Job Description

Centre welcomes and supports diversity. The College strives to create an environment where differences are celebrated, where individuals can exchange ideas and share in the richness of mutual experiences. Please view our  Statement of Community . 

Job Skills / Requirements

Centre College seeks a creative, energetic and dedicated individual who excels at building relationships to serve as a Senior Major Gift Officer. 

The successful candidate will be an accomplished individual with a track record of success as an advancement professional, preferably in a higher education institution. Key qualifications include superb skills and demonstrated success in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship at major and principal gift levels; experience developing and implementing effective fundraising and engagement strategies; excellent communication skills; proven ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment; and an ability to embrace the culture and values of Centre College. 

The Senior Major Gift Officer plays an essential role in building philanthropic partnerships with alumni, individuals and families in support of Centre College’s major gift program and individual giving efforts. Reporting to the Executive Director of Major Gifts and the Vice President of Development, the Senior Major Gift Officer is primarily responsible for meeting annual engagement, solicitation and income metrics through data-driven, relationship-based frontline fundraising work with individual donors. This work will require close collaboration with the Development team as well as institutional stakeholders.

The Senior Major Gift Officer will be expected to manage a giving pipeline and associated portfolio of alumni, parents and supporters, with a priority on those capable of making 6- and 7-figure gifts and multi-year commitments. With a mature portfolio, this position is expected to raise approximately $1 million annually through personally managed solicitations. This position will aid prospects in making their most impactful and transformational gifts to Centre College through annual, major, and planned giving vehicles.  

The successful candidate will demonstrate an appreciation of and commitment to further an inclusive culture for those of diverse backgrounds such as ability, age, class, ethnicity, faith background, gender expression, gender identity, geographic region, national origin, neurodiversity, race, and sexual orientation that comprise individual and group expressions of identity. 

Qualifications

Essential Job Functions

Frontline Fundraising

• Following best practices in donor development and moves-management, supports and leads efforts to execute short- and long- term fundraising strategies for a portfolio of 150 donors/prospects.
• Devotes majority of time to direct frontline activities to engage, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward donors and prospects; this includes conducting background research, requesting visits, in-person or virtual meetings, proposal development, donor correspondence, contact reports, and stewardship activities.
• Completes a minimum of 10-15 meaningful and substantive face-to-face contacts per month with a minimum of 125 donor visits per year.
• Submits at least 25 proposals per year with a financial goal of raising a minimum of $1,000,000 annually with increasing expectations based on performance, career progression, portfolio and individual gift pipeline maturity and capacity.
• Program and Pipeline Management
• Works with Executive Director of Development and other frontline fundraisers to develop and track unrestricted and project/priority specific individual and team giving pipelines.
• Meets regularly with other frontline Gift Officers and Development colleagues to review individual portfolio and program gift pipelines.
• Works closely with senior staff, departmental and institutional colleagues to understand top institutional priorities for philanthropic partnership.
• Collaborates and contributes to the development of related giving opportunities, collateral, cases for support, recognition opportunities, etc. so as to be a knowledgeable and persuasive advocate for an array of institutional priorities.

Departmental and Institutional Initiatives

• As part of Centre College’s integrated fundraising operation, participates regularly in strategic and operational business of the development department, including annual planning and goal-setting.
• Participates in the training and professional development critical to the success of a growing and maturing individual fundraising program.
• Staff various alumni and donor events throughout the year on- and off-campus. 

Financial Planning and Reporting

• Works with Executive Director of Development on regular revenue projections from assigned portfolio giving pipeline, including annual, mid-year and quarterly priority and program projections. 
• Ensures that all solicitation activity and strategy is accurately tracked in CRM to facilitate time reports and financial forecasts.
• Maintain and manage individual travel logistics and budget including documentation of expenses. Adhering to all budget and travel policies. 

Marginal Job Functions

• Contribute to the overall success of the department by performing all other essential duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college·   
• Five to ten years of direct .fundraising experience, specific to major gifts.
• Proven history of personally soliciting and securing gifts of six and seven figures from individuals, preferably within the higher education setting.
• Strong ability to use and adapt to a variety of software and productivity tools, including Microsoft Office, collaboration software and various CRM systems (including Raisers Edge, Millennium, Blackbaud FPM, Salesforce, or similar tools).
• Ability to travel locally and nationally to meet with donors and achieve the objectives of this position.
• Ability to work nights and weekends in order to staff college and donor cultivation events. Valid driver’s license.

Knowledge and Skills 

• Thorough understanding and command of annual giving and major gift fundraising and moves-management concepts, principles, techniques, procedures, and practices. Requiring a highly developed attention to detail, pipeline management, and organizational skills.
• Outstanding written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including effective listening, emotional intelligence and political acumen, in order to build and maintain effective working relationships internally and externally. In order to effectively discern the interests and concerns of a diverse community of donors and constituency groups. 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, discretion, and excellent judgement in handling sensitive information.
• Analytical and critical thinking skills, including skills in creative and effective decision-making, problem solving, and conflict resolution.  

Physical Requirements:

• Limited pushing, pulling, lifting.  Lifting would not exceed 15 lbs.
• Mobility on campus and ability to travel necessary.

Education Requirements (Any)

Bachelor's Degree and 5-10 years of Direct Fundraising Specific to Major Gifts.

Additional Information / Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
Retirement Plan
Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Caregiver Support Program and Employee Assistance Program
Long-Term Disability
Paid Time Off, Holidays and Sick Time
Holiday Shutdown Period
Staff Education and Development
Tuition Benefit for Dependent Children 
Gym Access
Pet Insurance
Free Library Access
Campus Bookstore Discounts
Discounted Norton Center Subscription Packages

Application Instructions

TO APPLY:

Full Job Descriptions will be listed on the Centre College Human Resources site at  Employment at Centre | Centre College

Centre College uses Interfolio as their Applicant Tracking Software to review all applications for employment.  From the Apply button on the Centre Employment Page, you will be linked to create an Interfolio Account.  You will then set up a Dossier Account following the software instructions.  For the I am Question, select Other for Staff Openings.  Agree to Terms of usage and then Create your Profile.  Once your account is set up, you will select your opportunity from your Home Page, Complete Application Questions, Upload Cover Letter, CV/Resume/ and References.  Once the application and uploads are complete you will Submit your application. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. If you need any assistance with the application process, please contact  christy.mcguire@centre.edu .

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

As a fundamental policy and in compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and all other applicable non-discrimination laws, Centre College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age, disability, veteran’s status, or genetic information in the administration of any of its education or employment policies. Centre College hires and promotes its employees and admits its students on the basis of merit, qualification, and character.

About Centre College

Centre College is a premier national liberal arts college that serves approximately 1,400 students and provides a supportive community and a flexible, personal academic path to a meaningful life and career. Founded in 1819, Centre accomplishes its goals in an atmosphere of caring and respectful relationships among faculty, student, and staff. The College has an endowment in excess of $420 million and an operating budget of more than $65 million. Centre welcomes and supports diversity. The College strives to create an environment where differences are celebrated, where individuals can exchange ideas and share in the richness of mutual experiences. Please view our Statement of Community. Located in Danville, KY, the historic, picturesque 150-acre campus is 30 miles from Lexington, in the famed Bluegrass Region of Central Kentucky. For information concerning the College, visit our web site at

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Job Tags

Holiday work, Temporary work, Immediate start, Remote job, Flexible hours, Night shift, Weekend work,

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