Major Gifts Officer

Major Gifts Officer Job Description

Virginia’s community colleges have a 50-year track record of educational excellence and innovation to serve the needs of our citizens and strengthen the Commonwealth’s economy. When Virginia’s General Assembly established the Virginia Community College System in 1966, the need for a comprehensive system was well known. Over the two decades after the end of World War II, leaders in government, business, professional sectors, and academia had called for a new approach to providing educational opportunity.

A key concern was Virginia’s ability to develop a skilled and knowledgeable workforce to expand the state’s economy. Today our community colleges give every Virginian the opportunity to gain a quality education. With 23 colleges on 40 campuses located throughout the state, Virginia’s Community Colleges are committed to serving Virginia families, helping them acquire the knowledge and skills to seize the opportunities of today and tomorrow.

The Office of Institutional Advancement is responsible for generating resources and support from various constituencies to support the VCCS’s strategic plan, Accelerate Opportunity 2030, and the strategic plan for the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education. The mission of the VFCCE is to build student success and Virginia’s future by supporting its 23 community colleges. Supporting workforce development and building the talent pipeline are priorities for the VFCCE.

The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for building dynamic long-term philanthropic relationships to secure increasing support for institutional priorities. This position manages a personal portfolio of donors and serves as a key ambassador for the VFCCE, effectively representing its mission to a wide range of constituencies and stakeholders. The Major Gifts Officer will work tactically with VCCS leadership and constituent programs to successfully meet the foundation’s annual goals.

• Knowledge of current fundraising practices, especially as they pertain to complex higher education settings.

• Comfortable with donor database technology to track contacts with constituents.
• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, analytical and organizational skills.
• Able to conduct face-to-face donor meetings and engage with prospects using grace, manners, and common sense.

• Ability to be a persuasive advocate for VFCCE/VCCS priorities and present information clearly and compellingly in writing and in person.
• Ability to work with various constituencies, including donors, funders, board of directors, and staff.
• Sound judgment, tact, and ability to handle highly confidential information.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks under deadline pressures in a high-volume office.
• Demonstrated grant and proposal writing ability at appropriate levels for varied proposal development.
• Ability to initiate and build relationships with prospective corporate and foundation donors and maintain high poise and professionalism.
• Willingness and ability to travel.

Personal Attributes: Strong commitment to ethics – maintains a strong commitment to organizational protocols while ensuring compliance with ethical fundraising principles.

Strong initiative and attention to detail. Self-motivated with a desire to adapt to changing environments. Enthusiastic, creative, and enterprising.

Personal Management: Proactive in evaluating and solving problems; effectively organizes work and projects to meet objectives and deadlines; encourages teamwork and cooperation.

Functional: Demonstrates a desire to stay current on industry practices and maintain continued growth and improvement of the position’s requirements; continuous emphasis on improving service and value.

Communication: Effective communicator creating and communicating clear information; anticipates needs of others; develops effective means to convey oral and written thoughts; effectively manages conflict; uses tact when dealing with uncooperative and sensitive individuals.

Analytical: Demonstrated analytical skills with the ability to recognize opportunities, identify…