Summary/objective 

The Leadership Annual Giving Officer plans, implements, evaluates, and grows a leadership annual giving program through donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for gifts of $1,000 to $9,999 in support of Randolph College’s annual priorities, including the Randolph Fund and other strategic current-use needs. This position manages a portfolio of approximately 500 prospects and works to qualify, acquire, upgrade, retain, and steward donors through personalized outreach and meaningful engagement. 

Essential functions 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions: 

• Proactively and strategically manage a leadership annual giving portfolio of approximately 500 prospects, building annual strategies that move donors toward renewed and increased support at the $1,000–$9,999 level. 
• Conduct 120-150 donor meetings annually (in-person, virtual, and/or scheduled call), with the majority focusing on solicitations for renewal, upgrade, and acquisition, and the remainder including discovery, qualification, and stewardship; develop and execute individualized solicitation and stewardship plans. 
• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership annual giving donors and prospects capable of making gifts within the position’s gift range; partner with major gifts and planned giving colleagues to coordinate moves when donor capacity or intent indicates an upgrade opportunity outside this role’s range. 
• Meet specific personal performance goals for contacts, proposals/solicitations, and dollars raised; complete timely follow-up and develop future strategies toward growing a prospect pipeline aligned with institutional advancement priorities. 
• Track activities, contacts, proposals, and results in Raiser’s Edge, maintaining accurate documentation and ensuring strong pipeline management and forecasting. 
• Work closely with the Director of the Randolph Fund on annual giving strategy, messaging priorities, portfolio movement, and coordination with broader annual giving efforts (e.g., Give Day, Reunion Class Gift, donor societies, special appeals, and fiscal/calendar year-end strategies). 
• Collaborate with donor relations to deliver timely, personalized stewardship and recognition for leadership annual giving donors, including impact reporting and donor engagement opportunities. 
• Assist with creating proposals, tailored talking points, and written materials for leadership annual giving solicitations and cultivation meetings; coordinate with the assistant director of advancement communications as needed. 
• Partner with alumni relations and campus colleagues to support engagement activities and events that strengthen donor relationships and support annual giving goals (including occasional evening/weekend events). 
• Coordinate efforts with College leadership, faculty, and staff as appropriate to advance institutional advancement goals and the mission of the College. 
• Serve on College and institutional advancement committees as needed; perform other duties as assigned. 

Competencies 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills with strong persuasive ability and comfort making direct asks. 
• Ability to translate the College’s strategic plan priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities. 
• Strong organization, time management, and follow-through; ability to manage a large portfolio while maintaining a high-quality donor experience. 
• Demonstrated ability to analyze donor data, set priorities, meet goals, and execute strategies using a CRM (Raiser’s Edge preferred). 
• Professional judgment, discretion, and commitment to confidentiality. 
• Collaborative, team-oriented approach with a strong service mindset. 

Physical demands 

• May lift 10/15 pounds in the office and heavier suitcases when traveling; may walk and bend in the performance of job functions. 
• Travel required 
• Frequent travel (50% or greater). Some evening and weekend work are required. 

Required education and experience 

• Bachelor’s degree required.  
• At least two years of direct solicitation experience in higher education or nonprofit. 

Preferred education and experience 

• Three or more years of experience in higher education fundraising or another nonprofit environment, preferably including portfolio management and direct solicitation. 
• Proven record of closing gifts, ideally within a leadership giving environment. 
• Experience in a travel-heavy position.