Job Description

As Assumption University embarks on the first year of its ten-year strategic plan, 'Thrive,' the institution is seeking a dynamic and experienced advancement leader. This individual should possess superb interpersonal, strategic, and operational skills to fill the key position of Major and Planned Giving Officer.

In support of the mission of the University, the Major and Planned Giving Officer (MPGO) works to build and enhance relationships with alumni, parents, and friends capable of making a gift of $50,000 or more. The focus of the position is creating and implementing a comprehensive plan for the 1904 Society, which recognizes individuals who have included the University’s in their estate plans, with the goal of expanding the program. The MPGO is responsible for qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting prospects and stewarding donors. She/he will work with prospective donors to determine their philanthropic interests and how those interests align with the strategic needs of the University.

The successful candidate will have a positive, can-do attitude and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. She/he needs to be able to juggle a wide-variety of tasks and projects simultaneously, make decisions independently, as appropriate, and always position Advancement, Athletics and Assumption in the best way possible. She/he should have a deep understanding of philanthropy and the impact that it can make on higher education, and enjoy working with a wide variety of personalities and work styles.

BASIC PURPOSE:

• Manage portfolio of 125 major/planned gift prospects.

• Conduct a minimum of 100 face-to-face meetings annually to qualify, engage, solicit or steward donors. This includes meetings with individuals both on and off campus, traveling as appropriate. Utilize and engage campus community members (Deans, VP’s, Department Chairs, faculty, coaches, etc.) in the advancement process as needed.  

• Create and implement a comprehensive plan for the 1904 Society, which recognizes individuals who have included the University’s in their estate plans, with the goal of expanding the program.

• Serve as the planned giving advisor for the Advancement team with a focus on increasing their understanding of how and when planned giving fits within the overall fundraising strategy, and how to introduce/address planned giving vehicles into donor conversations or proposals.
• In partnership with the Director of Stewardship and Communications, develop and manage the recognition program for the 1904 Society, including ensuring regular contact with planned gift donors and designing and implementing recognition efforts that maintain ongoing relationships.
• Serve as point person for Stelter, Assumption’s planned giving marketing partner.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of all planned giving initiatives and activities across the University on an annual basis, and initiate changes as needed.
• In partnership with the Assistant Vice President for Alumni and Donor Engagement, provide staff leadership for the 50th Reunion class giving initiative. Focus is establishing fundraising goals and strategizing with the class volunteer group to actively solicit and steward class members.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be willing to contribute actively to the mission of the University as well as show an understanding of and a respect for the Catholic and Assumptionist identity of Assumption University.
• Five to seven years’ experience in major or planned gift fundraising, preferably in higher education.
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constitencies. This includes being a good listener and thoughtful questioner.
• Willingness to maintain an aggressive travel schedule
• Ability to direct and manage volunteers, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments
• Knowledge of tax laws related to charitable giving.
• Conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare reports and other materials
• Exercise good judgement, to demonstrate and understanding of ethics related to development activities, and to use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers, and others
• Maintain confidentiality
• Adjust priorities as necessary, independently as well as in conference with supervisor
• Foster effective working relationships within a team environment, leading by example
• Apply and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

SCOPE:

• Interacts with the President’s Office, University Deans, administrators, faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, donors, and friends of the University.
• Extensive travel is required to fulfill the job of meeting with alumni, parents and friends to secure support. That travel may be local, regional or national in scope and take place over multiple days, requiring overnight stays. Duration may be longer the further from Assumption to maximize division budget.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Sitting, standing, walking, and bending are required of this position. Use of a computer keyboard and computer screen for periods of time with close vision and the ability to adjust visual focus plus manual dexterity are required.

MENTAL DEMANDS: The mental demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Examples of mental demands include reading (documents), detailed work, confidentiality, language, math, reasoning, oral communications, written communications, customer contact, multiple concurrent tasks, constant interruptions, and performing calculations when necessary.

ABOUT ASSUMPTION UNIVERSITY:

St. John Paul II wrote: “Man’s creation by God ‘in his own image’ confers upon every human person an eminent dignity; it also postulates the fundamental equality of all human beings.” Assumption University recognizes the essential contribution of a diverse community of students, staff, and faculty and condemns all forms of harassment, discrimination, and disrespect.

As such, and in compliance with the requirements of federal law and/or the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Assumption University prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy, as well as other legally protected status, in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities, except where such conditions may constitute bona fide qualifications for the programs or activities in question.