Director of Major Gifts - Duke Club

About the role

The Director of Major Gifts - Duke Club at James Madison University is responsible for athletic fundraising across Major Gifts, the Annual Fund, Capital Campaigns/Stadium expansion project, and Endowments. This is a full-time position with a comprehensive benefits package.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies, including face-to-face solicitations, proposals, donor visits, stewardship, and moves management.
• Manage a portfolio of high-capacity prospects and donors, developing individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Secure gifts of $50,000 or more and meet or exceed annual fundraising and major gift revenue goals.
• Collaborate with senior institutional leaders, coaches, administrators, volunteers, and other development professionals to advance philanthropic priorities.
• Communicate a compelling case for support to a wide range of audiences.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with donors, alumni, parents, and other constituents.
• Use a CRM/database system such as Salesforce, Paciolian or similar fundraising technology.
• Manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and operate effectively in a fast-paced, goal-oriented environment.
• Travel regularly, work evenings and weekends, and participate in donor and institutional events as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• 2+ years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, development, advancement, or a related field, preferably within higher education, athletics, healthcare, or another complex nonprofit organization.
• Demonstrated success identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects and donors, including experience securing gifts of $50,000 or more.
• Proven ability to manage a portfolio of high-capacity prospects and donors and develop individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Strong understanding of prospect research, wealth screening, portfolio management, and donor analytics.
• Experience working collaboratively with senior institutional leaders, coaches, administrators, volunteers, and other development professionals to advance philanthropic priorities.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate a compelling case for support to a wide range of audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain long-term relationships with donors, alumni, parents, and other constituents.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and operate effectively in a fast-paced, goal-oriented environment.
• Strong strategic thinking, organizational skills, attention to detail, and demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly, work evenings and weekends, and participate in donor and institutional events as needed.
• Commitment to the mission, values, and goals of the institution and a demonstrated understanding of the role philanthropy plays in advancing student success and institutional excellence.

Benefits

The position offers a comprehensive benefits package.