Major Gift Officer, University Priorities

Major Gift Officer, University Priorities George Mason University is seeking two Major Gift Officers in Advancement & Alumni Relations who are strategic collaborators with experience in identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding lead donors.

The Major Gift Officers will report to the Deputy Vice President for Advancement (DVP) and each manage a portfolio of approximately 125 potential and current Major Gift ($25,000) level donors to the university.

They will be responsible for facilitating all phases of the gift cycle, including initiating contact, cultivating and moving potential donors to solicitation and closure, creating solicitations, writing proposals, and stewarding donors.

They will support the Vice President for Advancement (VP) in identifying and implementing strategies for success in securing significant philanthropic support, and work collaboratively with key volunteers, school leadership and faculty, Advancement staff and other school representatives to cultivate donors for university priorities.

George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.

Key Responsibilities: The Major Gift Officers will identify and cultivate major gift prospects, including developing ways to find new prospects and following up on inquiries regarding significant gifts to the university; Personally solicit assigned donor portfolio through face-to-face visits, including preparation of personalized materials; Proactively identify, develop, and deliver engagement opportunities to donors to ensure the maximization of their financial and non-financial support; Research, develop, and write funding proposals, appeal letters, and reports as required; Be accountable for meeting or exceeding established monthly fundraising goals and metrics; Solicit and secure 6 and 7 figure major gifts from assigned donors; Manage a budget ensuring that expenditures are in compliance and expense reports are prepared and submitted as needed; Work with prospects to educate them on university priorities and soliciting and closing outright and planned gifts; Effectively manage approximately 125 prospects through personal visits, correspondence, electronic and telephone communication; Be accountable for cultivating relationships of individual and organizational fundraising with focus on retention, recapture, and growth; Build trusting relationships with advancement colleagues as well as deans, directors, prospects, donors and volunteers; Become immersed in the key strategies and initiatives of George Mason University; and Be responsible for other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications: A Bachelor’s degree in a related field and demonstrated successful professional advancement and/or fundraising-related experience, preferably in higher education; or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill and abilities have been achieved; Master’s degree preferred; A minimum of five (5) to seven (7) years of prior fundraising experience in successfully cultivating and securing major gifts of $25,000 or more.

A consistent record of building solid relationships with prospects and donors.

An understanding of basic principles and techniques of planned giving and work closely with planned giving colleagues.

An ability to manage a mixed portfolio of approximately 125 individual, corporate, and prospective donors involving travel and considerable face to face meetings.

An understanding of business processes of advancement operations including prospect management, donor relations, and gift processing.

Strong interpersonal, verbal, listening, and written communication skills.

An ability to juggle multiple priorities; strong organizational skills.

Demonstrated aptitude at representing an organization in a professional and highly effective manner.

An ability to work well with diverse groups of constituents and colleagues.

A high level of creativity, initiative, and motivation.

An ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality with respect to prospects and donors.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office
– Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Familiarity with CRM fundraising software.

Ability to travel as needed; evenings and weekends may be required.

Requests for information, written nominations, confidential inquiries, and all application materials should be directed in confidence, to: Susan VanGilder, Partner Staci Williams Seeley, Associate Storbeck / Pimentel & Associates, LP GMUGiftOfficersstorbecksearch.com “For full consideration, applicants must apply at https://jobs.gmu.edu/ ; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of five professional references with contact information.” “Great Careers Begin at Mason George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in both academics and research.

Mason holds a top U.S.

News and World Report “Up and Coming” spot for national universities and is recognized for its global appeal and excellence in higher education.

Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth.

Rooted in Mason’s diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.

If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/ George Mason University, Where Innovation is Tradition.”