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Job Summary

The Major Gift Officer will serve as the Director of Development for the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences and the lead Advancement Officer in the school. The incumbent is responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive advancement program to secure philanthropic resources for the top priority projects of the Institute and the school.

As a member of the Division of Institute Advancement Constituent Relations team, the Director of Development will work cooperatively and collegially with members of the Institute’s Division of Institute Advancement to effectively build successful fundraising programs for the school.

The Director will lead efforts on behalf of and support the Dean of the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences on matters pertaining to school project fundraising. This position will carry a portfolio of approximately 125 major gift prospects who have the capacity to make gifts in the range of $100,000 to $2.49 million.

The Director of Development will report to the Associate Vice President, Advancement & Constituent Development, John Prizner, with a dotted line relationship to the Dean, School of School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, Dr. William Gibbons.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES The Director of Development for the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences will:

• Raise new commitments from prospects capable of gifts of $100,000 to $2.49 million
• Prepare/submit proposals for, and conduct, face-to-face prospecting and cultivation visits, either on-site virtually
• Coordinate and collaborate with the Dean in the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of top prospects for philanthropic support while planning, directing, and executing activities required to secure the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences’ fundraising goal
• Engage and partner with the members of the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences faculty and Leadership Council in fundraising activities for the school
• Identify potential donors for the school and coordinate their cultivation/solicitation through the Central Advancement Office, working cooperatively with members of the Institute’s Central Advancement staff to develop a comprehensive operational plan in the areas of annual giving, corporate and foundation philanthropy, planned giving, and alumni engagement
• Actively participate and present in prospect strategy sessions; and
• Be responsible for annual goals in line with those of a Major Gift Officer

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of (and commitment to) the mission of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and other major initiatives
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with major gift prospects, and to close related major gifts
• Ability to set priorities while also contributing to a team effort in Institute Advancement
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• An ability to deal with technical information and to translate this information into a product salable to non-technical internal and external constituencies
• Flexibility in dealing with a wide variety of people
• Ability to process information quickly and accurately
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet established goals and objectives
• Ability to multi-task, handle multiple projects and deadlines
• Ability to thrive in a team environment

Candidates with a relevant combination of education, related experience, and training may be considered. For this role, we'll consider a broad range of applicants. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education

Shift

Business Hours, with weekends and/or evenings occasionally required

Travel

Driving

Driving a personal vehicle for non-passenger use

Starting Salary/Rate

Expected hiring range: $112,000 - $119,000 per year

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).