Position Summary:

The division of Institutional Advancement at Lenoir-Rhyne University has significantly grown our fundraising activity over the past five years, and we are investing in ourselves to build on this significant momentum.

The newly created Leadership Annual Gift Officer (LGO) is an active member of the annual giving team within Institutional Advancement and is responsible for raising annual support for the Fund for Lenoir-Rhyne and the New Life Fund from alumni, parents and friends as well as increasing the University’s alumni participation rate. This key member will work closely with the major gifts team, advancement services, and donor relations to ensure prospects are solicited comprehensively. This position will play an important role in growing the Fund for Lenoir-Rhyne and the New Life Fund during the comprehensive campaign. The LGO will regularly travel to build relationships with donors, prospects, and volunteers

This key position offers a unique opportunity to be part of an ambitious and transformational campaign. Reporting to the Director of Annual Giving, the Leadership Annual Gift Officer is responsible for the qualification, cultivation solicitation, and stewardship of Lenoir-Rhyne University alumni, families, and friends capable of making leadership annual gifts of $1,500 or more. The Leadership Gift Officer carries their own portfolio of approximately 150 rated individuals. In addition to annual fundraising goals, this position will identify new major-and principal gift prospects though superior qualification work. A highly visible representative of the University, the Leadership Annual Gift Officer has a deep appreciation for the liberal arts college experience and a strong personal commitment to Lenoir-Rhyne’s values with a comprehensive understanding of best practices for annual giving engagement. The Leadership Annual Gift Officer will regularly travel to build relationships with donors, prospects, and volunteers.   

Essential Accountabilities:

• Build and expand Lenoir-Rhyne University’s leadership annual prospect pool; identify strategies and opportunities to align LR and Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) alumni with university priorities.
• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a prospect pool of highly rated annual fund individuals, with a focus on President’s Society level gifts ($1,500 or more) to the Fund for Lenoir-Rhyne and the New Life Fund.
• Conduct a minimum of 100 face-to-face meetings with alumni, families, and friends of the university during the fiscal year.
• Qualify individuals for potential major gift capacity and interests, noting appropriate background on prospects for moves management.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of Lenoir-Rhyne University’s strategic priorities and goals.
• Participate in execution of events and programs in support of development activities, engage key volunteers and effectively utilize events and other activities to move solicitations forward.
• Form collaborative team partnerships with other development staff members and peers to maximize fundraising productivity.
• Maintain precise records of donor contact through Lenoir-Rhyne’s donor database system and prepare timely call reports.
• Participate in professional development training by the university, the Office of Institutional Advancement, and professional associations to enhance expertise and skills.
• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications 

• Organizational and time management skills are essential, as is the ability to work effectively both as part of a team and independently.
• Strong listening, oral, and written communication skills
• Talent to manage multiple projects and priorities while working within deadlines to achieve ambitious goals.
• Three (3) or more years of fundraising or related experience; demonstrated success in making direct solicitations, preferred.
• Professional conduct and appropriate handling of confidential information is required.
• Extensive teamwork skills and experience collaborating in a diverse community to leverage activities, initiatives, and programs for multiple purposes.
• Have strong organizational skills and be able to work independently. 
• Be proficient in navigating and using Microsoft Office, Outlook, Word, Excel, RE/NXT.
• Willingness to travel and to work hours outside the normal working day (i.e. nights and weekends)
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Appreciation of Lenoir-Rhyne’s mission and the ability to effectively communicate it.

Education and Experience Requirement  

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience
• Experience in direct and varied areas of development or alumni relations, preferably in a higher education non-profit setting.
• Experience working with volunteer donors.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Power Point, Microsoft 365, and Excel).
• Occasional night and weekend work is required.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to travel to on and off campus events.
• Fully vaccinated and boosted.

Work Schedule:

• Standard office hours Monday—Friday 8:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
• Occasional evening and weekend work is required as job duties demand.

Behavioral Expectations

• Maintain high integrity, confidentiality, and ethical standards.
• Maintain a healthy and safe environment.
• Maintain and contribute to a professional, respectful, courteous, diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.
• Treat other individuals with dignity, respect, and kindness.
• Adhere to all university policies, procedures, standards, values, and comply with all federal, state, and local laws.

Position requirements in the role description outlined above indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities deemed necessary to perform the job competently. Role descriptions are an overview of the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the position and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list for the position. Employees may be required to perform other job-related assignments as requested and acquire new skills and responsibilities. Lenoir-Rhyne University reserves the right to modify, add, remove, or waive the responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the position.