Major Gift Officer

Major Gift OfficerThe George Mason University, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, is seeking qualified applicants for a Major Gift Officer. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason's academic and culturally inclusive environment.George Mason University offers outstanding benefits including health and life insurance, flexible spending accounts, multiple industry-leading retirement plans, accrued paid days off per year, professional development, tuition reimbursement, and employee assistance programs. To learn more, please visit https://hr.gmu.edu/benefits/.About the Position:The Major Gift Officer supports philanthropic efforts by identifying and implementing strategies for success in securing significant philanthropic support for Intercollegiate Athletics priorities. This position is responsible for cultivating meaningful relationships with potential and current Major Gift ($25,000+) level donors to the University. The Gift Officer will manage a portfolio of donors and prospective donors, and be responsible for facilitating all phases of the gift cycle, including initiating contact, cultivating and moving potential donors to solicitation and closure, creating solicitations, writing proposals, and stewarding donors. The Gift Officer works collaboratively with coaches, Athletics' leadership, key volunteers, University leadership and faculty, Advancement staff, and other school representatives to cultivate and solicit donors for Intercollegiate Athletics.Duties:Identifies and cultivates major gift prospects including developing ways to find new prospects and following up on inquiries regarding significant gifts to Intercollegiate Athletics and the University;Personally solicits assigned donor portfolios through face-to-face visits, including preparation of personalized materials. Proactively identifies, develops, and delivers engagement opportunities to donors to ensure the maximization of their financial and non-financial support;Researches, develops, and writes funding proposals, appeal letters, and reports as required;Accountable for meeting or exceeding established monthly and weekly fundraising goals and metrics;Solicits and secures six and seven-figure major gifts from assigned donors;Manages a budget ensuring that expenditures are in compliance and expense reports are prepared and submitted as needed;Works with prospects to educate them on Intercollegiate Athletics priorities and soliciting and closing outright and planned gifts;Effectively manages major gift prospects through personal visits, correspondence, and electronic and telephone communication;Meets or exceeds metrics related to portfolio, visits, asks, and documentation, as collaboratively set by Intercollegiate Athletics and Central Advancement;Accountable for cultivating relationships of individual and organizational fundraising with a focus on retention, recapture, and growth;Builds trusting relationships with Intercollegiate Athletics and Advancement colleagues, as well as coaches, directors, prospects, donors, and volunteers;Becomes immersed in the key strategies and initiatives of George Mason University and Intercollegiate Athletics; andOther duties as assigned.Performance Expectations:Works closely with Central Advancement leadership to create a multi-faceted fundraising plan to meet its most pressing needs;Carries a portfolio of 90-100 prospects that are being moved through the donor engagement process culminating in MAJOR, LEADERSHIP, or PRINCIPAL gifts (as defined by George Mason's Advancement team);Actively engages each prospect in their portfolio;Submits 2-3 "asks" per month for a total of a minimum of 24 a year;Annual total dollars raised from asks is $500K or greater;Works with offices across campus to coordinate related activities that further the University's mission and achieve fundraising goals;Leads and manages a professional team of fundraising staff, including budgeting, program direction, and recruitment of new staff as needed;Finds new and creative ways to engage donors that will enrich the donor experience and add value to the academic life of the University;Works with staff to engage all alumni to advance the percentage of active involvement and increase alumni donations; andMeets or exceeds fundraising goals.Qualifications:Master's degree in a related field and demonstrated successful professional advancement and/or fundraising-related experience, preferably in higher education and Intercollegiate Athletics; or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill, and abilities have been achieved;Prior fundraising experience (generally 5+ years) in successfully cultivating and securing major gifts of $25,000 or more;Consistent record of building solid relationships with prospects and donors;Understand basic principles and techniques of planned giving, and work closely with planned giving colleagues;Ability to manage a mixed portfolio of approximately 90-100 individual, corporate, and prospective donors involving travel and considerable face-to-face meetings;Understand business processes of advancement operations including prospect management, donor relations, and gift processing;Demonstrated interpersonal, verbal, listening, and written communication skills to share Intercollegiate Athletics' mission, vision, and goals with clarity, passion, and persuasion;Ability to juggle multiple priorities; demonstrated organizational skills;Demonstrated aptitude at representing an organization in a professional and highly effective manner;Ability to work well with diverse groups of constituents and colleagues;High level of creativity, initiative, and motivation;Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality with respect to prospects and donors;Proficient in Microsoft Office - Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;Familiarity with CRM fundraising software;Ability to work athletic functions in the evenings and on weekends and periodic domestic travel; andExperience with and strong understanding of the Intercollegiate Athletic environment and donor community (is preferred).

For full consideration, applicants must apply at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

"Great Careers Begin at Mason! George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in both academics and research. Mason holds a top U.S. News and World Report "Up and Coming" spot for national universities and is recognized for its global appeal and excellence in higher education.Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason's diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/!George Mason University, Where Innovation is Tradition."