Summary

The Director of Major Gifts works within a collaborative and motivated Development Team that seeks to build and enhance relationships with all constituents for the purpose of increasing financial support to the college. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Development, the Director of Major Gifts is responsible for prospecting, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts with a focus on major gifts (currently classified as $20,000 or more). The Director of Major Gifts engages with prospects and donors to determine their philanthropic interest related to the College’s fundraising priorities through annual, capital, endowed and planned gifts while building and managing a portfolio of high potential prospects.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies to build a portfolio and manage a pipeline of major gifts prospects with the capacity to make gifts of $20,000 or more
• Utilize research and strong relationship management strategies to expand and strengthen the college’s pipeline of potential donors
• In collaboration with the AVP of Development and other key leaders, develop a multi-year major gift development plan to include major gift strategies, tactics, and key measurement tools
• Ensure effective stewardship of all major gift donors
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the mission and priorities of the college and make a persuasive verbal and written case for supporting key programs and projects, effectively matching the interests of prospects to specific college needs
• Work across departments and program areas to develop engagement and recognition opportunities for major donors
• Utilize Raiser’s Edge to gather, record, properly document, and generate reports information about prospects and donors
• Participate in the planning and execution of special events as related to major donor prospects and stewardship
• Interact closely with the Board of Trustees, former trustees, and other major donors to ensure sustained engagement with the college
• Represent CCAD’s Development department at internal and external events; attend targeted events to network with current donors, prospective donors, and community partners
• Other duties as assigned

Education and/or Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or post-graduate training and education in fundraising and development preferred
• Minimum of three years successful experience in development required with direct experience soliciting gifts; five years of experience with fundraising preferred
• Development work within a higher education setting preferred

Desired Competencies 

• Exhibit initiative, optimism, and enthusiasm
• Exhibit an ability to understand the needs and interests of CCAD donors in order to foster relationships between donors and the college
• Possess successful experience in making “cold calls” as well as developing cultivation and solicitation strategies
• Demonstrate strong personnel management and the ability to bring events and projects from vision to reality in a timely and dynamic manner
• Exhibit excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Exhibit professionalism and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information
• Possess strong organizational skills and the ability to multi-task
• Demonstrate proficiency with a variety of software programs, including the Microsoft Office Suite; experience with Raiser’s Edge preferred
• Possess the ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends and travel as required

Compensation

This position is full-time, exempt.  Compensation is commensurate on experience and qualifications. CCAD offers a benefits package including: vacation time, additional paid time off while the college is closed during winter break, sick time accrual, health and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, 403B retirement contribution, tuition remission, free campus parking, and free admission to the Columbus Museum of Art.