Leadership Annual Giving Officer-College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Leadership Annual Giving Officer-College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Leadership Annual Giving Officer-College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Support and participate in fundraising efforts, strategies, and initiatives for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). Manage a portfolio of leadership annual gift prospects of approximately 100‑150 alumni and friends. Identify and qualify prospects. Cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership annual gift donors to meet established fundraising goals within the allocated expense budget. This position reports to the Senior Director, Donor Experience and Individual Giving.

(Essential functions are the primary duties/major job responsibilities that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The essential functions are listed in order of importance.)

Manage a portfolio of leadership annual gift prospects of approximately 100‑150 alumni and friends. Identify and qualify prospects. Conduct one‑on‑one solicitations to strengthen constituent relations and increase donor giving at the $1,000 or higher level. Responsible for achieving ambitious annual fundraising goal and assisting in meeting unit goals. Performance and productivity will be measured on the following core metrics as determined annually:

Dollars raised for cash and in‑kind gifts

Number of gifts solicited between $1,000‑$24,999

Number of gifts closed from $1,000‑$24,999

Number of personal, strategic meetings (visits) with prospects and donors

Number of significant and personal contacts made via phone and email with prospects and donors

Develop fundraising plans, strategies and activities to engage alumni and build a major donor pipeline. Establish realistic and achievable timelines and remain current with fundraising trends and techniques.

Develop strategies to engage prospects and donors and increase attendance at, and participation in, alumni & donor events and programs. Manage and oversee follow‑up activities to acquire and upgrade donors and encourage gifts at the $1,000 level or higher.

Serve as liaison to the Annual and Digital Campaigns team on behalf of CLAS. Collaborate and strategize with Annual and Digital Campaigns team on methodologies to increase the alumni, staff, student, and friend donor base. Play active role in executing plans for the annual Giving Day for CLAS. Assist with the editing of annual giving solicitation letters, emails, and webpages. 10%

Collaborate with the Donor Experience team to implement strategies to ensure appropriate stewardship of prospects and donors, including custom strategies for loyal donors. Assist with the coordination and distribution of endowment impact reports and annual scholarship reports. Assist recipients with questions.

Draft and negotiate gift and pledge documentation ranging from simple to moderate complexity. Regularly route donor contributions and required paperwork to central development for timely processing. Engage CLAS colleagues as appropriate to support prospect strategies.

Perform other related duties and complete special projects as assigned.

Education:

Bachelor's degree

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in marketing, public relations, business administration, or related field.

Reasonable knowledge and understanding of university policies and procedures.

Experience:

Experienced (minimum 2 years of job‑related experience)

Minimum 3 years of experience working as a fundraising professional in direct individual solicitations.

Direct experience preparing proposals and conducting gift solicitations preferred. Higher…