Job Summary:
Reporting to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, the Senior Director of Corporate Relations/Strategic Partnerships serves as a major gift front-line fundraiser. Primary duties as a major gift officer (MGO) include establishing and managing effective relationships with Wilberforce University prospects and existing major gift donors as well as collaborating with the regional fundraising program for Wilberforce University in an effort to advance relationships.
The Senior Director will identify and qualify potential major gift prospects and design and implement successful cultivation and solicitation strategies. The Senior Director will solicit prospects and identify and motivate those alumni, faculty, volunteers, and friends who can advance the development function at Wilberforce University. The Senior Director is expected to conduct 15 – 20 prospect visits per month and manage a portfolio of 100 prospects. Strategic focus on building a deeper pipeline of new WU major gift donors in preparation for the next comprehensive campaign.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
• Develop, implement, and drive fund-raising strategies designed to maximize current
giving potential for each individual prospect in the assigned portfolio by creating
support and facilitating cooperation throughout the campus community in pursuit of
the best strategy for each donor.
• Report results and solicitation schedule of all major gifts efforts to the Assistant Dean,
produce visit calendar, generate development activity reports and system contact
reports.
• Maintain comprehensive electronic files in database and on server for engaged
Alumni and friends.
• Monitor resources and expenditures to follow AEA travel guidelines, always mindful
of the unit’s budget.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Creative with strong cultivation and special event skills.
• Experience with volunteer recruitment and management.
• Exceptional relationship building with the ability to manage and collaborate with
• internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong computer skills including database management.
• Familiarity with fundraising in the field of higher education.
• Commitment to the principles behind higher education and a strong desire to associate
• with Wilberforce University and champion its mission.
• A high level of discretion and an ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Flexible and strategic, with the ability to multitask. Create and implement plans and
follow-through with assigned tasks and projects.
• Exceptional personal initiative and the ability to drive results.
• Effective communicator, articulate and persuasive.
• Energetic, proactive with a hands-on style.
• Bright and creative with a good executive presence and personal style to represent the organization to multiple constituents.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Six years of experience in the non-profit sector (or a transferable field) with a
minimum of four years as a higher education front-line fundraiser representative
preferred.
• Experience in development for a business school or school of management desired.
• Experience soliciting and closing gifts at the five and six figure level required and
with the proven ability to manage all stages of the major gift pipeline including
identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Wilberforce University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse community.
All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire.
The University does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas for this position.
