Job Description

The Major Gift Officer (MGO) will serve as the Regional Director of Development for the Southwest Region of the United States and will be responsible for developing a regular cadence of strategic opportunities focused on engaging existing and prospective major donors with the end goal of qualifying, soliciting, and closing major gifts. This role will serve as the primary strategist and staff person for the Texas Triangle Executive Council. The MGO must collaborate with and convene other Development & Alumni Engagement stakeholders in the region to ensure a coordinated and thoughtful approach to all activities meant to engage RPI’s leading prospects and donors. These stakeholders include but are not limited to Principal Giving, Major Giving, Alumni Relations, and School-/College-affiliated colleagues. Additionally, the Regional Director of Development carries a portfolio of approximately 75 major gift prospects who have the capacity to make gifts in the range of $100,000 - $2.49 million This position will oversee various special projects in the region as assigned by their AVP.

Who we are:

Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is the first technological research university in the United States. We bring creativity, science, and technology together to address society's greatest challenges. We cultivate exceptional problem-solvers by immersing them in a culture of rigorous inquiry, disciplined practice, and hands-on application. Our strategic plan, RPI Forward, charts a pioneering course for the next era of RPI. Explore the RPI Forward plan. ↗︎

Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, RPI is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and the IBM Quantum System One - the first university-based quantum computer in the world.

With top notch employee health and retirement benefits, Rensselaer offers its full-time employees a generous paid time off program, tuition remission, and opportunities for career growth.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• Five (5) or more years of experience in fundraising or closely related field,
  • Or a Master’s degree and 3 years of fundraising experience
• Demonstrated record of cultivation and closing major gifts
• Valid US Driver License Required

Applicants must meet stated minimum education and experience requirements.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proven ability to establish and maintain relationships with major gift prospects and to close gifts
• Ability to set priorities while also contributing to team effort in Institute Advancement
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to deal with very technical information and to translate this information into a product salable to non-technical internal and external people
• Flexibility in dealing with a wide variety of people; ability to process information quickly and accurately
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet established goals and objectives
• Ability to demonstrate an understanding of Rensselaer and the major initiatives
• Ability to multi-task, handle multiple projects and deadlines
• Ability to work in a team environment

Representative Job Duties:

• Raise new commitments from prospects capable of gifts of $100,000 - $2.49 million as identified in Goals/Objectives
• Prepare and submit proposals as specified in Goals/Objectives
• Conduct pre-planned face-to-face prospecting and cultivation visits as specified in Goals/Objectives
• Conduct major moves as specified in Goals/Objectives
• Manage and increase membership in the Regional Leadership Council and other effective, high-level volunteer structures designed to provide counsel, to identify prospects, and to assist with specific solicitations and other programmatic initiatives as necessary
• Work in collaboration with specific campus leadership as determined by the Vice President AVP of IA and with colleagues in Institute Advancement portfolio
• Maintain up-to-date prospect information in Advance by utilizing and maintaining prospect tracking system
• Coordinate and orchestrate prospect strategies with the appropriate deans and school-affiliated development officers and work in tandem to assure the highest and best use of time, budget, and personnel
• Establish long-range goals and objectives for development programs and activities in the assigned region that reflect University priorities. Prepare regional operating plan and prospect pipeline designed to facilitate achievement of these goals and objectives as a component of the University-wide major gifts plan
• Participate and present in prospect strategy sessions

Shift:

Business Hours with weekends or evenings occasionally required

Travel:

Travel is a significant component of the position (greater than 25%)

Driving:

Incidental driving possible, but not required

Starting Salary/Rate:

Expected hiring range: $112,000 - $120,000 / yr

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions:

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.

Job Posted Date:

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information:

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu)