues within the Division of College Advancement, as well as with faculty and leaders across campus
  • Participate in professional development training offered by the College, Division of College Advancement, and professional associations to enhance expertise and skills
  • Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience
  • 3-5 years of fundraising or related experience; experience soliciting and closing major gifts
  • Understanding of moves management systems and ability to think and work strategically
  • Superb written and oral communication skills
  • Entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering commitment to elevating work through innovative strategies for deepened donor engagement
  • Appreciation of Colby’s mission and the ability to effectively communicate it
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively and successfully as a member of a diverse community with colleagues, prospects/donors, faculty, administrators, and volunteers to achieve common goals
  • Willingness and ability to work outside normal working hours
  • Must be willing to travel; valid driver’s license required and must meet the College’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements

 

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

Reporting to the director of leadership gifts, the leadership gift officer will have direct contact with division leadership, president, trustees, campaign cabinet, senior administration, alumni, parents, and key faculty members.

 

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary. Ability to move around campus and interact with faculty, staff, students, alumni and external constituencies regularly is crucial. Frequent travel is required.

 

TO APPLY:

Colby College has partnered with Aspen Leadership Group in the search for a Leadership Giving Officer. You may view the position prospectus or submit an application via this link: https://opportunities.aspenleadershipgroup.com/opportunities/1151.

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