The Organization
Furman University is a selective private liberal arts and sciences college committed to helping students develop intellectually, personally, and interpersonally and providing the practical skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly-changing world. Furman professors are exceptional teacher-scholars who mentor undergraduate students within a campus community that values and encourages diverse ideas and perspectives. Our recently-launched strategic vision, The Furman Advantage, promises students an individualized four-year pathway facilitated by team of mentors and infused with a rich and varied set of high impact experiences outside the classroom that include undergraduate research, study away, internships, community-focused learning, and opportunities to engage across differences.
Furman is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty and staff. The University aspires to create a community of people representing a multiplicity of identities including gender, race, religion, spiritual belief, sexual orientation, geographic origin, socioeconomic background, ideology, world view, and varied abilities. Domestic partners of employees are eligible for comprehensive benefits.
The Furman student experience is supported by a rich network of centers and institutes that includes The Riley Institute, The David E. Shi Center for Sustainability, The Institute for the Advancement of Community Health, The Rinker Center for Study Away and International Education, The Cothran Center for Vocational Reflection, The Shucker Center for Leadership Development, The Malone Center for Career Engagement, and our newest addition, The Center for Inclusive Communities.
Furman is located in Greenville, South Carolina, a racially and culturally diverse community that is one of the fastest growing cities in the Southeast. It has been ranked among “America’s Ten Best” by Forbes Magazine. Greenville has a thriving downtown, excellent private and public schools and a vibrant international community. A 20-mile bike and running trail connects the university to Greenville and Travelers Rest, which was named “one of America’s coolest small towns.” It is within a short driving distance of Asheville, Charlotte and Atlanta. The Blue Ridge Mountains and Atlantic Beaches are within easy reach. In keeping with our commitment to equity and inclusion, domestic partners of employees are eligible for comprehensive benefits and faculty/staff affinity groups exist to offer support for faculty/staff that identify as LGBTQIA+ and/or Black/African-American.
Position Overview
Job Description Summary:
The Leadership Giving Officer is a member of an ambitious Development team responsible for cultivating, soliciting and stewarding a portfolio of 250-300 households. The objective is to secure annual leadership level commitments ($2,500-$99,999), primarily through personal meetings. The Leadership Giving Officer’s portfolio covers a geographic territory (average 2-3 nights away per month).
Responsibilities:
Portfolio Management
· Develop and implement a moves management strategy (assessment, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship) for individuals with capacity to give annually at leadership level ($2,500-$99,999), with an emphasis on solicitation to secure $300,000 annually.
· Manage a portfolio of approximately 250-300 Leadership Giving level prospects and/or donors through 12-15 donor meetings per month in assigned geographic territory.
· Meet agreed upon fundraising metrics as defined by supervisor, including donor meetings and proposals.
· Collaborate with colleagues within Development and across campus to ensure that fundraising strategies align with University priorities and to develop an integrated approach for cultivating and stewarding prospects.
· Complete phone solicitations at the end of the calendar year and the fiscal year to those not personally reached or as reminder calls for donors.
· Be an ambassador of the University.
· Act professionally while strengthening relationships between the University and its supporters.
· Participate in and attend Furman events as required. These include but are not limited to Homecoming, Parent & Family Weekend and Bell Tower Ball.
Performance Management
· Utilize dashboard tools in The Raisers Edge to efficiently plan and conduct portfolio work.
· Complete performance review process with supervisor to understand expectations, progress, and how these affect departmental and University goals.
Budget Management
· Utilize online reporting to manage budget, enter receipts and track expenses.
· Use travel resources efficiently to maximize donor meetings with top prospects.
Professional Development
· Review fundraising trade journals, books, and online groups to improve Leadership Giving and develop enhanced solicitation strategies.
· Forge relationships with colleagues at other institutions and organizations in an effort to learn best practices in the industry.
· Participate in at least one professional development program each year, if appropriate, in an effort to improve job skills and acquire broader knowledge of fundraising techniques.
Other Duties
Complete other duties as assigned. The intent of this job classification description is to provide a representative summary of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions in this classification and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically present in this description.
Reports To: Director of Leadership Giving
Minimum Qualifications:
· Bachelor’s Degree and 1 or more years of related experience in sales or fundraising
· Strong interpersonal skills for interaction with donors, prospects, students, alumni, parents and friends of all ages
· Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in written form
· Self-confidence, strong organizational skills, and effective time management skills
· Ability to represent the University and to work effectively in a team environment with a mix of alumni and colleagues
Preferred Qualifications:
· Three years of fundraising, volunteer management or sales
· Working knowledge of Excel and The Raisers Edge
· Working knowledge of the principles and practices of individual giving
· Experience and demonstrated success in soliciting gifts in the $1,000+ range
· Prior experience in a University setting
Work Conditions:
Standard Hours (37.5).
Valid driver’s license and clean driving record required.
Requires some travel to U.S. cities, primarily in the Southeast regionally but can include occasional trips to other U.S. cities. Required time away will average 2-3 nights away per month. Plane travel will be necessary twice a year on average.
Work on nights and weekends is required based on travel and event schedule averaging 3 evenings or early mornings per month and one weekend per month. Specific weekends include Homecoming, Parent and Family Weekend, and Bell Tower Ball.
How To Apply
Please submit cover letter and resume at https://furman.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Furman_Careers/job/Main-Campus/Leadership-Giving-Officer_R001082