Leadership Giving Officer

Overview

The University Advancement department seeks a versatile and strategic Leadership & Institutional Giving Officer (LGO) to join the fundraising team. This role comprehensively supports the university’s philanthropic pipeline by managing a portfolio of 125-150 high-potential alumni and friends, while also identifying and pursuing aligned institutional funding opportunities. The primary focus of this position is proactive relationship management—developing tailored strategies to secure individual commitments at the $10,000+ level, while simultaneously coordinating proposal development and grant administration to capture organizational support. Reporting to the Executive Director for Leadership Giving, the LGO collaborates across University Advancement to align fundraising efforts with the University’s strategic priorities and long-term financial goals of the university, with the goal of securing and increasing philanthropic donations. This position is Hybrid eligible, up to 2 days remote.

Key Responsibilities

• Frontline Fundraising & Portfolio Management: Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of 125-150 individual major gift prospects. Execute tailored "moves management" strategies to secure annual and multi-year commitments of $10,000 or more.
• Donor Engagement: Maintain a consistent schedule of monthly face-to-face (in-person and virtual) visits to qualify new prospects and advance existing relationships from identification to closure.
• Proposals & Stewardship: Create written proposals and gift agreements that align donor intent with the University’s strategic goals. Maintain stewardship activity with donors.
• Travel & Fieldwork: Travel on behalf of the University to conduct high-touch visits, attend alumni events and build personal connections with prospective donors.
• Institutional Funding & Support: Manage relationships with select foundations. Coordinate the proposal process, gather necessary campus data, and submit reports.
• Campus Collaboration: Partner with Deans, faculty, and campus leadership to align donor interests with the University's highest strategic priorities.
• System Integrity: Maintain accurate, timely records of donor interactions and moves within the Raiser’s Edge NXT database.
• Additional duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required.
• Experience: 3 to 5+ years of professional fundraising experience, with the proven ability to confidently solicit and close individual gifts at the $10,000+ level and/or successfully write and secure foundation/organizational funding.
• Dual-Track Communication Skills: Exceptional interpersonal skills for face-to-face donor visits, combined with strong writing skills for crafting persuasive funding proposals and reports.
• Systems: Proficiency with fundraising CRMs (experience with Raiser's Edge NXT is highly preferred) and familiarity with funding research tools.
• Drive & Organization: A proactive mindset with excellent time-management skills to successfully balance out-of-office donor travel with proposal timelines.
• Travel: A valid driver's license and the ability to travel regionally on behalf of the university are required.

We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every qualification listed. We value diverse backgrounds and are committed to supporting professional growth in this role.

Additional Requirements

• Exemption Status: Exempt
• Required to Pass a Motor Vehicle Report Check (If driving on behalf of the University): Yes
• Required to Pass a Credit Check: Yes