Job Summary
The Director of Development, part of the Office of Institutional Advancement team, builds personalized and purposeful relationships with the Millsaps community resulting in mutually beneficial investments that build and inspire positive change. The Development Officer is part of the Philanthropic Giving team within the Office of Institutional Advancement and works to secure philanthropic support for individual donors to the College. This position solicits donors for charitable contributions of $25,000+ to secure funding for a variety of initiatives and strategic priorities for the College. The Director manages a portfolio of alumni and donors and travels to defined territories within the United States on a regular basis and is expected to make one-on-one visits with donors. This position reports to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement.
The position works on-site in Jackson, MS with regular office hours from 8:00am – 4:30pm with a one-hour unpaid lunch break. Occasional evening and weekend work is required to support events, donor engagement, and travel. Additional availability will be needed during peak periods such as calendar and fiscal year-end giving.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee a regional and local portfolio of ~75-125 constituents, raising philanthropic outright and planned gifts of $50,000 or more to advance the mission of Millsaps College. Understand Millsaps’ programs, aspirations, and strategic priorities, and build and nurture relationships with donors to match the donor’s interests and passions to the institution’s highest priorities. Implement equitable philanthropic practices, including community-centric fundraising practices, in work with donors.
- Initiate contact with a portfolio of individual major gift donors and potential donors who have the capacity to make philanthropic gifts between $25,000-$2,500,000.
- Qualify philanthropic capacity and affinity through research and donor engagement to determine alignment with institutional priorities and readiness for deeper cultivation
- Develop and execute appropriate cultivation strategies that align with donor’s interests and potential.
- Lead and complete successful solicitations by preparing compelling proposals, coordinating with campus partners as needed, and ensuring timely follow-up and gratitude.
- Maintain stewardship contacts and strengthen relationships through a disciplined schedule of appointments and other meaningful activities.
- Create, implement, and maintain a custom relationship plan for each qualified donor to assist in the creation of engagement offers and asks.
- Regularly document these activities through the donor database and leverage digital relationship management tools in daily work.
- Travel to visit portfolio donors in assigned key U.S. regions throughout the year.
- Plan and coordinate travel logistics associated with donor trips, and maintain office work requirements while on the road.
- Actively engages in learning and practicing principles to increase individual capacity to support institutional changes that create and sustain a welcoming environment across the Millsaps community.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field, or an equivalent mix of education and experience
- At least 3 years as a front-line, major gift fundraiser; proven experience soliciting a variety of major gifts, including experience with planned gifts and complex planned giving vehicles, such as charitable gift annuities, trusts, IRA rollovers, gifts of real estate and property, etc. preferred. Additional relevant work experience may supplement at least 3 years of work as a front-line, major gift fundraiser.
- Understanding of Community-Centric Fundraising and inclusive leadership
- Able to manage complex projects and work as an independent individual contributor
- Excellent time management and prioritization skills
- Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, both written and in person
- Comfort with discussing philanthropy and personal financial conversations with individuals
- Ability to work confidently in a variety of computer programs, including Google Suite, Excel, email, calendar, and database CRM programs
- Familiarity with Slate, The Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, or similar Advancement CRM preferred
- Able to utilize professionalism, discernment, tactful communication, and uphold ethical code of conduct when interacting with a diverse population of alumni, donors and internal stakeholders
- Solid and consistent record keeping and general administrative responsibilities required for smooth office operation
- Ability to stay within a set travel budget and manage expense reports related to travel
- Able to exercise mature judgement in working with on- and off-campus constituents
- Solid and consistent record keeping and general administrative responsibilities required for smooth office operation
- Timely response to colleagues and donors
Physical & Availability Requirements
- Ability to travel as needed for donor visits throughout assigned region
- Must be available and willing to work evenings and weekends during peak seasons and for special events
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Manual dexterity needed for keyboarding and other repetitive tasks.
- Must be able to lift and move up to 15 pounds without assistance.
Application Procedure
Interested candidates should email a copy of their resume and a letter of interest to [email protected]. Please include “Director of Development” in the subject of the email. No phone calls please.