Primary Purpose: 

Reporting to the Director, Leadership Annual Giving and Scripps Fund, the Leadership Annual Giving Officer (LAGO) will play a critical role in growing The Scripps Fund and the Leadership Annual Giving program. The LAGO will split their time as a frontline fundraiser for leadership annual gifts ($1,000-$25,000) and will assist in the design, implementation and management of programs to secure, retain and increase leadership and Reunion gifts. The LAGO will collaborate with staff in External Relations and Institutional Advancement (ERIA) to renew and upgrade existing leadership giving donors, identify new prospects, and support major gift pipeline development. The LAGO will build a flourishing Leadership Annual Giving program by using multiple strategies including direct marketing and personal solicitation. The expected start date for this position is on or after July 1, 2021.

Essential Functions: 

This information is intended to be a descriptive of the key responsibilities of the position. The list of essential functions below does not identify all duties performed by any single incumbent in this position. Perform other duties as assigned.

Leadership Annual Giving and Scripps Fund Strategy Development 50%

• Assist in the development of short and long-range plans for conducting a Leadership Annual Giving program and Reunion-giving program, including developing strategy for direct mail, email, digital, and social/peer-to-peer marketing.
• Develop strategic fundraising plans for annual leadership donors and Reunion prospects.
• In partnership with members of the ERIA team, work to develop a culture of leadership giving, with an emphasis on increasing the number of donors giving at this level.
• Lead Reunion fundraising efforts for ERIA. Manage mass reunion solicitations (email, mail, video) and coordinate internal management of reunion volunteers for solicitations. Manage portfolio of fundraising volunteers for target classes. Track results of these efforts.
• Work with Director, Scripps Fund and Scripps Fund committee to plan and execute direct-response marketing campaigns for Leadership Annual Giving donors and prospects.
• Analyze and report on results of the Scripps Fund and Leadership Annual Giving as well as benchmark results with peer institutions.
• Participate as a full member of the ERIA team, Scripps Fund team, philanthropy team, in professional development activities, and in other meetings as appropriate.
• Actively contribute to the growth and enhancement of the Leadership Annual Giving program as a thought partner with Director, Scripps Fund and AVP, Philanthropy.
• Develop strategies and execute mass solicitations to retain, acquire, and upgrade donors in the Ellen Browning Scripps Society and Parent Leadership Council (gifts of $2,000+).
• Partner with Director, Leadership Annual Giving and Scripps Fund, and Coordinator, Scripps Fund to develop strategy for personal digital outreach to Leadership Annual Giving prospects, and mentor and lead student workers to execute these strategies.
• Partner with colleagues across ERIA to develop stewardship and retention strategies for leadership annual giving donors and giving society members.
• Staff on- and off- campus College events, such as Reunion Weekend, Welcome Receptions, etc

Personal Solicitation 50%

• Identify Leadership Annual Giving prospects and develop individual solicitation and stewardship plans for them.
• Annually contact 100 prospects through substantial interactions and prospect development.
• Ensure successful gift solicitation of key prospects. Make a minimum of 50 personal solicitations annually. Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward Leadership Annual gifts.
• Champion discovery activities to enrich the prospect pipeline for leadership annual giving and major gifts.
• Work with major and planned giving fundraisers to support their overall solicitation strategy as it pertains to the annual giving and Scripps Fund strategies for their prospects.
• In collaboration with the philanthropy team staff, lead strategic handoff of prospects at all appropriate levels and giving types: leadership, major gift and principal gifts as well as planned and foundation gifts.
• Develop strategies and execute personal solicitations to retain, acquire, and upgrade donors in Ellen Browning Scripps Society (EBSS) and Parent Leadership Council (gifts of $2,000+).
• Document contacts and personal fundraising strategies in the donor database.
• Active support for the College’s Principles of Community and Principles of Diversity in the performance of job duties.
• In order for the College to be able to respond to emergencies and support our community, it is the expectation of the College that in your role you will be prepared to pivot to support students and College operations as needed. The College reserves the right to ask you to perform duties outside your traditional roles to support the College as it responds to student and operational needs. Scripps is a small liberal arts College and, therefore, all employees are prepared to support wherever needed.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities: 

• Individuals must possess knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the position, or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.
• Ability to convey commitment and passion for Scripps College while representing the College and the department in a professional manner at all times.
• Commitment to women’s education and the liberal arts.
• Ability to delegate and manage workflows.
• Ability to take initiative, be personally accountable for work, be a problem solver, and demonstrate out-of-the-box creativity.
• Ability to compose high-quality written communications, correspondence, reports, and other documents with meticulous attention to detail.
• Experience making cold calls and personal, face-to-face solicitations.
• Ability to develop interpersonal relationships to collaborate effectively with multiple diverse constituencies.
• Strong organizational and project management skills. Must be efficient in prioritizing work on simultaneous projects and delegating tasks as required for execution.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable. Ability to work well in high pressure/touch customer service situations and work well under deadlines while balancing multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to work in a team that emphasizes measurable objectives, including mutually agreed upon targets for fundraising goals.
• Knowledge of industry best practices in higher education annual fund or other nonprofits.
• Ability to interact effectively in a higher education setting, and familiarity with the college’s academic and administrative offices and their functions; knowledge of and ability to tap resources within the college.
• An employment history highlighted by increasing levels of responsibility and a demonstrated ability to exercise sensitivity and judgment in dealing with staff, prospects, and the public.
• Competence in database utilization and a variety of software programs used to track solicitation efforts and results.
• Knowledge and experience with social media and digital strategy and trends.
• Ability to travel up to five times per year.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office. Experienced with CRM databases (particularly Raiser’s Edge NXT), third party email clients, and other graphic design software preferred.

Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; or any combination of education, training, or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the job.
• Minimum two years of experience in non-profit fundraising, secondary or higher education advancement, and/or a related field development experience, including annual or membership campaigns.
• Demonstrated experience in engaging academic leaders, faculty, and volunteer partners in the development of meaningful and productive relationships with prospects and donors.