The Director of Major Gift Development develops, implements and evaluates a comprehensive development program for the College that includes major gifts, planned gifts, governmental and community relations and grant development by cultivating relationships with a wide range of leaders and stakeholders including local and state elected officials, governmental organizations, corporate and private foundations, individual donors and business and industry.

The Director of Major Gift Development works collaboratively and strategically with the president of the College to develop influential relationships with leaders across a broad range of stakeholder groups, cultivating support from advocates, donors, and business and governmental leaders, and offers prospect strategy and counsel to the president and the executive director of the Foundation.  The Director of Major Gift Development serves as the Community and Government Relations Liaison for the College at large, developing and executing the College’s Legislative Communications Plan to place the institution at the greatest strategic advantage. 

The  Director of Major Gift Development manages all aspects of major gift development for the College, including individual and corporate donor identification, qualification and cultivation; case statement and proposal preparation; solicitation of gifts; development and implementation of a program of planned giving,; grant proposal drafting, editing, and submission; grant compliance reporting (in partnership with the Director of Grants), stewardship of major, planned gift, and grantor donor relationships (in partnership with the Director of Community Outreach & Donor Engagement) and community and government relations advising to the president of the College.

Essential Functions:

40%​ Major Gift Development:  Collaborate with College leadership across five campuses and partner with corporate and community stakeholders across the region and the state to execute strategies to secure major gift funding to support the College.  Collaborate with academic deans and faculty to promote departmental objectives, raise awareness, and ultimately develop department-specific stakeholder and donor relationships.  Identify and qualify funding opportunities that advance the College and the Foundation through prospect identification, research, and cultivation.  Lead and coordinate all aspects of a major gifts campaign, including collaboration with Marketing and Communications to prepare proposals, case statements and campaign collateral materials used for major gift solicitation.  Solicit and close on major gifts.  Steward major gift relationships, including individual donors and corporate philanthropy.

25% Planned Gift Development:  Develop a comprehensive, integrated program of planned gift initiatives designed to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donor relationships with the Foundation.  Use moves management to cultivate annual and alumni donor relationships into planned gift intentions.

25% Community and Government Relations Liaison:  Cultivate relationships with local and state governments, chambers of commerce, and other influential stakeholder groups. Monitor local and state policy initiatives and budgets.  Serve as local and state community and governmental liaison and advisor, attending public meetings and events and coordinating efforts to secure grant funding from governmental bodies such as the Tennessee General Assembly, Appalachian Regional Commission, Tellico Reservoir Development Agency, and local Industrial Development Boards.  Promote the College and the president by developing productive relationships with local and state governmental leadership.

5% Grant Development:  Pursue successful grant funding for the college by identifying grant funders, cultivating relationships with corporate and private foundations, and developing grant proposals, including researching, writing, and editing.  Secure letters of support and teaming agreements from government, education, and business and industry partners necessary to apply for and execute funded grant initiatives.  Supervise Grant Development Coordinator to execute prospect identification, qualification, and solicitation tasks. Review and edit grant proposals and grant compliance reports before submission.

5% Assist with special events designed to raise funds and/or recognize donors.  Network to develop beneficial relationships for the College and Foundation at business and community events before and after regular work hours.  Represent the College in community organizations.

Note: The College reserves the right to change or reassign job duties, or combine positions at any time.

Key Results Areas:

The measurable outcomes for Major Gift Development are:

• Increase major gift funds raised and pledged
• Increase number of planned gifts pledged
• Execute Legislative Communications Plan, including meeting quarterly benchmarks
• Increase total grant funds awarded

Job Requirements: 

Bachelor’s Degree; Master’s Degree preferred; Familiarity with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge data management system preferred. 

Five to ten years demonstrated experience in development and procurement of major gifts, preferably in a higher education setting.  Successful experience in community relations and/or government affairs.  Outstanding oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal, organizational and analytical skills required.  Skilled in building relationships, listening and negotiating.  Ability to work effectively with diverse people and organizations.  Must be highly motivated and self-directed.  Demonstrated leadership and the ability to successfully manage multi-functional or diverse initiatives.