Development Officer, Sr
Meharry Medical College

The Senior Development Officer maintains a diverse portfolio of major donor prospects working to effectively qualify, cultivate and solicit them for financial support of the College. The Senior Development Officer develops and presents appropriate gift proposals to prospects, donors and their advisors as appropriate.

Daily Operations

• Provides leadership in the development and implementation of a comprehensive major gift program.
• Plans and executes prospect identification, qualification/evaluation, cultivation and solicitation of current gifts of $25,000 and above.
• Maintains an individual portfolio of 100 to 150 major gift prospects.
• Conducts an average of 20 face-to-face/virtual meetings monthly with existing and potential donors for the purpose of cultivating, soliciting, and closing major gifts.
• Following an agreed upon period of orientation and building of donor relationships, the senior development officer is expected to achieve specific annual donor contact targets and dollar goals in accordance with an annual gift revenue plan.
• Works closely with deans, program directors and other campus leaders to develop marketable proposals for significant gift opportunities among individual alumni and friends.
• Conducts on-going communication and stewardship with major gift donors.
• Develops major gift leads through self-directed and requested prospect research, and through an informed and supportive network of donors and other contacts.
• Conveys the College's goals, objectives and aspirations through an effective program of continuing oral and written communication.
• Assists the Sr. Director of Principal Gifts & Estate Planning in planning and implementing short-term and long-range strategies and tactics for increasing major Principal & Estate Planning gifts.
• Assist the Sr. Director of Principal & Estate Planning.
• Consistently update donors and prospective donors' records in the Raisers Edge fundraising management system.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills

• Proficiency in analyzing donors and prospects to help make rational judgments in ranking their order of priority for cultivation and solicitation purposes.
• Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and written, the College's vision, mission, goals and plans in a persuasive manner that will help to engender financial support for the college.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse range of individuals.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Ability to conceptualize and design potential gift opportunities for donors' consideration consistent with the College's fundraising priorities.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment to achieve the College's institutional goals and objectives
• Working knowledge of planned giving options
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office software, and experience with Raiser's Edge gift management software preferred.

Required Education and Experience
• A minimum of 7 to 10 years of successful and verifiable fundraising experience.
• Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree preferred.