Director, Major Gifts Officer, Western Region

Job no: 502778
Work type: Exempt Staff Full-time
Location: WESTRO, Western Regional Office, Fully Remote
Categories: Development/ Alumni Relations

The Director, Western Region, is a fully remote position that will reside in California. This position focuses on cultivating relationships with current and potential donors. The Director will manage a portfolio, guide donors through the gift cycle, make solicitations, write proposals, and steward donors, while collaborating with volunteers, university leadership, and Development and Alumni Relations staff to spearhead a proactive philanthropic strategy aligned with university priorities. The Lehigh community takes seriously our commitment to antiracism and The Principles of our Equitable Community.

Position Number: S84300This position is a Grade: 12-40 with an approximate salary range of $101,780-$123,810 and is subject to change based on experience, skills and qualifications

Lehigh University offers a comprehensive and family friendly benefits package which includes but is not limited to Health Care, Retirement and Educational benefits. Information can be found on our website at https://hr.lehigh.edu/benefits

1. Develop long term relationships for the university with major gift donors and prospective major gift donors to secure financial support for University priorities
*Securing a minimum of $1.5 million annually in philanthropic support for the university through the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major gift donors to the university
*Assess capacity, determine inclination and identify donors’ passions for areas of support through face-to-face visits
*Develop a strategic pipeline of major gift solicitations from assigned prospects
*Arrange and/or staff campus visits, tours, cultivation events and meetings for assigned prospects or for a project/regional area
*Prepare strategic and clear briefing materials that follow standard operation procedures
*Engage senior leadership, deans, faculty and staff judiciously with prospective donors
*Prepare both customized and standardized proposals, correspondence and reports for prospective donors and donors that is accurate and compelling

2. Plans and executes strategies to qualify, cultivate and solicit major gift-rated prospects in your portfolio and the Western Region in support of institutional fundraising priorities
*Become familiar with institutional fundraising priorities, understand the case for support for each and explore opportunities for assigned alumni, parents and friends to make an impact through their philanthropic support
*Develop and execute on strategies for each major gift donor in your assigned portfolio to guide your pipeline activity and travel plans
*Track fundraising progress, monitor pipeline, LYBUNT, SYBUNT and new prospect activity in your portfolio and region
*Assist in the identification, recruitment and management of key fundraising volunteers
*Provide reports on pipeline and regional activity at 1:1 meetings with your manager and at department meetings as requested

3. Plans, coordinates and administers a comprehensive strategic development plan to engage major gift donors for the Western Region as assigned. Serves as liaison to/from development team for Western Region
*Collaborate with colleagues across DAR to develop and document comprehensive regional strategy to identify and qualify philanthropic prospects
*Coordinate activity as appropriate with colleagues from Principal Gifts, College and Constituents and Alumni Relations to ensure that Lehigh’s closest and most generous supporters are considered in the development of comprehensive regional strategies
*Cultivate a robust pipeline of prospects from assigned region to help achieve the university’s objectives
*Utilize alumni relations events/programming to enhance your philanthropic strategies for your major gift donors in a particular region
*Develop network within regions to drive engagement with an eye toward activity that will facilitate philanthropic cultivation
*Serve as Development representative at key meetings and as liaison to/from development team

4. Reporting and accounting
*Track all fundraising activity in development database of record in a timely manner
*Prepare pipeline updates for major gift and principal gift pipeline meetings as needed
*Provide reports on pipeline activity and performance during 1:1 meetings with your supervisor
*Inform colleagues of developments that impact their areas of responsibility in a timely manner
*Effectively communicate with prospect management when gifts are booked, ensure that gifts are booked properly and in accordance with accounting standards and University policies, troubleshoot when discrepancies discovered
*Prepare and submit travel expenses in a timely manner
*Coordinate stewardship efforts for assigned prospects

Special ConsiderationsPersons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Lehigh's Accommodations Specialist at inada@lehigh.eduThis position is responsible for driving university-owned vehicles as a routine function, therefore a valid Driver’s License and a good driving record is requiredThis position may be eligible for a fully remote work arrangement pending University approval; remote work opportunities for non contract positions are only offered within the United StatesQualifications

Bachelor's Degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience

One or two years of related experience and/or training

Five to eight years related work experience in a Development position in which external relationships have been strongly established

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the positionOnly complete applications will be considered therefore please complete the application in its entirety. Once the posting is removed from the website applications may no longer be allowed to be completed.

Advertised: March 26, 2024 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Open until filled