Advancement Leadership Gift Associate

Title: Advancement Leadership Gift Associate

Application Review Date: 11/13/25

Campus Location: Radford City - Main Campus

Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor employment visas at this time.

Job Description

Reporting to the Senior Director of Advancement, the LGA is responsible for securing gifts to support the University's fundraising goals. The LGA is responsible for developing strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors. Develop an annual work plan that outlines strategies for communication, engagement, and fundraising efforts. Enlist the support of university partners to develop appropriate strategies for donors.

Manage a portfolio of 100-120 major gift donors and assigned prospects who can make a major gift. Serve as primary contact for individual prospects, developing and implementing cultivation and solicitation strategies as part of an annual work plan. Responsible for conducting 15 monthly meaningful contacts for field research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Assist with preparing written proposals, gift agreements, and other materials needed to define, secure, and document gifts. Effectively utilize database to record contacts with donors and prospects and analyze potential donor research materials to target prospective donors.

Establish strong working relationships with advancement, collegiate and constituent development officers and the team and staff of the areas, as well as the broader University Advancement and Alumni Relations Division to foster a productive working environment.

The position is primarily remote but requires attendance at major university events on campus (averaging around four times per year), as well as extensive travel, including evenings and weekends, to meet and engage with key contacts.

Required Qualifications

• Strong leadership, management, and strategic planning abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors with measurable outcomes or equivalent experience.
• Analytical and goal-oriented, with experience managing metrics and performance indicators.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and commitment to advancing the mission of higher education.
• Ability to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends as needed to meet with donors and attend events. Availability to travel and work non-traditional hours as needed to carry out responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience in major donor and gift solicitation, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Proven experience in fundraising and in securing philanthropic support from alumni, friends, corporations, and/or foundation or related experience.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and collaborate effectively within a team-based environment.
• Advanced degree with demonstrated experience in major donor and gift solicitation, or a bachelor’s degree with related experience that equates to an advanced degree with demonstrated experience in major donor and gift solicitation.
• Proficiency with current office software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, as well as development databases such as Raiser’s Edge.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills with the demonstrated ability to build, foster and maintain relationships with both internal and external constituencies including administrators, faculty and staff, volunteer leaders, students, and alumni.
• Results-driven, relationship-focused leader with demonstrated success in major gift fundraising. Strong communication, strategic thinking, and a passion for higher education are essential to success in this role.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preference may be given to candidates residing in Northern Virginia, Greater Richmond, or the Tidewater area.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please provide a cover letter, resume and contact information for three references.

Employment Conditions: 

Is this position Grant Funded: No

Is this position restricted: No

Is this position eligible for telework: Yes

Hours Per Week: 40

Months per Year: 12

Statement of Economic Interest Required: No

FLSA Status: Exempt

Work Classification: Administrative & Professional Faculty

Normal Work Schedule: 

Employee Classification: Professional - Lecturer

Department: Advancement

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Department Contact Name: Sharon Ratcliffe

Department Contact Phone: (540)831-6716

Department Contact Email: srratcliffe@radford.edu

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Radford University does not discriminate with regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, national origin, religion, or political affiliation in the administration of its educational programs, activities, admission or employment practices.

Clery Statement

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, Radford University publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report includes the university’s policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security, as well as three years’ of crime statistics for our campus. As a prospective employee, you are entitled to a copy of this report. The report and statistical data can be found online at Radford.edu/police. You may also request a paper copy of the report from the Radford University Police Department located at 810 East Main Street PO Box 6883, Radford, VA, 24142.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

If you are an individual with a disability and desire accommodation in the application process please contact the hiring department.

Criminal Background Check Statement

Radford University is committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all employees, students, volunteers, and stakeholders. As part of our hiring and screening process, we conduct criminal background checks in compliance with Virginia Code § 19.2-389 and other applicable state and federal laws. Successful candidates will be required to have a criminal background check.