Leadership Annual Giving Officer Honors College

Leadership Annual Giving Officer Honors College

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Leadership Annual Giving Officer Honors College at its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Essential Functions (Job Duties) :

Support and participate in fundraising efforts, strategies, and initiatives for the Honors College (Honors). Manage a portfolio of leadership annual gift prospects of approximately 100-150 alumni and friends. Identify and qualify prospects. Cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership annual gift donors to meet established fundraising goals within the allocated expense budget. This position reports to the Senior Director, Donor Experience and Individual Giving.

Manage a portfolio of leadership annual gift prospects of approximately 100-150 alumni and friends. Identify and qualify prospects. Conduct one-on-one solicitations to strengthen constituent relations and increase donor giving at the $1,000 level or higher. Responsible for achieving assertive annual fundraising goal and assisting in meeting unit goals. Performance and productivity will be measured on the following core metrics as determined annually :

• Dollars raised for cash and in-kind gifts
• Number of gifts solicited between $1,000-$24,999
• Number of gifts closed from $1,000-$24,999
• Number of personal, strategic meetings (visits) with prospects and donors
• Number of significant and personal contacts made via phone and email with prospects and donors

Develop fundraising plans, strategies and activities to engage alumni and build a major donor pipeline. Establish realistic and achievable timelines and remain current with fundraising trends and techniques.

Develop strategies to engage prospects and donors and increase attendance at, and participation in, alumni & donor events and programs. Manage and oversee follow-up activities to acquire and upgrade donors and encourage gifts at the $1,000 level or higher.

Serve as liaison to the Annual and Digital Campaigns team on behalf of Honors. Collaborate and strategize with Annual and Digital Campaigns team on methodologies to increase the alumni, staff, student, and friend donor base. Play active role in executing plans for the annual Giving Day for Honors. Assist with the editing of annual giving solicitation letters, emails, and webpages.

Collaborate with the Donor Experience team to implement strategies to ensure appropriate stewardship of prospects and donors, including custom strategies for loyal donors. Assist with the coordination and distribution of endowment impact reports and annual scholarship reports. Assist recipients with questions.

Draft and negotiate gift and pledge documentation ranging from simple to moderate complexity. Regularly route donor contributions and required paperwork to central development for timely processing. Engage Honors colleagues as appropriate to support prospect strategies.

Perform other related duties and complete special projects as assigned.

Work context : This grid characterizes the position scope.

Job reports to : Senior Director

Leadership accountability : Implements operating plans

Supervisory accountability : None

Organizational accountability : None

Financial accountability : Monitors expenditures

Customer accountability : Interfaces with customers outside the S / C / D

Freedom to act : Subject to general input from supervisor

Unique Duties : Qualifications :

Minimum qualifications :

Education : Bachelor's degree

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in marketing, public relations, business administration, or related field.

Reasonable knowledge and understanding of university policies and procedures.

Experience :

Experienced (minimum 2 years of job-related experience)

Minimum 3 years of experience working as a fundraising professional in direct individual solicitations.

Direct experience preparing proposals and conducting gift solicitations preferred. Higher education or non-profit development and prior volunteer management experience preferred.

Professional understanding of, and interest in, Development and Alumni Affairs best practices and general operations. Positive and collaborative professional philosophy, recognizing that this position is integral to the achievement of the goals and objectives of Development and Alumni Affairs.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

Analytical and presentation skills : Ability to evaluate, interpret, and present complex information effectively in professionally prepared documents or presentations. Must possess a demonstrated attention to detail in order to achieve a high degree of accuracy.

Collaboration : Exhibits a willingness to partner with units across the university with integrity and high character to reach unified goals. Possesses the ability to navigate difficult situations with grace and understanding.

Communications skills : Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and professionally both orally and in writing. Strong interpersonal skills are a must. Demonstrates the ability to plan and deliver oral and written communications that are impactful and persuasive including presentations to university management and committees.

Learning agility : Independent and innovative self-starter who displays an ability to learn quickly and easily adapts to changing situations. Experience researching topics to gain knowledge and understanding when information gaps exist.

Planning and organization : Ability to manage several projects simultaneously, prioritize and plan work activities while meeting respective deadlines. Strong organizational and time-management skills required. Maturity, sound judgment and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a deadline-oriented environment.

Teamwork : Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues within the division and other units to gain full understanding of the project and desired outcome; ability to produce high quality and consistent results with assistance of team members; provide support to teammates when tackling complex projects.

Technical skills : Proficient in the use of complex administrative systems software, preferably in the higher education environment. Proficient with Microsoft Office suite, especially Word, Excel and Teams. Ability to understand and translate complex concepts into lay terms.

Working conditions : Office environment.

Adhere to confidentiality and data usage policy for the division.

This position requires a high level of commitment and enthusiasm. Due to travel requirements, evening meetings, and special events, candidate must be willing to work extended hours as needed.