Leadership Gifts Officer

Leadership Gifts Officer

Job no: 493175
Work type: Staff Full Time - Full Year
Location: Lewiston, ME
Categories: Advancement

Title: Leadership Gifts Officer

Position Purpose:

The Leadership Gifts Officer is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding a portfolio of current and potential donors with the capacity to make gifts of $50,000, or greater, in support of college initiatives. The successful candidate will develop and implement strategic plans aimed at maximizing each individual's support of the college by working with colleagues in College Advancement, faculty, Purposeful Work, Admission and high-level volunteers.

Job Duties:

• Create opportunities to conduct face-to-face meetings for the purposes of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding an assigned portfolio of 125 current and prospective donors according to best-practice standards.
• Create detailed cultivation/solicitation plans for the top 50 donor prospects each year.
• Spend 8-10 days of each four-week period traveling both independently and with key volunteers or
  other members of the college administration to meet with current and prospective donors.
• Work with a departmental team to identify, qualify and assign new leadership gift prospects.
• Plan and organize events for high-level donors to showcase Bates and college priorities.
• Develop a thorough knowledge of Bates history, academic, extracurricular and athletic programs, and its faculty, students and administration.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of the college's priorities and initiatives of the faculty and administration.
• Participate in departmental and professional training programs to increase expertise in the profession.
• Understand and meet departmental standards, policies, and procedures with respect to all aspects of work.
• Serve as the department point person for specific projects, priorities or for campus partners.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Driver's license required.

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in advancement in a higher education setting or equivalent experience.
• Progressive achievement in fundraising, financial services, marketing/sales or educational management.
• Proven experience cultivating and closing major or deferred gift commitments.

Skills and Knowledge

• Commitment to equity and inclusion, and serving the needs of a culturally and educationally diverse community.
• High attention to detail balanced with a strategic vision for multifaceted programs.
• Self-starting strategic thinker whose hallmark qualities include being persistent, personable, team-oriented, and possessing a desire to succeed.
• Must be able to relate to a variety of people of all ages and backgrounds.
• A personal commitment to excellence and the mission of a top-tier liberal arts college, and the ability to work in a goal- oriented environment.
• Flexibility and a sense of humor are both essential.
• Excellent communication (written, verbal and presentation) skills. Ability to write concise, logical, analytical
  reports to convey complex issues. Lead group discussions.
• Ability to remain composed, friendly and demonstrate poise under stress while working in a deadline driven environment.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills; ability to synthesize complex or diverse information; and experience working with complex data sets.
• Impeccable organizational skills and ability to coordinate resources and staff within the college community.
• Strong presentation skills and ability to develop dynamic presentations.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to develop and maintain collegial relationships. Must be flexible, collaborative and have a positive attitude.
• Ability to work independently and as a team player and handle multiple priorities with minimal supervision.
• Keen attention to detail necessary for successful documentation, planning and execution.
• Proficiency in basic data management systems, business office software, and prospect moves management platform and basic computer applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Willingness and ability to learn additional applications as needed.
• Ability and willingness to travel (by car, air, train or bus) domestically and internationally as needed.
• Ability and willingness to work weekends, evenings and other non-traditional schedules.

Benefits:

Bates College offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits (health, dental, 9% retirement contribution with potential for an additional 3% match, sick leave, 24 days of vacation, 2 personal days, 13 paid holidays, dependent care subsidy, free parking, access to library and athletic facilities & more), and a supportive, collegial environment in a drug and smoke-free workplace.

Hiring Range: The hiring range for this position is $105,254 to $130,000. Placement within the range depends on experience and other factors.

Advertised: Sep 21 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:

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