Careers Job Description
General Description
Job Title: Major Gifts and Institutional Relations Officer
Category: Managerial and Professional
Location: OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT, Lehman College
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
POSITION DETAILS
Reporting to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement, the Major Gifts and Institutional Relations Officer is primarily responsible for building relationships toward five, six- and seven-figure gifts for the benefit of Lehman College from a portfolio of current and potential funders. The Major Gifts and Institutional Relations Officer will strategize a customized approach for each funder, develop proposals and cultivate, solicit and steward gifts and grants.
The primary responsibilities of the Major Gifts and Institutional Relations Officer include:
- Build and maintain relationships with individuals with five, six and seven figure gift potential
- Build and maintain relationships with corporations and foundations with five, six and seven figure gift potential
- Collaborate with Deans, other faculty and senior administrators to develop proposals for new initiatives and refresh proposal content as needed
- Create strategy and correlating briefing documents to support donor and potential donor meetings (supported by Advancement Writer)
- Contribute to the creation of multi-year Major Gift Strategy for the department
- Finalize proposals and collateral materials to support major gift solicitations to both individuals and institutions
- Develop and launch affinity groups for donors, based on natural commonalities
- Plan and host campus tours, lectures and meetings to support major gift strategy
- Nurture relationships with faculty and administration in support of Advancement goals
- Support gala and other fundraising activities via existing and development relationships
- Contribute to the creation of multi-year Major Gift Strategy for the department
Other Duties
As a staff member and part of a team dedicated to securing philanthropic support for Lehman College, the Major Gifts and Institutional Relations Officer will:
- Meet or exceed fundraising goals and metrics as set by the Vice President of Institutional Advancement
- Identify and qualify new major gift prospects and create a comprehensive strategy for donor cultivation, solicitation, and retention based on the donor’s giving history and capacity, managing a portfolio size of 75-100 prospective donors and current donors
- Directly solicit major gifts and partner with senior staff and/or volunteers on solicitations by providing prospect briefings, strategic guidance, and assistance with donor communications
- Develop, plan, and participate in strategic donor engagement opportunities, such as small events for select prospects in the portfolio and larger donor stewardship events
- Develop a high-quality donor experience through regular personalized correspondence, professional proposals, and timely acknowledgements
- Track prospect activity by maintaining regular reports that accurately reflect progress toward building relationships and increasing donor support
- Independently exercise ethical and sound judgement, and maintain the highest standards of donor privacy and confidence
- Have an understanding of the philanthropic landscape in the New York City area, including the Bronx, Northern New Jersey, Westchester and Connecticut
- Maintain an annual calendar of foundation grant deadlines related to proposals and reporting
- Maintain accurate records related to grant receipts, usage and reporting requirements
- Support full-scale departmental events, including but not limited to the annual gala
- Perform related duties as assigned
Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and six years’ related experience. Continuing education including CFRE or similar certification is preferred.
A minimum of four years related experience should be in a higher education setting.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
We are seeking an exceptional individual to join our team as a Major Gifts and Institutional Relations Officer. The ideal candidate should have the following high-level knowledge, skills, and dispositions:
- Goal-oriented mindset
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to build relationships with all individuals
- Excellent organizational, budget management, problem-solving, oral and written communication skills
- Diligence and self-direction coupled with the ability to plan, execute, assess, and improve
- A positive, warm and friendly attitude, characterized by integrity, honesty, openness, flexibility, sound judgment, and adherence to high ethical principles
- Ability to work collaboratively across unit and divisional lines, and
- A leadership style rooted on respect for differences and a commitment to inclusion and equity-mindedness
This work requires the knowledge, skills, and dispositions described above such as high-level organizational, managerial, and communication skills, ability to analyze issues and solve problems, respect for differences, as well as sound and independent judgment, diligence, and self-direction. This position requires excellent budget development and highly developed writing, verbal and critical thinking skills. The Major Gifts and Institutional Relations Officer should be comfortable working in an environment that values intra- and inter-divisional collaboration which frequently require clarity, outreach and partnership.
This position is excluded from union representation.
RFCUNY Benefits
RFCUNY Employee Benefits and AccrualsAbout the Research Foundation
The Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY) is a nonprofit educational corporation founded in 1963 to provide post-award fiscal and administrative support for CUNY’s research and sponsored programs. RFCUNY’s services allow CUNY researchers, faculty, and staff to focus on their intellectual curiosity and scientific discoveries, on projects and programs that serve our local and global communities, proposing concrete solutions to society’s most pressing challenges.
RFCUNY serves as a fiscal agent and works closely with all the CUNY campus Grants Offices to perform the core functions of post-award financial management for CUNY research projects and sponsored programs. These functions include legal assessment and signing of agreements where RFCUNY is named as a fiscal agent; setting up award accounts; preparing sub-awards and assisting PIs in monitoring the work of the recipients of sub-awards; supporting project directors with hiring and managing research project and sponsored program staff; supporting the purchasing and paying for goods and services with grant and program funds; managing financial aspects of projects including accounts receivable, financial reporting, invoicing, budget monitoring, and cost compliance with uniform guidance; ensuring that sponsor financial requirements are met; monitoring compliance with applicable project and financial management rules and laws; supporting the management of independent and external audits and financial reviews; and providing data, information, management expertise, and other supports to CUNY’s research and sponsored programs.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Key Features
Institutional Advancement
Full Time
$67,000.00 - $107,000.00
May 08, 2023 (Or Until Filled)