Director of Major Gifts

Purpose: The Director of Major Gifts reports to the Vice President for Development and provides direct leadership and oversight for a team of gift officers, ensuring that the staff set and attain ambitious goals, develop effective fundraising strategies, and manage fundraising projects and initiatives developed by College Administration. The director, and each member of the major gifts team, are responsible for cultivating and securing major gifts in support of the college’s mission. They will proactively manage relationships with high-capacity donors and prospects, develop strategic engagement and solicitation plans, and align donor interests with the College's funding priorities. This position will play a significant role in achieving major gift targets, particularly in the areas of scholarships, endowments, and capital projects, with an emphasis on the College’s mission of educating the heart and mind in the Catholic tradition.

Essential Job Duties

• Team Leadership and Oversight: Provide direct leadership and mentorship to a team of gift officers, fostering a collaborative, results-driven environment. Establish ambitious fundraising goals for the team and regularly assess progress, adjusting strategies as needed to ensure achievement.
• Training and Professional Development: Facilitate training and development opportunities for the team, equipping staff with the skills and knowledge needed for success in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Donor Relationship Management: Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of 75-100 high-potential donors and prospects, with a focus on gifts of $50,000 and above.
• Strategic Planning: Develop and implement personalized cultivation and solicitation strategies for assigned prospects, ensuring alignment with College priorities.
• Collaboration: Work closely with College leadership, faculty, and staff to identify funding opportunities and engage donors; facilitate interactions that deepen donor commitment.
• Goal Achievement: Achieve a minimum of 20 major gifts in the first year, generating at least $750,000 in support.
• Portfolio Growth: Qualify and engage new prospects to expand the major gift pipeline; conduct 100-120 meaningful visits per year.
• Documentation: Maintain detailed records of interactions, tasks, and prospect progress within the College’s donor database.
• Stewardship: Provide personalized stewardship, updating donors on the impact of their contributions and ensuring long-term engagement.
• Professional Representation: Advocate for and communicate the College’s Catholic mission and values effectively to donors and prospects. Other duties assigned to meet the needs of the department and College.

Minimum Education, Skills, and Abilities:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or equivalent experience in fundraising preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in major gift solicitation, with demonstrated success in securing high-value gifts.
• Leadership and Team Management Experience: Proven experience in leading, mentoring, and managing a team, with a focus on achieving ambitious fundraising goals and developing team potential.
• Skills: Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with a track record of building donor trust and engagement. Excellent written and verbal communication abilities, with persuasive presentation skills. Proficiency in donor database management, with experience in Raiser’s Edge or similar software preferred. Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion.
• Attributes: Alignment with the Catholic mission and values of the College. Results-oriented, self-motivated, and adaptable in a dynamic environment. Team-oriented with a strong work ethic and attention to detail.