Job Title:

Director of Major Gifts (revised 7/16/09)

Department:

Requisition No:

Date Posted:

Summary

Under the general direction of the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and working with a larger team of development officers and College administrators, the Officer plans, sets and realizes goals; manages time and staff resources; administers significant components of the major gift/planned giving program; markets major gift and planned giving opportunities; identifies, cultivates and solicits major gifts; and provides stewardship of major donors.  The high-energy individual devotes significant time to travel to work with an assigned pool of prospects and to advance the College.

Job Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Funding Raising (50%)

• Identifies and cultivates major gift donors through direct proposals, personal solicitations and cultivation and stewardship activities. Manages 125+ major prospects;

• Develops a marketing plan to promote planned gift opportunities;

• Manages new and continuing planned gift prospects; travels to personally contact prospects;

• Develops and coordinates plan for campaign prospects, primarily for the REAC;

• Supports the programs of the Annual Fund by working with assigned reunion classes to maximize reunion giving, class participation and planned giving opportunities.

Community Relations (25%)

• Provides support for the Campaign projects as assigned and coordinates the regional giving phase;
• Develops and executes the Businesses for Hood campaign;
• Attends Prospect Review and Directors meetings and provides support as requested.

Planned Giving/Institutional Advancement (25%)

• Oversees the day-to-day activities of the bequest and planned gift program, including web site updates, annuity and life insurance letters and other marketing materials;
• Maintenance of planned giving inventory; and development of Pergola Society activities and planned giving efforts.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Carries out supervisory responsibilities as they may occur in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university; five years experience in major gift prospect identification, cultivation and solicitation preferably in an educational setting, or equivalent transferable skills from other professional fields; campaigning experience and a proven track record of closing major gifts; demonstrated knowledge of planned giving and estate planning concepts; knowledge of and concern for private higher education required.

Technology Skills

Strong computer proficiency in internet applications, Office Suite Productivity products (such as Microsoft Word, Access, Excel & Powerpoint); and ability to learn new applications quickly including organization-wide information systems and department-specific software applications (Millennium, Crystal Reporting, Researcher’s Edge, and PowerCAMPUS).  Ability to maintain working knowledge of all entry procedures related to Advancement Services.

Language Skills

Outstanding oral and written communication skills and interpersonal relations skills. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, financial reports, procedures, governmental regulations and legal documents. Ability to effectively present information and positively respond to questions from top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to work with and apply advanced mathematical concepts timely and accurately, either manually or by using a calculator.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or scheduled form.   Ability to hypothesize, draws conclusions, and support conclusions. Ability to work in theoretical arena and apply logic as appropriate.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To Apply

Qualified candidates may apply by submitting a résumé, cover letter, three professional references to Sue Pridemore, Institutional Advancement, Hood College, 401 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD  21701 or by e-mail to Pridemore@hood.edu.

Hood College is committed to diversity in its faculty and staff and subscribes to a policy of hiring only individuals legally eligible to work in the United States.

Equal Employment Opportunity