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Form of workJob Description
Position Overview:
Gardner-Webb University is seeking a highly motivated and goal-oriented Advancement Officer (AO) to join our dynamic team. As an integral part of the team, the AO will be responsible for managing a portfolio of alumni and university friends with major gift capacity. The AO will engage in significant discovery work to identify and cultivate new prospects, aiming to build a qualified major gift portfolio consisting of 130-150 households over a multi-year period. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional interpersonal and communication skills and a deep commitment to higher education and the values of Gardner-Webb University.
Responsibilities:
• Collaborate with colleagues within University Advancement (UA) and across campus to ensure fundraising strategies align with university priorities.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gift prospects, including individuals, corporations, and foundations, through face-to-face meetings, written proposals, and other engagement strategies.
• Using CRM system, maintain individualized prospect engagement and solicitation plans based on donor interests and university needs.
• Meet monthly, quarterly, and annual fundraising metrics as defined by the supervisor.
• Serve as a competent and professional representative of Gardner-Webb University.
• Travel, including overnight travel, is required.
• Actively engage in the life of the university through attendance at campus events.
• Undertake additional tasks and special projects as assigned.
Qualifications:
• Strong understanding of advancement activities in higher education, including knowledge of best practices and emerging trends in fundraising and donor engagement specific to the higher education sector.
• Proven ability to distill and communicate relevant information from large datasets to inform fundraising strategies and decision-making.
• The ability to effectively communicate and connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including donors, alumni, faculty, and community members.
• Enthusiastic about high-volume discovery work and eager to take on challenges in identifying and qualifying potential major gift prospects.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to craft a compelling message tailored to different audiences and channels.
• Skilled at coordinating and prioritizing multiple tasks effectively, demonstrating strong organizational and time management abilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Highly motivated, goal-oriented individual with a proven track record of meeting quantitative goals.
• Self-motivated, confident, and mature, able to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
Education and Experience:
• Bachelor's degree is required.
• Minimum of three years of experience in development or related roles, preferably in a higher education setting.
• Demonstrated experience working in a metrics-driven environment, utilizing data and analytics to measure performance against quantitative goals.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Candidates should complete the application and include a letter of interest, résumé, and names and contact information for at least three professional references with their submission.
Gardner-Webb University (gardner-webb.edu) is a coeducational, residential, private, historically Baptist, Christian institution, located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina with easy access to Charlotte, Asheville, and Greenville-Spartanburg. The University offers 80+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs to approximately 3,000 students. GWU is a Carnegie-classified Doctoral/Professional University. In 2023, Gardner-Webb was home to students from 93 counties in North Carolina, 44 US states, and 43 foreign countries. GWU is a NCAA Division I institution with 22 athletic teams and 460 student-athletes.
