Job Details

Company Description:

When Bay Path opened its doors to students in downtown Springfield, MA in 1897, it had a very clear goal: to provide a practical, affordable, and career-oriented education to meet the needs of companies, organizations, and communities. From the beginning, Bay Path prided itself on being entrepreneurial, constantly pushing the boundaries of the academic experience to fit the student. To start them on the road of success. We still do.

Today, that spirit and philosophy is more important than ever in higher education. At Bay Path, it's not just the number and breadth of undergraduate and graduate programs that defines us-and we have many-but it is our ability to connect the classroom to learning to leadership to experience to career that is at the core of what we do best. We know the work that needs to be done.

Bay Path University, an independent and not-for-profit institution, was named Among Fastest Growing Baccalaureate Colleges by the Chronicle of Higher Education Almanac, and is a member of the Women's College Coalition. With a main campus in Longmeadow, MA and four satellite locations, (East Longmeadow, Sturbridge, Concord, Springfield), Bay Path offers undergraduate, graduate (for women and men) degrees, and professional certificates.

We're committed to preparing our students to navigate a constantly changing world. Whether it is one of our innovative academic programs, groundbreaking online learning platform, or through our Women as Empowered Learners and Leaders initiative, we educate our students in ways that will help them to grow, learn to adapt, and always to flourish. Be part of the change.

We invite you to visit our website at www.baypath.edu where you can learn more about Bay Path University.

Job Description:

• Position Code: MAJGO


• Job Type: Full-time Staff, Exempt


• Supervisor: Vice President for Development


• Hours: Full Time, 8:30am-5:00pm, some evenings and weekends required


• Location: Longmeadow, MA

The Major Gift Officer works to build and enhance relationships with all constituents for the purpose of increasing financial support to Bay Path University. The Major Gift Officer is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting new prospects, and stewarding current donors toward higher commitments; for working with prospective donors to determine their philanthropic interest related to the University's fundraising goals through the annual fund, endowment, and planned giving programs; and managing a prospect pool of alumni and other newly identified prospective donors for an estimated total of 150-200. Management of major gifts means productive results from prospect identification, face-to-face solicitation, and stewardship.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Management of an assigned pool of prospective donors through the fundraising continuum from discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, focusing on prospects capable of making annual, planned, and major gifts. Meet with alumni, friends, and other prospective donors.


• Make assessment calls, cultivate, solicit, provide recognition and steward appropriate leadership and major gifts, with an emphasis on gifts at the $10,000 level and above. Work with donors on multiple giving methods, including current and deferred giving, non-cash gifts, and related tax benefit vehicles.


• Develop and maintain a thorough working knowledge of Bay Path University's academic and strategic programs in order to effectively articulate the University's priorities and fundraising objectives to donors.


• Work with the VP for Development to increase planned giving philanthropy through outreach and development of appropriate materials.


• Prepare and submit goals that contain specific timelines, projected results and outcomes.


• Document all activity in Raiser's Edge database in a timely manner.


• Collaborate/review on a monthly basis with Vice President for Development on prospects and strategic plans.


• Frequent travel will be required. Local and regional travel are regular; evening and weekend hours are occasional.


• Cultivate and research potential planned gift donors. Help retain current and former major donors through LYBUNT and SYBUNT lists. Encourage current donors to grow their giving levels and focus on unrestricted gifts.


• Work independently and be self-motivated in initiating contacts with donors and potential donors; maintain relationships in person and long distance.


• Work with the Development team in creating and implementing strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.


• Participate in special projects or activities as assigned including, but not limited to, attendance at University functions and/or fundraising events.


• Participate in department meetings, University committees, and professional development programs as required.


• Responsible for all other duties as assigned by the University.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.


• Five or more years of development or significantly related experience; experience with higher education fundraising strongly preferred.


• Superior organizational and time-management skills.


• Excellent organization, communication, and writing skills.


• Experience working with Raiser's Edge fundraising database system preferred.


• Demonstrated success in personally cultivating, soliciting, closing and stewarding major gifts from individuals. Proven ability to bring creativity and effective strategies to the major gift pipeline.


• The ability to build bridges and strong collaborative relationships across a complex organization, political astuteness and agility.


• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work autonomously under the significant pressure of multiple and sequential deadlines.


• Willingness to work some nights and weekends on an as-needed basis.


• Willingness and ability to travel throughout the United States.


• Valid U.S. driver's license.


• Must successfully pass the online safe Driving Course and driving record check at time of hire (within 15 days) and annually thereafter.


• Able to utilize Internet and social media for constituent research.


• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.


• Excellent interpersonal skills, including one-to-one, group settings, and phone etiquette with diverse constituencies.


• Strong commitment to providing service to donors as well as organizational and community leaders.


• Must project a positive and professional image.


• Ability to adhere to University policies and procedures.


• Should be committed to a culture of diversity, respect and inclusion; demonstrated ability to build working relationships with people having a wide variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences different from ones' own.


• General knowledge of the University's mission, purpose, and goals and the role this position plays in achieving those goals.

Additional Information:

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Bay Path University is a diverse community devoted to proactively nurturing a campus-wide culture that promotes and ensures respect, inclusion and safety for all members regardless of race, color, national origin, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity, socio-economic background, or physical ability. We are one University that opens our hearts and minds to conversations, to learning and to creating a community that is welcoming of all. Regardless of position, it is expected that each employee will embrace this commitment and demonstrate an attitude of respect toward and acceptance of all members of our community.

Bay Path University is a smoke- and tobacco-free community.

All offers of employment are contingent on satisfactory background checking.

Application Instructions:

Applicants for this position should attach a cover letter resume / curriculum vitae, the contact information for four (4) professional, work related references and any other relevant information pertaining to this position and your candidacy. Please apply online. Faxes and emails will not be accepted.

Bay Path University is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty committed to teaching and learning in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from minorities, women and all underrepresented backgrounds. An Equal Opportunity Employer, Bay Path University is committed to fostering diversity in its student body, faculty, and staff.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a position please email us at HR@baypath.edu or call 413-565-1168.