Leveraging the success of the “Great University Campaign,” the largest and most successful in USM’s history, the University of Southern Maine Foundation is now seeking an experienced Director of Major and Planned Gifts to help set the stage for our next ambitious chapter.  The director of major and planned gifts will lead a small team and provide strategic direction for achievement of the Foundation’s major and planned giving goals. The ideal candidate will possess a high level of knowledge and expertise in areas of major gifts, gift planning strategies and deferred giving vehicles; will have a depth of experience implementing metrics, benchmarks, and other accountability measures; will be a creative relationship-builder who will make an immediate impact while simultaneously helping to build a pipeline of future major donors.

The mission of the USM Foundation is to serve as a catalyst for transformation at the University of Southern Maine. The Foundation is pursuing new and innovative ways to strengthen scholarship programs, raise capital and achieve ambitious goals, as we help to fuel transformation at the University of Southern Maine. The Foundation employs an experienced and resourceful team dedicated to supporting the success of the University and its students. The Foundation is an independent, nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization governed by a Board of Directors, which has full responsibility for the Foundation’s strategic direction and advancement efforts.

In service to our mission, our culture and values are at the center of all we do. Our work cadence is sustained by our focus on flexibility, play, and rest. In our interactions with one another and our constituencies, we are respectful, and we are light. We don’t take ourselves too seriously. We find that an approach of “going lighter,” being playful, and finding humor yields better outcomes and we have more fun in the process.

The Foundation provides a very robust benefits package, and we expect people to utilize them. Benefits include four weeks of paid vacation, thirteen paid holidays, paid parental leave, 401(K) retirement plan match, and profit sharing. Health benefits include extremely generous medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans. We encourage and support ongoing professional development.

Job Title:               Director of Major and Planned Gifts

Reports To:           Executive Director of Development

Location:               Portland, Maine

Salary Range:        $95,000 – $105,000, depending on experience.

Summary:   The Director of Major and Planned Gifts has primary responsibility for developing and implementing strategies of a comprehensive program to ensure the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals who provide significant philanthropic support to the Foundation ($100,000 and above). The Director works closely with the President of the Foundation, the President of the University, USM Foundation Board members, and other gift officers of the Foundation.  The director will play a leadership role in all comprehensive fundraising campaigns. Duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Cultivate and solicit major and planned gifts – 50%

  1. Provide strategic direction and an annual operating plan for achievement of major and planned giving goals.
  2. Develop and implement solicitation strategies for a USM’s most generous donors identified and agreed upon by the President of the Foundation and the Executive Director of Development.  Evaluate various gift opportunities and giving vehicles and recommend strategies to present to prospects.
  3. Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 relationships, and apply a moves management approach to the portfolio, with a custom cultivation strategy for each donor. Conduct 10-12 face to face visits per month, including 2-3 solicitation visits per month, with the aim of raising at least $1 million each year.
  4. Manage and oversee the Foundation’s 1878 Legacy Society including benefits, activities, recognition, and publicity for this program. Maintain associated vendor contracts, renewals, terms and conditions.
  5. Participate in and support Development Committee.

Supervise the Major Gifts Officer – 20%

  1. Supervises a major gifts officer and is responsible for helping to reach stated individual and team goals.

Liaison for fundraising with designated College/School/Program area(s) – 10%

  1. Interact with internal University contacts – Deans, faculty, officers, leadership gift officers, and others on College/School/Program needs and priorities, to formulate strategies to promote prospect engagement and to identify leadership annual, major gift, planned gift and corporate/foundation prospects.Lorem Ipsum

Contact reports, proposal writing, mentorship, internal meetings – 10%

  1. Take initiative to grow the knowledge of planned giving and educate colleagues about planned giving options. Collaborate with Development Associate to generate planned gift calculations using planned giving software.
  2. Training and support of portfolio managers working with donors on deferred and planned gifts such as trusts, life insurance, wills and bequests.
  3. Participate in leadership gift meetings with Foundation and/or Board and Committee leadership.

Measures of Success

  • Progressively increase planned giving revenue and number of commitments.
  • Progressively increase major donor revenue.
  • Meet benchmarks while working a portfolio of approximately 100 assigned donors and prospects.

Education/Experience:

Bachelor’s degree required, CFRE certification preferred.  Ten years of Advancement experience, including significant experience in major and planned gift cultivation and solicitation.  A valid U.S. driver’s license and the ability to travel on a regular basis are required. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Other Abilities:

  • Demonstrated ability in personally and consistently closing six-figure or larger philanthropic gifts from donors.
  • Ability to lead, work collaboratively with a team, and work independently.
  • Utilizes best practices and a donor-centric approach in managing a donor portfolio.
  • Requires a person with discretion, excellent judgement in dealing with high-net-worth individuals, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate the priorities of the University to alumni, parents, and friends in an effective and persuasive manner.
  • Familiarity with financial planning, tax and charitable gift laws and planned giving vehicles and methods.
  • Organizational skills, particularly planning, managing deadlines, and evaluating progress are required.
  • General knowledge of university governance and academic administrative and financial policies and priorities. Experience in working with a non-profit board of directors strongly preferred. 
  • Self-motivated and a team player, able to represent the University at the highest levels with tact, enthusiasm, and poise.
  • Contribute to a culture of collaboration, trust, transparency, inclusion, service and efficiency.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suites, database software, and contact management systems.

Employment decisions will be made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy or pregnancy-related medical conditions), sexual orientation (including gender identity or expression), national origin or ancestry, genetics, age, physical or mental disability, or veteran status.  We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time. Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S.

To apply please submit a cover letter, resume and references to usm.foundationjobs@maine.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a successful candidate is hired.