Senior Major Gifts Manager

General Responsibilities

• Donor Stewardship, Moves Management & Gift Solicitation (55%)
  • In collaboration with the Development Director, develop and execute a comprehensive national donor relations program, with a focus on the Northeast; support donor moves management and touchpoints; visit individual donors one-on-one, in-person and virtually, continuing to ascertain donor priorities and needs, while building relationships and soliciting gifts; write individual donor correspondence and other content; in collaboration with Senior Digital Strategy Manager, manage fundraising digital outreach strategy.
  • Tracking & Reporting (15%)
    • Ensure effective donor and event records management; work with Development & Outreach Coordinator for Action Network fundraising uploads and data management, including monthly Action Network reconciliation of individual donor gifts, donor list re-engagement, and clean-up; reconcile fundraising event funds; upload donor reports and reconcile fundraising records from Raiser’s Edge with recommended stewardship actions.
  • Fundraising Initiatives & Events (30%)
    • Lead fundraising event planning and coordination, attend when geographically possible; provide management for all Development fundraising and donor cultivation events and activities, including but not limited to: event concept development and fundraising strategy, vendor relations, RSVPs, invitation creation (Canva), event budgeting, etc.; work with members of the Development & Outreach team to craft compelling email and social media messaging to maximize fundraising event attendance and funds raised.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of experience in relationship building and stewardship in a non-profit setting.
• Demonstrated experience identifying, securing, and building relationships with individual donors.
• Ability to maintain donor records and conduct donor research.
• Experience working effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a solution-oriented approach to work. Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects to meet deadlines.
• A strong interest in ending plastic pollution through policy change and a commitment to the goals of Beyond Plastics.
• A demonstrated commitment to environmental justice and civic engagement.
• Confidence, maturity, creative thinking, and excellent listening skills to engage with donors and maintain confidentiality.
• Superior written communication skills, specifically grant writing.
• Entrepreneurial, innovative, and strategic thinking skills.
• Proficient in Google Workspace and Raiser’s Edge.

About Bennington College

The College offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance, retirement, and tuition benefits, including Tuition Exchange scholarships. The College also offers an on-site fitness center as well as generous time off benefits.

Nestled at the foot of the Green Mountains in Vermont, the campus consists of approximately 370 acres. The College was named one of ten with the best architecture by Architectural Digest. From campus, it is a short drive to the cultural offerings of the northern Berkshires in Massachusetts, Albany, New York, and many of Vermont’s top recreational centers. New York City, Boston, and Burlington, Vermont are all within three and a half hours by car.