Summary

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.

Essential Job Functions

• 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

Required Qualifications

• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• 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

Compensation:  $95,000 - $100,000/annualized 

Benefits: This full-time position offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, paid holidays, sick time, vacation time, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA), educational assistance benefits, and an employee assistance program. Participation in any benefit is subject to meeting eligibility criteria. The university reserves the right to modify, amend or terminate any benefit or benefit programs as they apply to any participants, including but not limited to current and former employees. This is only a summary; the full details, which control, are in the applicable plan documents.

Please Note:

Qualified candidates must live or relocate within a daily commuting distance of the Providence Campus location upon hire.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until job posting is closed.

Our students, faculty and staff have varied backgrounds, experiences and perspectives that unite us as one community and contribute to our success. Johnson & Wales University is an equal opportunity employer. The university does not illegally discriminate on the basis of any protected class.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, familial status, gender or gender identity, genetic information, military service, national origin, pregnancy and related conditions, race, religion, sex, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law.