Location: Hickory, North Carolina

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Development, the Leadership Annual Giving Officer (LAGO) is a key member of the University Advancement team responsible for cultivating, soliciting, upgrading and stewarding a portfolio of gift prospects in the $1,000-$25,000 range in support of annual giving priorities, including The Fund for Lenoir-Rhyne, the New Life Fund and other current-use funds with impact across the university. This position plays a vital role in building and strengthening relationships with alumni, parents and friends of the university, securing critical financial support for Lenoir-Rhyne.

The successful candidate will execute best fundraising practices to prioritize donor acquisition, engagement and retention. The LAGO will collaborate with team members on messaging, strategy, and outreach around the Leadership Annual Giving levels and help organize small cultivation events to engage and develop LAG donors. They will also leverage the university's CRM (Raiser's Edge), its reporting functionality and portfolio management tools and analysis to effectively track personal solicitations and correspondence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Cultivation and Solicitation:
- Directly manage a portfolio of 150-200 alumni and friends by building relationships, encouraging them to stay connected, informed and involved; and soliciting annual gifts.
- Conduct face-to-face, virtual and phone meetings with prospective donors to secure gifts at the $1,000 - $25,000 level.
- Annually develop a list of goals and objectives focused primarily on visits, leadership annual gifts, dollars raised, and other strategic activities.
- Assist with strategy and implementation related to growing and increasing the membership in the President's Society and intentional portfolio/moves management
Stewardship:
- Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with donors throughout the year.
- Work with Director of Donor Engagement to provide timely and personalized donor acknowledgment and recognition.
- Respond effectively to donor inquiries and concerns.
Administrative Responsibilities:
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of donor interactions and cultivation activities in the university's Raiser's Edge CRM system.
- Prepare reports on fundraising activities and progress toward goals.
- Assist with the planning and execution of annual giving campaigns, giving days and events.
- Participate in professional development opportunities to enhance fundraising skills.
Teamwork and Collaboration:
- Collaborate effectively with colleagues across the University Advancement team, including the Director of Annual Giving, other frontline fundraisers and support staff.
- Build strong relationships with academic departments, athletic department and other campus partners.
- Represent the university positively and professionally to donors and the community.
- Other duties as required.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in higher education, non-profit management or a related field preferred.
Minimum of 3-5 years of successful experience in frontline fundraising, preferably in higher education.
Proven track record of meeting or exceeding fundraising goals.
Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diverse individuals.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and CRM software (Blackbaud CRM experience preferred).
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Commitment to the mission and values of Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Additional Skills and Qualities

Strong work ethic, initiative, and a positive attitude.
Excellent research and analytical skills.
A passion for higher education and a commitment to supporting Lenoir-Rhyne University.
Willingness to travel for donor meetings and events.
Must have valid driver's license

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Lenoir-Rhyne University

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Leadership Annual Giving Officer