About the Department:

The University Advancement division is a comprehensive development and alumni relations enterprise with a staff complement of approximately 135 FTE. Functional units within Advancement include development/fundraising, alumni relations, stewardship and donor relations, advancement communications, special events, gift processing, research, prospect management, gift planning, corporate and foundation relations, information systems and management, and infrastructure services. Advancement's mission is to build strong, lifelong relationships with George Mason University's constituents, match donors' interests with the university's needs and priorities, and secure the financial resources necessary for Mason to achieve excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship.

The College of Visual and Performing Arts (known as Mason Arts) facilitates a shared pursuit of creative and academic discovery, inspiring a broad population of learners and patrons toward lifelong engagement in the arts. The George Mason University Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations is charged with generating private philanthropic support for the University as well as engendering strong alumni relationships through creative programming and compelling communications.

About the Position:

The Associate Director of Development, Major Gift Officer works closely with the College of Visual and Performing Arts Advancement and Hylton's Advancement team and plays a key role in supporting and achieving the annual and strategic philanthropic goals of the College. This position coordinates with the Dean's Office, central Advancement Office, and external constituents to help achieve the fundraising goals and priorities of the College and University Campaign. Reporting to the Sr. Director of Development, this position is responsible for identifying and implementing strategies for success in securing significant philanthropic support for CVPA’s priorities. This position is responsible for cultivating meaningful relationships with potential and current Major Gift ($25,000+) level donors to CVPA and the University. The ADOD Major Gift Officer manages a portfolio of donors and prospective donors, and is responsible for facilitating all phases of the gift cycle, including initiating contact, cultivating and moving potential donors to solicitation and closure, creating solicitations, writing proposals, and stewarding donors. The role works collaboratively with key volunteers, college leadership and faculty, Advancement staff and other college representatives to cultivate and solicit donors for the College.

Responsibilities:

Maintains Personal Portfolio and Supports Comprehensive Fundraising Campaign

• Identifies and cultivates major gift prospects including developing ways to find new prospects and following up on inquiries regarding significant gifts to the University;
• Solicits assigned donor portfolio through face-to-face visits, including preparation of personalized materials;
• Identifies, develops, and delivers engagement opportunities to donors to ensure the maximization of their financial and non-financial support;
• Is accountable for meeting or exceeding established fundraising goals and metrics, as determined and set by Central Advancement;
• Solicits and secures 6 and 7 figure major gifts from assigned donors;
• Works with prospects to educate them on university priorities and soliciting and closing outright and planned gifts;
• Manages effectively 90-100 MAJOR or PRINCIPAL prospects through personal visits, correspondence, electronic and telephone communication;
• Meets or exceeds metrics related to portfolio, visits, asks, and documentation, as set by Central Advancement;
• Is accountable for cultivating relationships of individual and organizational fundraising with focus on retention, recapture, and growth;
• Researches, develops, and writes funding proposals, appeal letters, and reports as required;
• Builds trusting relationships with advancement colleagues as well as deans, directors, prospects, donors and volunteers;
• Becomes immersed in the key strategies and initiatives of George Mason University;
• Develops strategies and implementation of major and principal gifts for the College, in concert with central Advancement and Alumni Relations;
• Strategizes about which major gifts would have the greatest value to and impact on the School and prioritizes said gifts. Works with donors to try to interest them in gifts that have the greatest value to and impact on the College. Understands that certain gifts will transform the school more than others, and takes responsibility for pursuing and capturing more valuable gifts;
• Travels as necessary for donor outreach and cultivation; and
• Conducts discovery visits with prospective donors as identified by Central Advancement Research and will also hand-off or disqualify individuals from their portfolio based on an unwillingness to connect, lack of affinity, or philanthropic interest in another aspect of Mason. 

Coordination with Central Advancement and Schools/Colleges/Units Coordinates on College and University-wide solicitations with colleagues in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, other Mason Colleges/Units, and Central Advancement and Alumni Relations

• Coordinates fundraising with other departments and utilizes services as appropriate;
• Ensures consistent and adequate communication between School/Unit and Central Advancement;
• Works closely with Central Advancement services including, but not limited to, Planned Giving, Annual Giving, Parents and Family Philanthropy, University Priorities, Alumni Relations, Communications, Systems, Operations, Donor Relations, Gifts and Records, etc; and
• Coordinates fundraising with other departments and utilizes services as appropriate.

Additional special projects, as appropriate

• Other related duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Arts Management or other related field or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill and abilities have been achieved;
• Demonstrated successful professional advancement and/or fundraising-related experience, preferably in higher education;
• Demonstrated record of prior fundraising experience in successfully cultivating and securing major gifts of $25,000 or more (typically 5+ years);
• Consistent record of building solid relationships with prospects and donors;
• Understand basic principles and techniques of planned giving and work closely with planned giving colleagues;
• Understand business processes of advancement operations including prospect management, donor relations, and gift processing;
• Demonstrated aptitude at representing an organization in a professional and highly effective manner;
• High level of creativity, initiative, and motivation;
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, listening, and written communication skills;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint);
• Familiarity with CRM fundraising software;
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities;
• Ability to work well with diverse groups of constituents and colleagues;
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality with respect to prospects and donors;
• Ability to manage a mixed portfolio of approximately 125 individual, corporate, and prospective donors involving travel and considerable face-to-face meetings;
• Ability to travel as needed; and
• Evenings and weekends may be required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Visual arts experience;
• Experience working with colleagues from diverse backgrounds; and
• Higher Education Administration.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Associate Director of Development, Major Gift Officer at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review. 

Posting Open Date: November 25, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  December 9, 2024

Open Until Filled:  Yes