Major/Leadership/Principal Gifts

Senior Advancement Officer, Major Gifts
The Senior Advancement Officer position at Rensselaer is an excellent opportunity for an experienced development professional who wants to build upon his/her solicitation and relationship-building skills with the highest level donors of a university.  This is an opportunity to work with a top development team at one of the nation’s best schools and be a part of a $1 billion capital campaign.   

The successful candidate will have a track record of success in closing six and seven-figure gifts, be highly organized and a creative self-starter, and have the ability to strategize and prepare solicitations with/for the president, and top leadership.  In addition, candidates should have a thorough understanding of “moves management,” with a complete appreciation of how donors advance from cultivation to stewardship

For more information contact Teresa Ward. 

University of Rochester
Rochester, NY
www.rochester.edu

The University of Rochester is one of the nation's leading private universities, with a personal scale that creates exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close work with faculty. The University consistently ranks among the top colleges and universities nationwide in federally financed science, engineering, medical, and other research.

Nationally recognized for his successful institution building, Joel Seligman, the University's 10th president, counts among his highest priorities acquiring the financial resources to enable Rochester to soar in quality and reputation. On his first day in office, July 1, 2005, President Seligman announced the start of a plan for the largest capital campaign in Rochester's history.

Jim Thompson, Senior Vice President of Development, a national leader in University Advancement, is currently creating an integrated central development operation that calls for the hiring of an additional 100 people in preparation for the capital campaign.

With the inception of its new Advancement program, the University of Rochester is searching for numerous development professionals to join its team.

Executive Director, Leadership Gifts  
The Executive Director, Leadership Gifts is responsible for a portfolio of 25-50 of the university's top rated Leadership Gift prospects ($1 Million to $4.9 Million). Working in a dynamic team-oriented environment, the ED will lead the Leadership Gifts team in orchestrating and implementing complex identification, cultivation, discovery, solicitation and stewardship activity across the University for this highly specialized segment of the University donor prospect pool. Reporting to the Deputy Vice President for University Advancement, the ED, Leadership Gifts is directly responsible for the moves management of Leadership Gift donors and the identification of new prospects nationally and internationally while focusing on long-range strategic priorities, advancing the University's goals, and communicating a broad vision to University constituents.

The ideal candidate will have proven success in stewardship or donor relations, preferably in higher education, and a strong track record of developing and implementing donor-centered stewardship initiatives that increase gift levels and donor participation. Supervisory and management experience in stewardship or donor relations preferred and an ability to take charge and manage significant administrative projects, make important decisions, and design and implement new programs. A personal belief in the mission, goals and objectives of private higher education and desire to change the world necessary.

For more information contact Jill Lasman.

Executive Director, Principal Gifts 
The Office of Principal Gifts manages engagement of donors in considering transformational gifts to support the University of Rochester's highest priorities. Reporting to the Senior AVP for Planned Giving and Principal Gifts, the Executive Director of Principal Gifts is primarily responsible for assisting the President, senior academic officers and senior management of University Advancement in the identification, qualification, fine tuned strategic engagement, solicitation and highly personalized stewardship of prospects and donors with a capital rating of $5 million+.

The successful candidate will have experience in a sophisticated Advancement environment, preferably in a research university setting, as well as working closely with a highly ranked college or university president. An understanding of moves management, major and principal gifts fundraising in a campaign context, and a working knowledge of alumni programs, processes and procedures targeted to high-wealth prospects desired. Proven direct experience soliciting and closing numerous seven-figure and/or transformational gifts in a campaign context required. A personal belief in the mission, goals and objectives of private higher education and desire to change the world necessary.

For more information contact Jill Lasman

Regional Director of Major Gifts   
A new central office of Major Gifts and Regional Programs is being formed and aggressively staffed at the University of Rochester. Charged with dramatically increasing both the quality and size of the university's prospect pool, the Regional Directors will play a key role in the overall growth of private philanthropy at the university. Regional Directors are based in Rochester and deployed geographically, and will both originate prospect/donor activity and coordinate all Advancement work in their assigned regions. They will carry a portfolio of approximately 150 qualified prospects and make a minimum of 175 face-to-face visits per year. The Regional Directors are full and active members of the Major Gift team and of the broader university Advancement team, participating in strategy and planning, and contributing their ideas and counsel.
The successful candidate will possess a track record in individual major gift or high-end annual gift fundraising, preferably in higher education. A broad knowledge of the principles of fundraising and the ability to participate in all aspects of the gift cycle are necessary. Individuals who have worked in a regionally assigned development office and a passion for working "on the road" are preferred.

Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO
www.wustl.edu

Washington University in St. Louis is a private, independent research university dedicated to challenging its faculty and students alike to seek new knowledge and a greater understanding in an ever-changing, multicultural world. Counted among the world's leaders in teaching and research and highly regarded for its commitment to excellence in learning, Washington University draws students and faculty to St. Louis from across the country and around the globe.

Building on the success of their last record-breaking campaign, the largest in the university's history and the seventh largest completed by a college or university in the nation, Washington University is currently seeking development professionals to join their growing and collaborative team. Quickly ascending the list among premier universities, it's an exciting time to be a part of Washington University.

Regional Director of Development  
The university is also seeking a Regional Director of Development for the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of capital prospects that reside outside the St. Louis Metro Area (but in the United States) and are capable of making gifts of $50,000 or more. The Regional Directors, which will number 10 when fully staffed, are also responsible for building strong working relationships with assigned schools and serving as their major gifts expert.

The successful candidate will have three or more years of fundraising experience with a focus on major gifts, preferably within a complex university or organization with sub-units and multiple reporting relationships; expertise in personal solicitations and the capital gift process; and a strong personal commitment to higher education and its advancement. The ideal candidate will be highly organized, a creative self-starter, and have the ability to work effectively with Trustees, Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, Deans, School or Unit Directors and high-level volunteers.

For more information contact Maureen Huminik.