Development Officer

Development OfficerAt MGA, students, staff and faculty soar together to reach academic excellence and thrive in our MGA careers. We are home to 5 campuses, 70+ academic courses, and over 40,000 graduates. The MGA Foundation plays a vital role in advancing our dynamic university to ever greater heights. We seek a Development Officer to work with our Advancement team to develop and implement fundraising strategies for identifying and securing significant gifts. The successful candidate will help oversee the strategy, planning and execution of our major gifts program. They will identify new opportunities through proactive prospecting and ongoing cultivation.Major/Leadership Gift Fundraising (75%) - Actively manage a focused portfolio of major gift prospects and donors by guiding their cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship while at the same time setting goals to expand the base of major gift prospects. Advance individual relationships that result in philanthropic contributions for the university Organize in-person visits between prospects and key university personnel for purposes of cultivating relationships and making solicitations. Manage and solicit a portfolio of 125-150 major gift prospective and current donors, conducting at least 150 personal visits annually. Devise personalized engagement plans for each assigned prospect that include strategies of engagement and solicitations. Give presentations to communicate the fundraising priorities and needs for Middle Georgia State University Travel to visit with donors within the state of Georgia and bordering states. Operations (20%) - Attend and participate in University Advancement meetings. Gather, record, and properly store information about prospects and donors utilizing the Raiser's Edge database to manage prospective donor strategies and moves, documenting all prospect interactions in a complete and timely fashion. Other duties as may be assigned by the Executive Director of Development Special Events (5%) - Assist with foundation and alumni events and projects.Educational Requirements Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience Required Experience Minimum of 3-5 years (direct or equivalent) experience managing high level donor relationships with demonstrated success in closing gifts of $10,000 and above.Knowledgeable of donor database, contact management and tracking systems, preferably Raisers Edge Knowledge of development and fundraising program principles and best practices. Knowledge of marketing principles and methods. Knowledge of the principles and practices involved in the solicitation and securing of major gifts. Excellent organizational and project management skills and ability to prioritize workload in a timely manner to complete assignments with many deadlines and competing requirements. Skill in collaborating with multiple constituents. Skill in the operation of computers and job related software programs. Skill in decision-making and problem solving. Skill in interpersonal relations and in dealing with the public. Skill in oral and written communication. Ability to manage an active portfolio of 125-150 major gift prospects in all aspects of the development cycle Ability to develop, maintain and grow interpersonal relationships including with university alumni, donors, friends, corporate partners, administrators, faculty, and staff Ability to communicate well, and build rapport quickly with donors, faculty, and colleagues. Willingness to be hands-on in role that is demanding and requires a high level of energy and professionalism.The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards.Middle Georgia State University is committed to four core values in what we do and represent: CORE VALUES: Stewardship - Engagement - Adaptability - LearningMiddle Georgia State University is committed to ensuring a safe learning environment that supports the dignity of all members of the University community. Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (USG) and Middle Georgia State University. Pursuant to Board of Regents Policy Section 6.6, federal and state laws and regulations, and our vision, mission, and values, Middle Georgia State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status ("protected status"). No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any USG program or activity because of the individual's protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual's protected status, except that preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.This is a full-time, 12-month, exempt (salaried) staff position and includes a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits include: Health insurance Dental Vision Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Health Savings Account (HSA) Life Insurance Sick Leave Vacation Leave Parental Leave Retirement Employee discounts Tuition reimbursementEmployment offer is contingent upon completing a background investigation, including a criminal background check demonstrating your employment eligibility with MGA, as determined by MGA in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application material, and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check.