Director of Major and Planned Gifts
Issue date: Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Term: Full-time, 12 months
Reports to: Executive Director of Development
Description: Wheaton College seeks a talented and accomplished fundraiser for its Director
of Major and Planned Gifts position.
Wheaton College offers a challenging and innovative curriculum to a select
student body of 1,550. Founded in 1834, the college has successfully completed
its transition, begun in 1988, to being coeducational. Wheaton is thriving, values diversity, and aspires to new levels of excellence transforming the lives of its students.
Reporting to the newly appointed Executive Director of Development for the
Office for College Advancement, the Director of Major and Planned Gifts will
conceive and direct a vigorous, integrated, and comprehensive major gifts and
gift planning program.
The Director of Major and Planned Gifts will pay particular attention to the
identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of alumnae/i, parent, and friends of Wheaton College capable of pledging a major gift. The Director will also look for opportunities to maximize giving potential through gift planning.
For this key role Wheaton seeks candidates with significant achievements raising 6- and 7-figure gifts, as well as successful management of staff and volunteers. Seven plus years experience is required, with an emphasis on experience in higher education advancement or advancement with other other complex organizations.
Holding a senior level development position, the Director of Major and Planned
Gifts will be responsible for overseeing an integrated and comprehensive major
gift and planned giving program. The position involves working closely with the
Executive Director of Development to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward
major gifts donors and also distinguish opportunities to maximize giving potential through gift planning.
Responsibilities:
* Manage a personal pool of rated individuals;
* Assist in the development and implementation of prospect identification
and solicitation;
* Facilitate the solicitation of major gifts and principal gifts for defined
institutional priorities;
* Perform direct solicitations independently, or in tandem with volunteers,
the President, or other college officers;
* Supervise and provide leadership to the major gifts and gift planning staff;
- Actively participating in recruiting, retaining and motivating staff;
- Along with Executive Director of Development, overseeing current
charitable implementation of gift planning marketing and staff training materials produced by gift planning officers; and
- Serving as a mentor to junior staff members.
* Play an active role in the process of analyzing fund raising potential,
setting objectives, and achieving stated goals;
* Chair the bi-monthly meetings of the Development Strategy Group, a
senior-level planning session that determines appropriate cultivation,
solicitation, and stewardship strategies for top-tier donors; and
* Handle or oversee logistical and creative elements related to the major
gifts program and prospects, both on and off campus.
Requirements: Seven or more years of progressively responsible fund raising in higher education (or another closely related field) and management experience;
* Demonstrated success in soliciting and closing 6- and 7-figure gifts;
* Ability to problem-solve in a fast-paced environment; to listen carefully,
and to build consensus;
* Ability to motivate and manage staff and volunteers;
* Strong verbal and written communication skills;
* Skills to establish priorities, set objectives, and achieve stated goals;
* Exemplary interpersonal skills including the ability to interact effectively
with people of all backgrounds;
* Willingness to travel and valid driver's license; and
* Ability to adapt to change.
To apply: Please email cover letter and resume in confidence to:
wheaton@developmentguild.com
Andy Thompson
Senior Consultant
Development Guild/DDI
233 Harvard Street, Suite 107
Brookline, MA 02446-5017