Posted on February 27, 2013

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Major Gifts Officers

Franklin & Marshall is an academically rigorous liberal arts college named for two iconic Americans—inventor and statesman Benjamin Franklin and Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall. For more than 225 years, F&M students have learned by doing, working directly with deeply invested faculty on high-impact research and scholarship. The College enrolls 2,300 students, with an average class size of 19 students and a faculty-to-student ratio of 10:1.

F&M students seek to learn by doing, not by listening and watching. They embrace the opportunity to work side by side or in small groups with faculty members on research projects that have real-world applications. And when given the choice of being a scholar, an athlete, an artist, a leader or a volunteer, they are most apt to choose “all of the above.” F&M strives to recruit curious and hard-working students who can become intellectual leaders. F&M aims to teach students to connect ideas, write well, relate theory and practice, understand diversity, ask questions and then answer them. Within a supportive community that values individuality and developing one’s own voice, F&M students discover how to unleash their talent and exceed their own expectations. “At Franklin & Marshall College, we create the education we seek.”

The College is located in a residential neighborhood in Lancaster, PA, a vital, historic city in a county of over 500,000 residents, with easy access to Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York and Washington, D.C. Lancaster offers both a diverse, urban environment and lush, rolling farmland. Residents enjoy charming historic districts and historical landmarks, a vibrant arts and cultural scene, and dining and shopping to suit every taste.

Franklin & Marshall employs talented, hard-working faculty and staff who are committed to serving our students in a professional manner and giving their best for the institution. Faculty and staff work together to create an extraordinary learning community.

In support of that mission, and in preparation for a comprehensive fundraising campaign, F&M seeks to hire multiple Major Gifts Officers (MGOs) to join a skilled and dedicated staff and has retained Vantagen to assist with the search process.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Major Gifts Officers report to the Director of Major Gifts and are responsible for building and enhancing relationships with approximately 200 donor prospects each. The Major Gifts Officers work independently and with faculty, professional staff and volunteers and are adept at utilizing the President of the College strategically with top donor prospects. The Major Gifts Officers play a key role in organizing and leading volunteers and in securing private philanthropic gifts in support of the mission of the College.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Formulate strategies for building relationships with donor prospects and soliciting gifts to the College; work collaboratively with the Director of Major Gifts and other major gift officers to formulate and implement department strategies.
• Assist in identifying donor prospects with the financial capacity to make major capital gifts.
• Cultivate relationships with approximately 200 assigned donor prospects; travel extensively within assigned regions to meet with donor prospects.
• Solicit major capital gifts ($50,000 or more) and, where appropriate, other gifts (e.g. annual and deferred) to the College.
• Write letters and letter-proposals to donor prospects.
• Provide staff support for volunteers and their projects designed to raise major capital gifts.
• Build professional relationships within the division, across the campus, in the community, and in the profession.
• Share supervisory responsibility of a Development Assistant; provide training and coaching as necessary.
• Provide ongoing support for Development activities as necessary.
• Participate on committees and complete special projects as appropriate.
• Participate in ongoing professional development activities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

The successful Major Gifts Officer candidate will be an experienced and tested leader who possesses a combination of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably from a selective liberal arts college
• At least five years of related work experience, preferably in an educational institution, including experience identifying, cultivating and soliciting major capital gifts
• Excellent communication, presentation, interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Natural leadership, with the ability to build successful relationships, represent the College compellingly and gain support for College initiatives
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively
• A work style that is self-directed as well as collegial
• Creative problem-solving skills, especially a facility in determining the right approach and connections to leverage to successfully engage prospects

COMPENSATION

This position offers a highly competitive salary and benefits package. The College contributes a significant amount to employees’ retirement, irrespective of self-contribution, and offers substantial education assistance benefits to employees and their dependents through its tuition remission, tuition exchange, grant-in-aid and children’s scholarship programs. Healthcare coverage and leave time are generous.

Application Instructions

Individuals wishing to speak confidentially about this opportunity may contact Michelle Pagano Heck, Senior Consultant, Vantagen at michelle.heck@vantagenllc.com. Qualified individuals may apply confidentially by submitting resume, cover letter and compensation requirements as MS Word attachments to: resumes@vantagenllc.com. Please reference the following in the subject line of your email: F&M College, Major Gifts Officers, #238-MH687

If you do not receive an email confirmation of your submission within 3 business days, please contact Dawn Kopp at dawn.kopp@vantagenllc.com. Please direct all inquiries related to this position to Vantagen.

Franklin & Marshall College is committed to diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.