Leadership Giving Officer

The leadership giving officer manages a portfolio of current and prospective donors to secure gifts that expand access to an affordable, experiential education and ensure students can pursue lifelong career success. This role is integral to advancing Johnson & Wales University’s mission and the continued growth of various academic and athletic experiences.

This position is responsible for identifying and cultivating new prospects, developing long‑term engagement strategies, and collaborating with internal partners to coordinate outreach and elevate donor relationships. The leadership giving officer creates personalized solicitation plans, demonstrates strong portfolio management skills, and maintains detailed records of donor interactions. Additional responsibilities include participating in events that are held on and off campus, supporting alumni affinity groups, and contributing to broader initiatives that strengthen engagement and impact.

• Manages an assigned portfolio of current and prospective constituents, and cultivates, solicits and stewards current and prospective donor relationships
• Identifies prospective constituents and develops long term plans for their involvement with the university; identifies, qualifies and stewards alumni prospects in collaboration with other university team members
• Communicates with alumni donors to maximize gift opportunities and creates and executes personalized strategies to secure multi-year pledges
• Conducts outreach efforts with current and prospective donors through various virtual and in-person platforms; prepares regular written contact reports and tracks outreach activity in the database
• Collaborates with internal team members to support alumni affinity groups, develop individual donor strategies, conduct joint visits and elevate prospects with major and/or planned giving potential
• Plans and participates in on and off campus events in support of achieving fundraising goals
• Performs other duties as assigned

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree
• Moderate amount of experience working in fundraising or other related experience
• Valid U.S. driver's license
• Proficient in Blackbaud’s RE NXT database management

• Bachelor's degree or greater in communications, business or a related field of study 
• Demonstrated experience securing annual and leadership gifts
• Knowledge of best practices in portfolio management