MILLS COLLEGE

MILLS COLLEGE

DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, MAJOR GIFTS
Oakland, California

About Mills College

Mills College is a nationally known, independent, liberal arts college for women with graduate programs for women and men. Located on 135 wooded acres in the Oakland foothills, the College has an enrollment of 926 undergraduate women and 584 graduate men and women.

Mills has an annual budget of $80,200,000 that supports 181 faculty members. The endowment is valued at over $150,000,000.

The Office of Institutional Advancement (OIA) is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors that support the strategic initiatives of Mills College. The strategic initiatives include supporting student scholarships, maintaining preeminence in the arts, encouraging leadership for women in the professions, as well as advancing women in science, technology and research. OIA consists of individual giving programs such as annual, major, and planned gifts as well as foundation and corporate giving. Gift processing and donor relations are also a part of OIA.

For more information, please visit http://www.mills.edu/about/facts.php.

Position Overview

As part of the major gifts team, the Development Officer plays a critical role in the success of the Office of Institutional Advancement (OIA). The Development Officer represents Mills College to alumnae/alumni, parents and friends who have the capacity to make major gifts to Mills College. With direction from the Assistant Vice President of Development, the Development Officer identifies, cultivates and solicits prospective donors in California and in other areas of the United States as assigned. The Development Officer focuses on field work and on building relationships with donors and prospects that lead to solicitations and gifts.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The position reports to the Assistant Vice President for Development. The position does not supervise any staff, but shares an administrative assistant.

RESPONSIBILITIES

* Secure major gifts of $25,000+ to the College.
* Manage a portfolio of 200+ prospects and donors; develop cultivation and/or solicitation plans for each prospect; follow up in a timely manner on new leads from research, volunteers and all other sources.
* Develop an active pipeline of 30+ major gift solicitations in progress.
* Coordinate with staff in annual giving and planned giving and support those programs by regularly soliciting annual gifts and bequest intentions from assigned prospects.
* Maintain a very active calendar of travel and local visits to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects and donors. Follow best practices in moves management.
* Create and present proposals and gift agreements-in person and in writing-that match donor interests with College priorities. Negotiate with prospects and their advisors to successfully close major gifts.
* Initiate and manage strategic collaborations with faculty and other academic leaders in order to advance donor relationships, solicitations and stewardship.
* Work with the major gifts committee and other volunteers to engage them in the work of the College and to support their development efforts.
* Collaborate with the stewardship and events teams to ensure that all donors are appropriately thanked, recognized and stewarded for their gifts.
* Meet all assigned metrics for numbers of visits, meaningful moves and solicitations; update the database and report on activity in a timely manner.
* Participate in OIA and College activities such as reunion and other events.
* Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

* Five or more years experience in development with two years experience in personally soliciting leadership level annual gifts or major gifts
* Ability to represent the College and its priorities effectively with diverse audiences
* Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills
* Great attention to detail and follow-through
* Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects and meet appropriate deadlines
* Tenacious and entrepreneurial approach to fundraising
* Bachelor's degree
* Ability to establish and maintain effective and productive working relationships within a diverse and multicultural environment.

PREFERRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

* Experience in higher education
* Advanced degree

TO APPLY

Please send resume and cover letter to Pamela Cook, Search Consultant at millsmgo@pamelacook.com.

Mills College offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including generous vacation and sick leave.
Applicants are subject to background checks both before and after employment.
MILLS COLLEGE IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
Reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the selection process may be requested by qualified disabled individuals.