Hybrid Principal Gift Officer at Mount Mary University

Position Summary:

The Principal Gift Officer is responsible for developing a plan to identify, qualify, cultivate and solicit principal gifts from alumni, corporate partnership, private foundations, community partners, and friends of the University.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage portfolio of approximately 125 principal gift donors
• Manage a prospect portfolio of potential donors
• Implement all aspects of gift cycle including identification, research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Secure donations to achieve department and individual financial goals
• Focus on securing support for university priorities such as academic programs, scholarships, unrestricted, facility renovation/expansion, and other campus improvements
• Develop stewardship and donor recognition programs in concert with the Vice President of Advancement and other gift officers
• Work collaboratively with and in support of volunteers, advancement staff, and other university representatives to achieve established goals
• Document all prospect and donor actions for historical records, accountability, analysis, and planning.
• Manage related budget
• Organize or participate in other initiatives to promote the University and philanthropy
• Provide effective training, support and leadership for campaign volunteers and leaders to meet annual financial goals
• Act as an ambassador of the University and actively seek out opportunities to become involved in the community
• Create strategies to market to principal donors in concert with the PR/Marketing/Alumni Engagement
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree, CFRE or Masters preferred
• Minimum of seven years successful experience in major or planned gift fundraising preferably in higher education or closely related field
• Past experience securing gifts that exceed $50,000
• Capital or comprehensive campaign experience preferred
• Understand and affirm the mission of Mount Mary University and the School Sisters of Notre Dame.
• Ability to understand the needs and interests of leadership and major gift donors in order to develop relationships between them and the University.
• Interest in all aspects of education and a dedication to promoting the University's fundraising priorities by developing excellent relationships with faculty, administration, trustees, volunteers, and the advancement team
• Demonstrates leadership and the ability to successfully manage multi-functional activities
• Successful experience in making cold calls, as well as, developing cultivation and solicitation strategies
• Adheres to the highest ethical standards; demonstrates empathetic disposition and perseverance; reflects an optimistic and positive attitude, and conveys a sensitivity to needs of the donors
• Excellent interpersonal skills, writing and listening skills, and a demonstrated record of completing assignments.
• Willing to travel on an as needed basis
• Be a good steward of University and donor resources
• Knowledge of and ability to successfully utilize donor software: reporting, analyzing, evaluating

Qualifications:

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duties satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform primary functions.

Physical Demands:

• May be required to lift up to 20 lbs.
• Must reach, bend, stoop, lift
• Must sit, walk or stand
• Some repetitive motion may be required

Working Conditions:

• Can be scheduled for up to 40 hours a week
• Varying workflow; sometimes stressful with high workload times of the year
• Complete work required within a limited space
• Complete work required within a limited time

Mount Mary University practices equal opportunity employment as part of our ongoing commitment to diversity in our workplace.