Director of Major and Planned Gifts

Company: Massachusetts Nonprofit Network
Location: Portland
Posted on: September 15, 2023

Job Description:

The USM Foundation is in the public phase and final year of a $46M comprehensive campaign
and seeks an experienced director of major gift and planned gifts to lead a small team and
provide strategic direction for achievement of major and planned giving goals. The ideal
candidate will possess a high level of knowledge and expertise in areas of major gifts, gift
planning strategies and deferred giving vehicles; will have a depth of experience implementing
metrics, benchmarks, and other accountability measures; will be a creative relationship-builder
who will make an immediate impact in the campaign while simultaneously helping to build a
pipeline of future major donors.

The mission of the USM Foundation is to serve as a catalyst for transformation at the University
of Southern Maine. Now in our third decade of service, the Foundation is pursuing new and
innovative ways to strengthen scholarship programs, raise capital and achieve ambitious goals,
as we help to fuel transformation at the University of Southern Maine. The Foundation employs
an experienced and resourceful team dedicated to supporting the success of the University. The
Foundation is an independent, nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization governed by a Board of
Directors, which has full responsibility for the Foundation's strategic direction and advancement
efforts. In service to our mission, our culture and our values are at the center of what we do.

Our work cadence is sustained by our focus on flexibility, play and rest. In our interactions with
one another and our constituencies, we are respectful, and we are light. We don't take
ourselves too seriously. We find that an approach of "going lighter," being playful and finding
humor yields better outcomes and we have more fun in the process.

The Foundation provides a very robust benefits package, and we expect people to utilize them.
Benefits include four weeks paid vacation, thirteen paid holidays, paid parental leave, 401(K)
retirement plan match and profit sharing. Health benefits include extremely generous medical,
dental, vision and life insurance plans. We highly encourage and support ongoing professional
development.

Job Title: Director of Major and Planned Gifts
Reports To: Executive Director of Development
Location: Portland, Maine
Salary Range: $95,000 - $100,000/year, depending on experience. Portland, Maine

Summary: The Director of Major and Planned Gifts has primary responsibility for developing
and implementing strategies of a comprehensive program to ensure the identification,
cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals who provide significant philanthropic
support to the Foundation ($25,000 and above), while also implementing strategies to build and
sustain a pipeline of major gift donors for the future. Reporting to the Executive Director of
Development, the Director works closely with the President of the Foundation, the President of
the University, USM Foundation Board members, and other portfolio managers of the
Foundation. The director will play a leadership role in all comprehensive fundraising
campaigns. Duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Cultivate and solicit major and planned gifts - 60%

• Provide strategic direction and an annual operating plan for achievement of major and planned giving goals.
  Develop and implement solicitation strategies for a USM's most generous donors identified and agreed upon by the President of the Foundation and the Executive
  Director of Development. Evaluate various gift opportunities and giving vehicles and recommend strategies to present to prospects.
  Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 relationships, and apply a moves management approach to the portfolio, with a custom cultivation strategy for each donor. Conduct 10-12 face to face visits per month, including 2-3 solicitation visits per month, with the aim of raising at least $1 million each year.
  Lead and develop strategies to build and sustain a pipeline of major gift donors ($25k and above) from the President's Circle leadership annual giving donors and prospects.
  Manage and oversee the Foundation's 1878 Legacy Society including benefits, activities, recognition, and publicity for this program. Maintain associated vendor contracts, renewals, terms and conditions.
  Participate in and support comprehensive campaign volunteer leadership committees. Supervise the Major Gifts Officers - 10%
  • Supervises the major gifts officers and is responsible for helping to reach stated individual and team goals. Liaison for fundraising for the College of Science, Technology and Health - 10%
    • Interact with internal contacts - Deans, faculty, officers, leadership gift officers, and others on College needs and priorities, to formulate strategies to promote prospect engagement with the College and to identify leadership annual, major gift, planned gift and corporate/foundation prospects. Contact reports, proposal writing, mentorship, internal meetings - 10%
      • Take initiative to grow knowledge of planned giving and educates colleagues about planned giving options. Collaborate with Development Associate to generate planned gift calculations using planned giving software.
        Training and support of portfolio managers working with donors on deferred and planned gifts such as trusts, life insurance, wills and bequests.
        Participate in leadership gift meetings with Foundation and/or campaign leadership. Education/Experience:
        Bachelor's degree required, CFRE certification preferred. Ten years of Advancement experience, including significant experience in major and planned gift cultivation and solicitation. A valid U.S. driver's license and the ability to travel on a regular basis are required.
        
        Knowledge, Skills, and Other Abilities:
        • Demonstrated ability in personally and consistently closing six-figure or larger philanthropic gifts from donors.
          Ability to lead, work collaboratively with a team, and work independently.
          Utilizes best practices and a donor-centric approach in managing a donor portfolio.
          Requires a person with discretion, excellent judgement in dealing with high net worth individuals, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate the priorities of the University to alumni, parents, and friends in an effective and persuasive manner.
          Familiarity with financial planning, tax and charitable gift laws and planned giving vehicles and methods.
          Organizational skills, particularly planning, managing deadlines, and evaluating progress are required.
          General knowledge of university governance and academic administrative and financial policies and priorities. Experience in working with a non-profit board of directors strongly preferred.
          Self-motivated and a team player, able to represent the University at the highest levels with tact, enthusiasm, and poise
          Contribute to a culture of collaboration, trust, transparency, inclusion, service and efficiency.
          Knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suites, database software, and contact management systems.
          Ability to work effectively with donors, alumni and staff and to staff events which may occur evenings/weekends
          University of Southern Maine Foundation employees must provide proof of Covid-19 vaccinations.
          
          Employment decisions will be made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy or pregnancy-related medical conditions), sexual orientation (including gender identity or expression), national origin or ancestry, genetics, age, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. -
          
          The successful candidate must be fully vaccinated upon commencing employment, subject to legally required exemptions, and follow office safety protocols. The office is currently operating in hybrid mode.
          
          To apply please submit a cover letter, resume and references to -usm.foundationjobs@maine.edu. -Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a successful candidate is hired.

Keywords: Massachusetts Nonprofit Network, Portland , Director of Major and Planned Gifts, Executive , Portland, Maine