Director of Major Gifts
Director of Major Gifts
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$ 140000 - 160000
1 Vacancy
Job Description
POSITION CODE: 7593
DEPARTMENT/ADMINISTRATION: Director of Major Gifts
POSITION: Administrative Exempt Full-time (40 Hours)
SALARY RANGE: $140000-$160000
HIRING RANGE:Anticipated hiring range is near or at the minimum of the classification
commensurate with candidates education experience skills and training.
INTRODUCTORY PERIOD: Twelves (12) Months
AVAILABLE:Immediately
BENEFITS OVERVIEW:BROCHURE
POSTING DATE:June 25 2025
APPLICATION DEADLINE:Open Until Filled Apply Immediately
Please apply at: of Classification:
Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Advancement the Director of Major Gifts is a critical leadership role responsible for the strategic oversight development and execution of the universitys major gifts program. This position plays a key role in cultivating a culture of philanthropy building long-term donor relationships and aligning major giving efforts with institutional priorities.
The Director will lead a team of Major Gift Officers providing strategic direction mentorship and performance management while personally managing a portfolio of high-capacity prospects. This individual will work closely with university leadership deans faculty and Advancement colleagues to identify funding opportunities craft compelling cases for support and secure transformative gifts of $50000 and above.
The Director of Major Gifts will help elevate the universitys philanthropic capacity by fostering a metrics-driven relationship-focused approach and ensuring an integrated strategy in collaboration with the offices of Planned Giving Donor Relations Prospect Management and Advancement Communications.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
Design and implement a comprehensive major gifts strategy aligned with the universitys mission strategic plan and fundraising goals.
Evaluate and enhance the existing major gifts structure leading a cultural shift toward a high-performance donor-centric model.
Establish and manage clear performance metrics and accountability systems for the Major Gifts team in collaboration with Advancement leadership.
Lead the recruitment onboarding and ongoing development of major gift officers ensuring staff are equipped with the skills tools and support to succeed.
Manage a personal portfolio of 80100 major gift prospects with the capacity to make gifts of $50000 cultivating relationships that lead to strategic solicitations and long-term engagement.
Design and execute customized cultivation solicitation and stewardship strategies for prospects at all stages of the donor lifecycle.
Collaborate with internal partners including the President Vice President for Advancement deans faculty and board members to identify funding priorities and co-create compelling philanthropic opportunities.
Serve as lead strategist for solicitations involving senior leaders and principal gift prospects when appropriate.
Work closely with the Director of Planned Giving to develop blended gift strategies and provide integrated donor experiences.
Collaborate with the Senior Director of Prospect Management and Operations to ensure effective portfolio assignment prospect tracking and donor pipeline development.
Coordinate with Donor Relations and Communications teams to deliver consistent and meaningful stewardship experiences for major gift donors.
Engage academic and administrative leaders in fundraising initiatives by facilitating training briefings and proposal development.
Oversee the preparation of donor proposals case materials briefing documents and impact reports tailored to donor interests and university priorities.
Ensure timely and accurate tracking of prospect activity contact reports and solicitations in the universitys CRM (Slate for Advancement).
Represent the Advancement division at key university events including Homecoming Alumni Weekend Commencement and other community engagement opportunities.
Participate actively on the Advancement leadership team and contribute to division-wide strategic initiatives.
- Other duties as assigned
Qualification Guidelines
Any combination equivalent to but not limited to the following:
Experience/Training/Education:
Required:
Bachelors degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum of eight (8) years of progressive experience in institutional advancement with a strong track record of securing major gifts of $50000 or more.
Demonstrated success in managing a personal portfolio of donors and closing complex philanthropic gifts.
Minimum three (3) years of experience in supervising fundraisers or managing high-functioning teams within a fundraising context.
Preferred:
Bachelors degree in nonprofit management business administration public relations communications or a related field; masters degree or CFRE certification is desirable.
Experience in higher education advancement or a similarly complex nonprofit organization with a broad donor base and capital campaign initiatives.
Proven ability to lead and inspire teams drive performance and implement structures that support accountability and growth.
Familiarity with fundraising across the giving spectrum including planned giving principal gifts annual giving and campaign planning.
Experience using donor CRMs such as Slate for Advancement Ellucian Colleague or Blackbaud Raisers Edge NXT.
Knowledge and Skills:
Deep understanding of fundraising principles particularly around major gifts donor motivation philanthropic strategy and engagement pipelines.
Exceptional interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence; able to cultivate trust and rapport with donors leadership faculty and colleagues.
Superior communication skills with demonstrated ability to prepare persuasive proposals and articulate complex university priorities.
Strategic thinking creativity and sound judgment in analyzing donor interests and matching them with institutional priorities.
Strong project management skills with attention to detail organizational planning and ability to balance multiple high-level priorities.
Knowledge of IRS charitable giving regulations and understanding of giving vehicles such as donor-advised funds charitable trusts and gifts of stock or real estate.
Familiarity with donor journey mapping and stewardship planning best practices.
Experience working collaboratively with senior academic and administrative leaders on high-level solicitations.
Strong analytical and data literacy skills with the ability to use reports and dashboards to inform decisions.
Commitment to diversity equity inclusion and community engagement with sensitivity to working across cultural and economic backgrounds.
Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:
Working Conditions:
Standard office and field setting. Duties performed are primarily in an office environment while sitting at a desk or computer workstation or in meetings. At least minimal environmental controls to assure health and comfort.
Physical Demands:
Incumbents regularly sit for long periods; walk short distances on a regular basis; travel to various locations to attend meetings and conduct work; use hands and fingers to operate an electronic keyboard or other office machines; reach with hands and arms; stoop or kneel or crouch to file; speak clearly and distinctly to answer telephones and to provide information; see to read fine print and operate computer; hear and understand voices over telephone and in person; and lift carry and/or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
TO APPLY: A resume/CV and cover letter are compliance with The Americans with Disabilities Act if selected for the interview process and accommodations are needed please call . If you are unable to complete an application due to a disability contact us at to ask for accommodation or an alternative application process.
HIRING RANGE:Anticipated hiring range is near or at the minimum of the classification commensurate with candidates education experience skills and training. The University of Redlands is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range considers the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience skills knowledge abilities education licensure and certifications and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position is defined as the Full Pay Range. The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is defined as theHiring Range. Placement within the Hiring Range is determined by internal equity and relevant qualifications.
BACKGROUND CHECK:Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. The University will make a conditional offer of employment which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current employee who was conditionally offered the position.
DRIVERS LICENSE CHECK:Possession of a valid Drivers License is required for certain positions. Employees in positions that require a valid Drivers License will be enrolled in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Government Employer Pull Notice Program which confirms possession of a valid drivers license and reflects driving record.
PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMS:For certain positions typically in Public Safety Facilities Athletics and Information Technology Services departments employment is contingent upon a candidate passing a pre-employment physical exam with the ability to lift in excess of 50 Safety Officers in addition to a pre-employment physical exam will also be required to pass a psychological evaluation.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT
SUBMISSION OF A RESUME OR APPLICATION INDICATES AGREEMENT THAT THE UNIVERSITY MAY VERIFY ANY AND ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN.
MEMBERS OF UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Required Experience:
Director
Employment Type
Full-Time
