Director of Major Gifts and Estate Planning

LAKE MICHIGAN COLLEGE

Director of Major Gifts and Estate Planning

DIVISION: Advancement & Planning
REPORTS TO: Vice President Advancement & Planning
DEPARTMENT: Advancement
CLASS: Administrator

About Lake Michigan College
Lake Michigan College is a comprehensive community college situated on the shores of southern Lake Michigan. The region provides a unique blend of resort-style amenities and a diverse economic base. The College’s district is home to the world headquarters of a Fortune 150 company, nuclear energy production, agriculture, and tourism. Recognized for its many beaches, nationally acclaimed golf courses, a flourishing wine industry, the region also provides a wide range of cultural, educational and professional opportunities for families.  The College is within 90 minutes of downtown Chicago.  The University of Notre Dame and Western Michigan University are within 45 minutes of the LMC campus.

Lake Michigan College is a dynamic institution offering over 100 degree and certificate programs through three campuses and a Technology Center. The College was recently named one of the country’s 50 fastest growing community colleges within its size range and is strongly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty, staff, and student body.

LMC enrolls approximately 7,000 students annually and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC). It has an annual budget of approximately $29 million.  

Job Summary
Responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major gifts ($10,000 and above) and planned gifts for College alumni and friends. With an annual goal of $750,000 the director will manage a portfolio of 75 to 100 current and prospective donors. The annual goal will adjust upward annually in consultation with the Vice President for Advancement. Works in collaboration with the Vice President of Advancement, members of the Advancement team, and College Foundation and volunteers to develop, implement and achieve strategic and annual goals for a comprehensive fund development program. Manages and coordinates volunteer and professional relationships to support major/planned gift fundraising activities.

Job Duties
• Identifies, cultivates, stewards, and solicits prospects for major and planned gifts and manages a personal visits calendar with a target of three to five personal visits a week.
• Manages major and planned gift stewardship programs that keep donors linked to and aware of the College and its Foundation, and that continually recognize and acknowledge their support and the appreciation of the College community.
• Identifies, cultivates, selects, trains and energizes Foundation and other volunteers in the support of major gift and planned gift strategies and tasks including identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Develops and nurtures positive and productive working relationships with community professionals in support of major gift and planned gift fundraising including but not limited to financial professionals, attorneys, CPAs and CLUs.
• Works with donors to complete major and planned gifts that meet donor charitable objectives and College and Foundation goals, and consults with donors and their advisors to complete necessary agreements.
• Utilizes direct mail, College web site, seminars, events, and social media to develop and implement marketing programs to promote planned gifts and major gifts to the College Foundation.
• Works with management and faculty to identify major and planned gift opportunities that meet College and Foundation goals, researches gift prospects and develops proposals for prospective donors to fund identified needs.
• Monitors activity on, and maintains the planned giving pages on the College web site, and adopts changes as necessary to enhance the value of the web site to current and prospective donors as well as to financial planning professionals.
• Assists with the development of fundraising campaign marketing plans and materials.
• Maintains prospect lists, activity reports and other donor information, documents prospect contacts in the donor database, and prepares reports to facilitate evaluation of progress toward personal and institutional fundraising objectives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Specifications
Bachelor’s degree required. Three or more years of demonstrated experience in comprehensive and progressively more successful fund-raising including annual gifts, major gifts and/or planned giving fund-raising required. Professional certification is (CFRE, CFP) desired. A working understanding of various types of planned gift instruments (wills, trusts, annuities, etc.) with the ability to communicate the advantages of each to donors. Familiarity with the region and its people and leadership preferred. Experience working with, and leading volunteers to achieve organizational goals preferred. Outstanding interpersonal, written and communication skills required. Excellent team and leadership skills. Strong attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects. High level of confidentiality required.

Application Process
Candidates must complete an online application for employment including a letter of interest and resume. For a complete position description and online application, please visit us at www.lakemichigancollege.edu/hr [3].

Quicklink
http://lmc.simplehire.com/postings/1787 [4]




















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