Leadership Gift Officer

Job Description
Summary
The Leadership Gifts Officer will develop and implement fundraising strategies and activities to carry forward the mission and vision of Augsburg University through major, planned and principal gifts. The position is responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual gifts and an active member of the division of Institutional Advancement. This position works collaboratively and strategically to develop, implement, and track strategies for individual major and principal level gifts in order to meet the short and long-term fundraising goals. This position will develop long-term relationships with alumni, donors, and friends built on a firm understanding of the donors’ interests, passions, and values, with the purpose of cultivating, soliciting, and closing five, six, and seven figure gifts. We are seeking an experienced and highly professional individual who is passionate about the mission and vision of Augsburg University.
Primary Responsibilities
Direct Fundraising
Qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward major and principal level donors and prospective donors in alignment with benefactor interests and in alignment with the strategic objectives of the University.
Manage a portfolio of approximately 120-150 prospects at various stages of the solicitation cycle with a primary focus of qualifying and closing gifts of $25,000 or more.
Achieve monthly outreach goals to enter proposals in planning, move proposals to pending.
Conduct meaningful meetings with alumni, parents and friends of Augsburg University as suggested by Augsburg’s Vice President, Associate Vice President and advancement services team.
Utilize both current and deferred gift opportunities to best meet donors’ needs, interests, and financial capabilities.
Create, document and implement moves management plans.
Design and implement customized solicitation strategies with cross-campus partners, ensuringproper stewardship of contribution on scale with the size and the impact of the gift.
Prepare and present proposals in writing to donors and prospective donors.
Development and Information Management
Maintain accurate records of actions, donor contracts, and plan for follow-up work in a timely fashion through The Raiser’s Edge and with the assistance of department staff.
Submit highlights on a weekly basis to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement.
Enter and manage proposals in planning, pending and funded in accordance with the standards and processes managed by the department of advancement services.
Actively learn and refresh information management systems and tools.
Additional Responsibilities
Center, model and champion the division’s core values:
We value each person.
We are enterprising.
We are accountable.
We are stewards.
Maintain knowledge of current tax laws, investments and planned giving opportunities;
use knowledge in prospect cultivation and solicitation as appropriate.
Develop and maintain strong collaborative working relationships with other team members.
Participate in regular team meetings, division wide meetings, and institution-wide meetings.
All other duties as apparent or assigned by supervisor(s).
Work Environment and Physical Demands
Typical work environment can range from an office to on-site wherever constituent meetings take place.
Sedentary work for long periods of time.
Long or irregular hours;
must be willing to workflexible hours/days with occasional evening and weekend hours for work nights and weekends.
Travel away from home for as long as seven days at a time.
Intense work environment;
busy, demanding professional responsibilities with deadline pressure and performance quotas.
Occasional intense work environment as it relates to emotional reactions from alumni and donors.
Travel as much as 40% of the time.