Major Gift Officer

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University

Department:

WAMU Development

Time Type:
Full time

Job Type:
Regular

FLSA Status:
Exempt

Work Modality:

Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)

Union:

Excluded

Job Description:

Summary:

WAMU 88.5 is a public media station owned and operated by American University. WAMU is the source for local, regional and NPR news and original programs in Washington DC. Since 1961, WAMU has been amplifying voices and sharing stories from the many neighborhoods and communities in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) position at WAMU 88.5 manages a portfolio of approximately 150 assigned and qualified donors, cultivating relationships, soliciting high-level gifts and assuring that donors are retained and upgraded in their giving and involvement and promotes inclusion of WAMU in donor's estate plans. The MGO creates stewardship plans and sets individual goals for each donor. Working collaboratively across the organization, the individual secures project and program information and creates compelling offers, proposals and stewardship reports to donors. The MGO is responsible for meeting the financial goals set for the position and creating monthly and other timely reports to track portfolio performance and activity. The role also provides input and oversight of the WAMU Leadership Circle along with other donor cultivation and stewardship activities and events.

The Major Gifts Officer reports to the Director of Development. This position collaborates with WAMU Development Operations and UA Office of Planned Giving. The position must handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.

Essential Functions:

• Qualifies a caseload of 150 donors from a larger group of donors to the organization. Creates individual goals for each person on the caseload based on donor's history of giving and the knowledge of that donor's potential, and creates a plan for each donor that will serve as a foundational communication and marketing plan for each prospective donor. Executes plans to meet individual and departmental goals, ensuring that donors on the caseload are retained and upgraded, including, but not limited to, face to face visits. Promotes planned giving options.
• Manages prospect/donor communication and drafts specific proposals for his/her assigned prospects. Works with content and marketing staff to secure appropriate information, including budgets, and create offers, proposals and asks that will be used with persons on the caseload to secure gifts and report back to donors on how their donations were used. Conducts basic prospect research for portfolio.
• Creates monthly reports as required by management that accurately reflects caseload activity and performance.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Championing Customer Needs.
• Evaluating and Implementing Ideas.
• Developing Plans.
• Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions.
• Building and Supporting Teams.

• Full-Time.
• 35 hours per week.

• $90,000 - $110,000 annually.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• 3 - 5 years of relevant experience.

• 4 - 6 years of relevant experience.
• Familiarity with Revolution Online (ROI) database software preferred; Team Approach software a plus.
• Experience in public broadcasting a plus.

• Local and regional travel in the WAMU listening area.

• 3+ years of successful individual major giving experience.
• Extensive knowledge of the Washington, DC area philanthropic community.
• Successful track record in moving donors up the giving continuum.
• Competency in prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation and donor relations.
• Highly organized with the ability to multi-task, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills - both verbal and written.
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 as well as industry-standard research and analytics processes.

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.
• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
• American University is an E-Verify employer.