My MontreatAsk Montreat

Viewing: About Montreat » Employment at Montreat » Major Gift Officer

October 12, 2008   Login


__________
Gateways for...
 
Major Gift Officer  

Position:   
Major Gift Officer

Department: 
Advancement

Reports to:   
Responsible to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Objective:   
This position exists for the purpose of developing a strategic and comprehensive stewardship program in a Biblical manner by identifying, developing, cultivating and soliciting major gifts necessary for all College funds.

Dimensions of the Position:  General

Institutional Context
- An understanding of Montreat College and its place in the non-profit educational world.

  • A general understanding of higher education and a more specific understanding of Christian liberal arts college education-especially Montreat's position in the CCCU.
  • A general awareness of the operation and philosophy of Montreat College.
  • A clear understanding of the organizational structure of the College and its various departments.

Personal Qualities - The ability to identify personal strengths, weaknesses, skills, and limitations and to use this understanding profitably

  • The ability to create and maintain a Christian professional atmosphere in all internal and external relationships.
  • A spirit of cooperation and willingness to serve others.
  • The desire and ability to disciple and mentor students.
  • A professional appearance.

Spiritual Abilities - Evidence of a desire to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ.

  • An identifiable salvation experience.
  • A pattern of spiritual development characterized by prayer, Bible study, and regular attendance at a local church or involvement in church ministry.
  • A commitment to ministry and encouragement of others toward the same.

Dimensions of the Position:  Specific

  • Education / Experience - to provide skilled background for the job tasks.
  • Bachelors Degree from an accredited institution required; Masters Degree preferred.
  • Minimum of 5 years of successful experience in stewardship or development field or 10 years in the business environment.

Special Skills - to apply professional and/or technical skills and other resources to the job tasks.

Organizational

  • The ability to personally solve problems within the scope of the job function.
  • The ability to question and explore more efficient ways of accomplishing the job function.
  • The ability to develop ways in which the different areas of the giving program can be enhanced.
  • The ability to provide a Biblical defense of and philosophy of stewardship.

People skills - able to visit and cultivate people as well as to stimulate and encourage coworkers to create a professional atmosphere.

  • Supervision/Management skills to carry out job functions of team members.
  • Able to represent Montreat College at events and to the community through various medias.
  • Able to maintain absolute confidentiality in handling all matters within the College.
  • A concern for the entire ministry of the College, not just the areas of the Advancement Department.

Technical

  • A general awareness of the US tax laws and their relationship to the College.
  • Budgeting skills necessary for strategic and operational planning purposes.
  • Research skills to develop substantial gift support for all funds at Montreat College.

Communication skills - able to communicate to various groups.

  • Analysis skills for analyzing giving trends of donors and funds. 
  • Computer proficiency, preferably in Word for Windows, Excel, Power Point.

Job Tasks - to determine specific tasks required of the position.

  • Supervision/Management/Organizational Skills - No direct reports
  • Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects/current donors giving $2,500+ with an emphasis on $5,000 to $10,000 gifts.
  • Work with millionaires, CEOs, executives, corporate and foundation upper-management, and attorneys.
  • Cultivate and develop giving programs for parents, alumni, and the business community.
  • Represent the College to various groups, including churches, civic groups, para-church groups, and colleagues.
  • Serve on various committees ie. Financial Aid Task Force, Marketing Committee and others as determined by the VPIA.
  • Administer policies established by the College.
  • Maintain the integrity of the Advancement program.
  • Initial oversight of all restricted and endowed scholarships

Creativity - able to generate and recognize new and innovative solutions in carrying out the job function.

  • The ability to personally solve problems within the scope of the job function.
  • The ability to question and explore more efficient ways of accomplishing the job function.
  • The ability to develop ways in which different areas of the giving program can be enhanced.

Research Skills - possess the skills necessary to develop substantial gift support.

  • Develop and implement methods for:
  1. Increasing donor support
  2. Reactivating lapsed donors
  3. Finding new donors
  4. Developing business partners
  5. Develop and implement methods for increasing foundation support.

Planning Skills - able to develop a department plan, as well as to participate in the development of the College's strategic and long-range plan.

 

  • Develop a yearly Operational Plan.
  • Develop a plan for new major donor acquisition.
  • Develop visitation and cultivation strategies for existing donors and lapsed donors.

Communication - able to clearly communicate the College mission and needs.

  • Speaking skills - able to clearly articulate the needs and benefits of Montreat College and the Mission-Vision-Values of the college.
  • Writing Skills - able to communicate through writing.
    1.    Appeal letters
    2.    Thank you letters
    3.    Proposals
    4.    Articles
    5.    Brochures
  • Reporting - able to give accurate and updated giving reports.
    1.    Meet regularly with VPIA
    2.    Meet with the President concerning development of major gifts as needed
  • Analysis - able to analyze data.
  • Analyze giving histories and patterns.
  • Anticipate trends.
  • Determine shifts in giving.
  • Project donor giving capabilities.
  • Analyze giving reports.
  • Assist in other duties whenever called upon as needed for the good and welfare of the total College ministry.
  • The desire to grow, develop, and mature, both spiritually and professionally.