Director of Major Gifts

Job Summary

The director of major gifts will play a critical leadership role on the development team and significantly contribute to reaching the ambitious fundraising objectives of the comprehensive campaign.

Reporting to the associate vice president of development, the director will lead, train, coach, and motivate a growing team of major gift officers.

In addition, the director will actively manage a portfolio of prospects and cultivate and solicit individual donors for gifts at $100k to $1M.

Minimum Qualifications :

Bachelor’s degree; 5+ years of experience as a major gift officer, preferably in higher education; strong history of closing high six-figure and $1M+ gifts;

and consistently reaching fundraising objectives. Successful experience in making cold calls and developing personalized strategies that result in moving prospects through the donor process from discovery, to solicitation, and stewardship.

Essential Functions :

• Provide leadership to a growing team of major gift officers focused on relationship-based fundraising with an intentional focus on cultivation, stewardships, and building personal relationships with philanthropists to secure major gifts.
• Implement organizational processes based on industry best practices and donor-centric strategies that establish a robust major gift program.
• Collaborate with colleagues to improve productivity, operational excellence, and donor experiences. This includes working with colleagues on the annual giving team, advancement services, stewardship, and alumni affairs.
• Manage a personal portfolio of 75-100 major gift donors in order to move them in an appropriate and timely process toward solicitation and closure.
• Provide support to academic leadership and programs as it relates to fostering philanthropic support, volunteer engagement, and developing campaign content.
• Must possess strong written, oral and presentation communication skills, and have experience in developing clear and concise funding proposals.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with all levels of staff, volunteers, donors, and prospective donors.
• Must be able to work independently while also working as a member of the Advancement team.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Experience with managing other fundraising professionals, knowledgeable about higher education philanthropy.
• Proficiency in software applications like Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

Required Application Documents :

Resume, Cover Letter, & Contact Information of 3 Professional References

Benefits :

The position includes a comprehensive benefit package*. Benefits for this position include but are not limited to the following :

• 3 weeks of paid vacation. 4 weeks of paid vacation beginning in the 6th year of employment.
• Unlimited paid sick time.
• 14+ paid holidays per year.
• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance programs at a 15% employee / 85% employer contribution rate. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care (FSD).
• Life insurance.
• Generous short-term and long-term disability programs and workers compensation.
• 403(b) defined contribution plan : First 6 years College contributes 7.5%, Employee contributes a mandatory 4%.College contribution increases to 10.

5% in year 7, and 12% after 15 years.Employee contribution decreases to 1% in year 7. Remains 1% thereafter.Typical eligibility requirements : 1 year of service and 1,000 hours with Marist College.

• 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity Roth option available. Voluntary, up to IRS maximum contribution.
• Tuition Benefits : Up to 16 undergraduate credits per semester. Up to 18 graduate credit per academic calendar. Eligibility extends to employee, spouse, and dependent children under age 26.

College pays 100% tuition only.Eligible dependents may be Reimbursed up to $2,000 per semester towards tuition at another accredited institution.

Eligibility requirements including waiting periods and / or employee probationary periods may apply at the discretion of the College.

About the Department / School :

The Advancement Office promotes a culture of philanthropy that attracts vital resources in support of the goals and objectives of the College’s strategic plan and its core educational mission.

The Advancement team accomplishes this by nurturing life-long relationships with and among alumni, parents, trustees, friends, students, faculty, staff and other constituencies;

and by communicating regularly with them through meaningful personal contacts, targeted print and web-based publications, and high-impact special events.

About Marist College :

Located on the banks of the historic Hudson River and at its Florence, Italy campus, Marist College is a comprehensive, independent institution grounded in the liberal arts.

Its mission is to help students develop the intellect, character, and skills required for enlightened, ethical, and productive lives in the global community of the 21st century.

Marist educates approximately 5,000 traditional-age undergraduate students and 1,200 adult and graduate students in 53 undergraduate majors and numerous graduate programs, including fully online MBA, MPA, MS, and MA degrees, and also Doctor of Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant programs.

Marist is consistently ranked among the best colleges and universities in America by The Princeton Review (Colleges That Create Futures and The Best 386 Colleges), U.

S. News & World Report (3rd Most Innovative School / North), Kiplinger’s Personal Finance ( Best College Values ), and others.

Marist’s study abroad program is ranked #1 in the nation by the U.S. State Department’s Open Doors Report and has also received the Senator Paul Simon Award for First Year Abroad programs in Italy and Ireland.

Marist’s Joint Study partnership with IBM, which began in 1988, has brought the College the kind of world-class technology platform typically found at leading research institutions.