BASIC FUNCTION

The Associate Director of Major Gifts plays a vital role in advancing the mission and strategic priorities of Vermont State University (VTSU) and strengthening the culture of philanthropy among alumni, parents, and other VTSU constituencies.

This full-time exempt position will focus on: prospect conversion; donor renewal; upgrading donors; and strategic stewardship, including planned gifts, at the leadership ($5k+/year) and major gifts ($25k+ multi-year pledges) levels.

Must possess excellent communication skills, including the ability to write persuasively and quickly develop strong relationships with internal and external constituencies to promote a positive and effective collaboration to ensure success. 

This position requires a bias for action and making the ask, a high level of organization, professionalism, and mastery of the objectives annual unrestricted/current-use fundraising. 

The incumbent must also be able to advocate and cultivate enthusiasm for the vision and future of the newly unified Vermont State University system to the alumni and other constituencies of VTSU’s legacy institutions: Castleton University, Lyndon University, Johnson University, and Vermont Technical College.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a frontline fundraiser with the primary responsibility of identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding leadership ($5K+/year) donors and major gifts donors ($25K+ multi-year) for the university’s philanthropic priorities, including planned gifts.
• Independently qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of 175 prospects on an annual basis.
• Complete a minimum of 125 personal (virtual and in-person combined) meetings with prospective donors and secure leadership level gifts towards unrestricted current-use and VTSU priorities annually.
• Help new and repeat donors articulate their philanthropic interests and goals and connect them to the institution’s needs to maximize their support of VTSU.
• Identify and solicit prospects for special campaign giving initiatives as they may arise.
• Adhere to all prospect management processes and policies around contact reports, proposals, etc… to ensure cross departmental transparency and effectiveness.
• Invest significant time in developing subject-matter expertise on VTSU, including multiple on-site visits to all 5 campuses each year. Utilize knowledge of prospects’ interests in order to develop and execute robust, multi-step prospect strategies.
• Strategically leverage academic leadership, faculty, and other members of the VTSU community leading to successful solicitation and closure of six and seven-figure gifts.
• Gather, compile, and report feedback from prospects and donors about the issues concerning VTSU stakeholders to the Director of Institutional Advancement and to the Communications Team as well as contribute stories that celebrate leadership and major giving for university publications.
• Identify, recruit and manage volunteers as necessary to achieving fundraising goals.
• Keep abreast of current developments in the field of higher education and philanthropy.
• Attend professional meetings and conferences relevant to the job.
• Preform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree required, seven years of development experience, and proven success soliciting gifts of $5,000 and more. Or experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired, such as sales.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience with Raiser’s Edge in particular.

Experience in higher education.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Knowledge:

• Experience working with donors and other constituencies in a philanthropic context (and within an educational institution preferred).
• Experience working within comprehensive fundraising campaigns is a plus.
• Strong interest in public education and belief in higher education to change lives.
• Strong interest in the State of Vermont; the unique national and global impact of higher education in Vermont; and the role of higher education in enhancing the future of Vermont and the lives of Vermonters.

Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to formulate, follow, and execute a metrics-based portfolio management strategy.
• Excellent ability to use/manipulate spreadsheets and navigate a CRM independently (and Raiser’s Edge in particular)
• Consummate, positive team player comfortable working with wide range of people.
• Proven record of accountability and follow-through with the ability to meet deadlines.

Abilities:

• Demonstrates a personal commitment to excellence.
• Must have the ability to admit mistakes and forgive faults in others. 
• Must have a natural affinity for collaboration, leading through influence, and a high level of emotional intelligence.
• Must be able to advocate to management for the needs and concerns of donors and prospects within the context of institutional priorities.
• Creative thinking and demonstrated ability to affect growth in desired results.
• Demonstrated ability to operate in and support a diverse community and leverage divergent perspectives and cultures as part of a high performing and inclusive environment.
• Must be drawn to a challenge and exhibit the patience necessary to advance solutions in a complex and collaborative organization.

Location: This is a remote-first role based in Vermont. VTSU Advancement operates in a remote-first work environment that serves 5 campus locations in Castleton, Johnson, Lyndon, Randolph, and Williston as well as virtual learning programs. The Associate Director of Major Gifts must be prepared to travel within Vermont, the US, or abroad as needed in order to work with prospects/donors and participate in Advancement activities.

Travel expectations of roughly 35% of working days spent on the road in specified territory/region, variable according to the officer’s effectiveness via online versus in-person contact with constituents.

Benefits Package 

• Medical Insurance 

• Dental Insurance  

• Vision Insurance  

• Retirement Plan 

• Tuition Waiver to Vermont State Colleges 

• Tuition Waiver to UVM* for dependent children 

• Employee Assistance Program  

• Long Term Disability  

• 14 Paid Holidays 

• Medical, Personal, and Vacation Leave     

*Certain Conditions Apply