Unit Mission Statement

University Advancement creates the conditions for opportunity – human, financial & experiential – by garnering and stewarding the resources that advance William & Mary.

William & Mary Foundation’s defining and essential mission is to support the university’s people and programs. By seeking private support, and then diligently managing those funds, the W&M Foundation advances and furthers the work of William & Mary’s students and faculty —providing vital resources for scholarships, professorships, research and program funding.

Consistent with the university’s shared services agreement with the William & Mary Foundation (WMF), this position is assigned 5% effort to support WMF with the responsibilities outlined below.

Position Summary

The Digital Gift Officer (DGO) is a key team member on the Annual Giving & Philanthropic Engagement team in the Office of University Advancement at William & Mary.

The DGO program at William & Mary is focused on joining William & Mary Advancement communications efforts with fundraising workflows to engage and grow the next generation of supporters of the institution. The DGO will focus on providing a first-class philanthropic experience for all donors by leveraging personalized digital engagement to effectively build relationships based on what truly matters to each individual supporter.

The DGO will manage a portfolio of approximately 1,000 donors with clear weekly, monthly, and annual goals. The candidate will collaborate with other departments both internally at the institution and externally, to effectively execute 1:1 outreach campaigns, using technology resources including EverTrue’s cloud platform, social media and virtual communications software. Comfort with making personalized solicitations, daily use of video, phone, and email, and use of multiple databases and virtual communication technology are needed for success in this role.

This role will be critical in helping William & Mary achieve its near-term annual giving goals, and long-term fundraising objectives as well as develop qualified major gift referrals. The Digital Gift Officer will be an innovator that works independently and with a team, Candidates should be self-motivated and positive professionals, with a team-first optimistic attitude, eager to exemplify the William & Mary spirit and engage alumni and friends at a high velocity in a personalized manner. The DGO will work under the Director of Leadership & Digital Annual Giving and will work under the guidance of the EverTrue Advancement Programs Manager.

The successful candidate will help foster a culture of belonging that provides opportunity for all people and perspectives. This is a hybrid position based in Williamsburg, Virginia, that offers a flexible work environment.

Review the full position description with all job duties under the “Featured Job Opportunities” on the University Advancement recruitment website: https://advancement.wm.edu/come-work-with-us/open-positions/index.php

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or the equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
• Experience (typically 1-3 years) managing and developing relationships with constituents, clients, or customers.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills across mediums, especially email, video, and video conferencing
• Proficiency with a variety of software applications to include web-based applications and MS Office (with strong skills in Word and Excel), and experience and proficiency working with cloud-based platforms.
• Excellent customer service skills, oral and written communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with a variety of internal and external constituencies, while exercising tact and diplomacy in all interactions.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities concurrently within strict deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education fundraising as a student or professional.
• Experience working with database applications and CRM systems (typically 1+ year/s).
• Experience working in fundraising and/or marketing and/or volunteer management.
• Demonstrated project management experience in a related field.
• Experience working with sales software.

Conditions of Employment

• Flexibility is required as this position is subject to additional hours during peak times (to include occasional evenings and weekends around university events and deadlines), as directed.
• Flexibility and ability to travel as needed.

Job Duties:

85% - Program Execution:

• Actively engage with and build relationships with a portfolio of approximately 1,000 supporters and prospects
• Leverage technology including EverTrue’s cloud platform, social media platforms, and video conferencing to build rapport, steward, and solicit donors in an alumni-centric, targeted, high-velocity manner
• Execute monthly and quarterly touch points (averaging 50 outbound touch points per day) across portfolios to ensure consistent and relevant donor communication.
• Execute clearly defined goals with an emphasis on virtual meetings with prospective donors and number of personalized solicitations delivered.
• Be fluent in the “menu” of engagement and philanthropic opportunities across William & Mary (regional alumni events, on-campus events, mentorship, and volunteer opportunities, crowdfunding campaigns, fundraising priorities) to inform conversations and solicitations
• Build relationships across the University to connect donors with relevant individuals when applicable.
• Aid in outreach and follow-up for events and activities on behalf of University Advancement
• Monitor engagement to identify and launch initiatives that drive gifts.

10% - Pipeline Development & Donor Solicitation:

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects, focusing on pipeline development to meet and exceed increasingly aggressive annual fundraising goals.
• Execute appropriate communication/cultivation plan for each prospect.
• Prepare written proposals to solicit prospects for gifts in support of William & Mary.
• Promote the priorities of William & Mary through virtual and in-person meetings with current and potential donors, traveling throughout the continental United States as needed

5% - William & Mary Foundation:

• Steward prospects to meet and exceed increasingly aggressive annual fundraising goals.
• Prepare written proposals to solicit prospects for gifts in support of the WMF.
• Steward relationships with donors based on giving history.

Equal Opportunity Statement   

EEO is the Law.  Applicants can learn more about William & Mary’s status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the "Know Your Rights" poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal

Background Check Statement  

William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check. 

Benefits Summary Statement  

William & Mary offers our employees a full array of benefits including retirement, health insurance with options for expanded dental and vision along with group and optional life insurance with coverage for spouse and children, flexible spending accounts, and an EAP (Employee Assistance Program). Our employees enjoy additional university benefits such as educational assistance, professional development, wellness benefits, and a robust holiday schedule. All employees have access to fitness facilities on campus. Staff members also have access to the university libraries, and much more. To learn more, go to: https://www.wm.edu/offices/uhr/benefits/index.php?type=none

APPLY HERE