Leadership Gifts Officer

Position Details

Position Information

Position Title
Leadership Gifts Officer

Location
Appleton

Department
Major & Planned Giving

Position Type
Staff

Position Description & Qualifications

REPORTS TO: Director of Leadership & Planned Giving
LOCATION: 1025 E. South River Street, Appleton, WI

ABOUT US

The Office of University Advancement advances and amplifies the mission, purposes, and goals of Lawrence University through fundraising and partnerships, volunteer leadership support, and alumni and community engagement.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

The Leadership Gifts Officer ( LGO ) is a member of the Advancement team who contributes actively to the success of the Leadership Gifts program as well as the university's overall fundraising success - through collaborative and individual strategy and execution. The LGO carries a portfolio and is responsible for strategy, execution, and results of qualification, cultivation, and solicitation of individual Leadership Giving prospects and donors. Further, along with all fundraising colleagues, the LGO is expected to contribute substantively to strategy, execution, and results for the Legacy Circle (planned giving), which should be a growing membership.

DUTIES

• Collaborates with Advancement colleagues on qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies both comprehensively - collaborating across all levels and modes of giving - and specifically for Leadership Gifts.
• Participates in regular team portfolio and gift strategy check-ins/progress updates led by the AVP for Advancement Services.
• Qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards prospects and donors at the major/leadership gift level ($25K-$250K and higher) for the university's strategic priorities and secures Planned Gifts with intentionality and Lawrence Fund (annual fund) contributions where appropriate.
• Meets with 120 prospect annually.
• Supports, as needed, the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts of key university volunteers, including alumni committees/boards and others by developing strategy, briefing documents, letters and other correspondences as well as assistance with donor/prospect-focused events.
• Ensures collaboratively (with Advancement Services team) efficient and accurate recording, accounting, acknowledgement, and execution of gifts received by the university.
• Supports the fundraising of Reunion and Class volunteer teams as assigned.
• Participates in professional forums, conferences, associations, and platforms as appropriate and shares pertinent information, trends, concepts, and technologies learned with other Advancement colleagues.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The LGO reports to the Director of Leadership & Planned Giving. S/he works collaboratively with other gift officers, all members of the Leadership and Planned Giving team, and the full Advancement team. Additionally, the LGO interacts with colleagues across the university, particularly all members of the Advancement team, the Office of the President, the Office of Finance and Administration, faculty, staff, alumni, students, trustees, donors, prospects, parents, community members, and friends of the university.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS REQUIRED

Bachelor's degree required with at least five years of senior-level fundraising experience with demonstrated results securing leadership gifts. Demonstrated expertise in planned giving preferred. Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of significant issues in higher education- particularly as related to a liberal arts college and conservatory of music setting-preferred.

• Significant knowledge of and demonstrated experience with philanthropic strategies, tactics, and technologies.
• Demonstrated success with portfolio and relationship management, including individual volunteers, volunteer groups, and volunteer leaders.
• Demonstrated success with qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of leadership and planned gifts.
• Expertise in the intricacies of planned giving-theories, practices, and vehicles-and demonstrated ability to communicate/teach the same to varying constituencies preferred.
• Familiarity with prospect research tools and practices.
• Proficient computer skills including MS Word, Excel, Power Point, and database applications.
• Ability to work collaboratively as well as independently.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive workplace practices that support communities of belonging and demonstrated ability to work with a plurality of constituencies and individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Exceptional organizational skills, interpersonal skills, attention to detail, eye for efficiencies, prioritization skills, problem-solving skills, positive professional demeanor, understanding of the need for confidentiality, enthusiasm, creativity, adaptability, flexibility, and strong work ethic. Sense of humor encouraged.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Bachelor's degree is strongly preferred.
• Ability to work some evening and weekend hours and to travel extensively as needed.
• Must clear formal criminal-records check, driving-records check, and professional references check.
• Must possess a valid Wisconsin Driver's License and complete campus safe-driving training session before driving university-owned or rented vehicles.

BENEFITS

• 3 weeks paid vacation plus additional holidays
• 2 weeks of sick leave
• Generous employer match for 403B retirement fund
• Tuition benefits for employees and their immediate family
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer sponsored life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Work in a collaborative team environment
• Free access to wellness center and library for employees and their immediate family

APPLICATIONS

With great enthusiasm, we encourage applications from individuals who are committed to the mission and values of the university and the Advancement team and who will support and contribute to an inclusive community of belonging for students, colleagues, alumni, donors, university friends, and others.

For questions, please contact Chuck Demler at . Please submit applications with a cover letter via by January 31, 2025 for best consideration.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
S517P

Number of Vacancies
2

Posting Date

Best Consideration Date
01/31/2025

Close Date

Open Until Filled

Special Instructions Summary

Anticipated Number of Hours per Week
40