ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR/DIRECTOR OF

MAJOR AND PLANNED GIVING

POSITION DESCRIPTION

REPORTS TO: Associate Vice President of Major & Planned Giving

LOCATION: Landis-Peabody

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

Responsible for primary contact with individual major and planned gift prospects and donors in specific geographic regions; management of a portfolio of individuals with major gift potential; and support of trustees, president, and executive vice president in major gift programs. Conducts an ongoing program of personal visits and solicitations.

DUTIES:

1. Manage a portfolio of major and planned giving prospects, giving highest priority to establishing and maintaining donor relationships through personal visits and contacts.

2. Cultivate, solicit, and assist in stewarding donors and prospects for gifts of $100,000 and higher for identified priorities of the college.

3. Secure annual fund contributions when appropriate.

4. In conjunction with the prospect researcher, identify new prospects through personal visits, reunion programs, and other activities.

5. Support the president, trustees, and other key volunteers in the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects and donors through briefings, strategy development, and regional donor-focused events.

6. Respond to general and targeted inquiries from the college’s constituency regarding the college’s major and planned giving program through correspondence, proposals, and personal contact.

7. In coordination with other staff members, work to ensure the smooth functioning of programs designed to enhance the levels of volunteer involvement in aspects of reunion programs, alumni training workshops, and other activities on campus and in various geographic regions.

8. Participate in appropriate professional major and planned giving forums and associations.

9. Generally improve the understanding among alumni, friends, and parents of the college’s need for financial support and focus appropriate actions and attentions on those who can provide capital gifts.

10. Manage projects specific to developing the major and planned giving program.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

The Director of Major and Planned Giving will work most closely and collaboratively with the Associate Vice President of Major and Planned Giving and the major and planned giving team in efforts related to the major and planned giving program. Additionally, the position interacts with a wide range of individuals, including all members of the Office of External Affairs, the President, faculty, other administrative staff, alumni, trustees, donors, prospects, parents, and friends of the college.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

1. Seasoned advancement professional with at least five years of fund-raising and administrative experience in a college or university setting, preferably within a liberal arts college.

2. Three years of planned giving experience, with demonstrated familiarity with planned giving theories, practices, and vehicles, and the ability to communicate those techniques to constituents in person and via marketing efforts.

3. Bachelor’s degree; comprehensive knowledge and understanding of significant issues in higher education and their application in a liberal arts college setting.

4. Significant knowledge of philanthropic techniques and strategies, and demonstrated ability to solicit and close major gifts.

5. Background in working with volunteer leaders and/or groups of volunteers.

6. Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, exceptional attention to detail, and an enthusiasm for hard work.

7. Strong written and oral communication skills.

8. Creativity, flexibility, originality, and a sense of humor.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires travel and some evening and weekend hours. Approximately forty to fifty percent of the time is devoted towards making calls on donors and prospective donors nationally and locally.

EQUIPMENT USED:

1. Computer/Printer

2. Telephone/E-mail

3. Photocopier/Fax

Lawrence University offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to full-time employees (40 hours per week). The benefits package includes the following: health and dental insurance, term life insurance, optional term life insurance, long term disability insurance, flexible spending, retirement plan, dependent tuition remission or tuition exchange program, tuition waiver program, and long term care insurance. Other additional benefits include: accrued vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, wellness/fitness facility, and employee assistance program (EAP).