Leadership Annual Gift Officer

Location: Hickory, North Carolina

The division of Institutional Advancement at Lenoir-Rhyne University has significantly grown our fundraising activity over the past five years, and we are investing in ourselves to build on this significant momentum.

The newly created Leadership Annual Gift Officer (LGO) is an active member of the annual giving team within Institutional Advancement and is responsible for raising annual support for the Fund for Lenoir-Rhyne and the New Life Fund from alumni, parents and friends, as well as increasing the University’s alumni participation rate. This key member will work closely with the major gifts team, advancement services and donor relations to ensure prospects are solicited comprehensively. This position will play an important role in growing the Fund for Lenoir-Rhyne and the New Life Fund during the comprehensive campaign. The LGO will regularly travel to build relationships with donors, prospects and volunteers.

This key position offers a unique opportunity to be part of an ambitious and transformational campaign. Reporting to the Director of Annual Giving, the Leadership Annual Gift Officer is responsible for the qualification, cultivation solicitation and stewardship of Lenoir-Rhyne University alumni, families and friends capable of making leadership annual gifts of $1,500 or more. The Leadership Gift Officer carries their own portfolio of approximately 150 rated individuals. In addition to annual fundraising goals, this position will identify new major-and principal gift prospects through superior qualification work. A highly visible representative of the University, the Leadership Annual Gift Officer deeply appreciates the liberal arts college experience and a strong personal commitment to Lenoir-Rhyne’s values with a comprehensive understanding of best practices for annual giving engagement. The Leadership Annual Gift Officer will regularly travel to build relationships with donors, prospects and volunteers.

Essential Accountabilities

• Maintain a thorough understanding of Lenoir-Rhyne University’s strategic priorities and goals.
• Conduct a minimum of 100 face-to-face meetings with alumni, families and friends of the university during the fiscal year.
• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
• Qualify individuals for potential major gift capacity and interests, noting appropriate background on prospects for moves management.
• Maintain precise records of donor contact through Lenoir-Rhyne’s donor database system and prepare timely call reports.
• Build and expand Lenoir-Rhyne University’s leadership annual prospect pool; identify strategies and opportunities to align LR and Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) alumni with university priorities.
• Form collaborative team partnerships with other development staff members and peers to maximize fundraising productivity.
• Participate in professional development training by the university, the Office of Institutional Advancement and professional associations to enhance expertise and skills.
• Qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward a prospect pool of highly rated annual fund individuals, focusing on President’s Society level gifts ($1,500 or more) to the Fund for Lenoir-Rhyne and the New Life Fund.
• Participate in the execution of events and programs supporting development activities, engaging key volunteers and effectively utilize events and other activities to move solicitations forward.

Qualifications

• Willingness to travel and to work hours outside the normal working day (i.e., nights and weekends)
• Extensive teamwork skills and experience collaborating in diverse communities to leverage activities, initiatives and programs for multiple purposes.
• Be proficient in navigating and using Microsoft Office, Outlook, Word, Excel, RE/NXT.
• Talent to manage multiple projects and priorities while working within deadlines to achieve ambitious goals.
• Professional conduct and appropriate handling of confidential information are required.
• Appreciation of Lenoir-Rhyne’s mission and the ability to communicate it effectively.
• Three (3) or more years of fundraising or related experience; demonstrated success in making direct solicitations, preferred.
• Have strong organizational skills and be able to work independently.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Organizational and time management skills are essential, as is the ability to work effectively both as part of a team and independently.
• Strong listening, oral and written communication skills required.

Education And Experience Requirement

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Microsoft 365, and Excel).
• Occasional night and weekend work is required.
• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience
• Experience working with volunteer donors.
• Experience in direct and varied areas of development or alumni relations, preferably in a higher education non-profit setting.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Fully vaccinated and boosted.
• Ability to travel to on and off-campus events.

Work Schedule

• Standard office hours Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
• Occasional evening and weekend work is required as job duties demand.

Behavioral Expectations

• Adhere to all university policies, procedures, standards and values, and comply with all federal, state and local laws.
• Treat other individuals with dignity, respect and kindness.
• Maintain and contribute to a professional, respectful, courteous, diverse, equitable and inclusive environment.
• Maintain a healthy and safe environment.
• Maintain high integrity, confidentiality and ethical standards.

Position type: Staff

Reports to: Director of Annual Giving

Department: Office of Institutional Advancement

FLSA Classification: Exempt, Salaried

Position requirements in the role description outlined above indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or abilities deemed necessary to perform the job competently. Role descriptions are an overview of the duties, responsibilities and requirements of the position and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list for the position. Employees may be required to perform other job-related assignments as requested and acquire new skills and responsibilities. Lenoir-Rhyne University reserves the right to modify, add, remove or waive the responsibilities, duties and skills required of the position.

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