Managing Director, Special Gifts

Position Details

Position Information

Posting date 10/08/2026 Closing date Open Until Filled Yes Position Number 1125557 Position Title Managing Director, Special Gifts Hiring Range Minimum $101,500 Hiring Range Maximum $126,900 ($145,000 Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA bay area. $135,000 for Denver, CO) Union Type Not a Union Position SEIU Level Not an SEIU Position FLSA Status Exempt Employment Category Regular Full Time Scheduled Months per Year 12 Scheduled Hours per Week 40 Schedule

This is a full time position, Monday through Friday from 8 am until 5 pm, with possibility for night and weekend work.

Location of Position

This position is eligible for fully remote work arrangement. This position will manage a portfolio of prospects in the Western region. There is a strong preference for the person to be in the Western region either in San Francisco Bay area, Denver, or Los Angeles.

Remote Work Eligibility? Remote eligible Is this a term position? No If yes, length of term in months. NA Is this a grant funded position? No Position Purpose

To secure current-use and capital commitments of up to $250,000 from a diverse constituency in support of Dartmouth College's institutional priorities. The Managing Director will manage a select portfolio of prospective donors in the Western Region, demonstrating successful cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major donors.

Description Required Qualifications - Education and Yrs Exp Bachelors plus 6 or more years' experience or combination of education and experience Required Qualifications - Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Bachelor's degree or the equivalent
• Six or more years of experience in a complex college or university development operation, or the equivalent
• Demonstrated experience soliciting and closing four, five and six-figure gifts
• Deep understanding of and appreciation for the philanthropic process and individual giving behaviors combined with direct solicitation experience
• Ability to work with and command the respect of senior officers, Trustees, and other high-level donors and volunteers
• Strong interpersonal and listening skills with the ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrated organizational, analytical, and planning skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated presentation abilities.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with appropriate discretion
• Demonstrated integrity and strong negotiation skills
• Self-motivated, proactive
• Ability to travel approximately 30-40% of working days; some evening work required
• Knowledge of gift planning vehicles and techniques

Note: Employment will be contingent upon possession of a valid U.S. or Canadian driver's license and continued qualification as an Approved Driver under the Dartmouth College Driver Safety and Motor Vehicle Policy.

Preferred Qualifications Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries Lesa Knapp Department Contact Phone Number 603-646-1317 Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title Lesa Knapp, Assistant Vice President for Advancement Administration Department Contact's Phone Number 603-646-1317 Equal Opportunity Employer

Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all.

Background Check

Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Dartmouth vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job? Yes Special Instructions to Applicants

Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products (including smokeless tobacco) are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy. https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy

Additional Instructions

There is a strong preference for employee to live and work in one of these Western regions: San Francisco Bay area, Denver, or Los Angeles.

We intend to make two hires for this role.

Quick Link https://searchjobs.dartmouth.edu/postings/87468

Key Accountabilities

Description

Develops and implements comprehensive qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for prospective donors capable of making comprehensive gifts of four, five, and six-figures in support of institutional priorities. Works toward aggressive solicitations that aims high for prospect gift and participation levels, demonstrating use of innovation, risk-taking, and tenacity in achieving goals. Partners with division colleagues to devise an overall strategy for effective cultivation, communication, solicitation, and stewardship of planned gift donors using in-depth knowledge of gift planning vehicles and the legal aspects of charitable giving and special gifts. Ensures stewardship is provided to donors on existing endowment and current-use funds. Identifies prospective donors to participate in special events, committees, or other activities that promote the cultivation process. Supports and coordinates regional in-person and virtual engagement events. Travels to assigned region to visit prospective donors and coordinates campus visits while overseeing preparation of necessary collateral and post visit follow-up communications and recordings. Organizes, trains, and supports volunteers individually and in committees to engage and solicit special gift prospects.

Percentage Of Time 75% Description

Works with the Director to establish strategic performance goals in assigned regions; monitors progress against goals and implements strategies and appropriate corrections to ensure success. Articulates and implements strategies for communicating with donors, including drafting, and customizing institutional correspondence, proposals, and other written materials for all assigned prospects that communicates and advocates the needs of the College. Participates in long-range planning for assigned region and as appropriate, the department, while incorporating the needs of diverse populations in program planning. Travels to Hanover at least four times a year for planning and professional development purposes; develops networks with campus colleagues to remain current with best practices and emerging trends in philanthropy, and campus news. Earns reputation as good citizen and ambassador of Dartmouth, and effectively communicates a commitment to institutional values and mission.

Percentage Of Time 25%

• -- Demonstrates professionalism and collegiality through actions, interactions, and communications with others appropriate to an environment that is welcoming to all. -- Performs other duties as assigned.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • How did you learn about this employment opportunity?

• Current Dartmouth employee (Please specify full name below)

• Word of mouth

• Mentioned on social, digital, or print media (e.g. LinkedIn feed, VOX, Valley News, listserv)

• jobs@dartmouth.edu email outreach (includes Job Alert notifications, marketing emails from Talent Acquisition)

• Recruiter (Please specify full name or event below)

• abilityJOBS

• Chronicle of Higher Education

• Glassdoor

• Handshake

• HigherEdJobs

• HigherEdMilitary

• Indeed

• Inside Higher Ed

• LinkedIn's Job Board

• RecruitMilitary

• Dartmouth's Job Board (searchjobs.dartmouth.edu)

• Other (Please specify below)

• If you would like to add more information to your answer, please specify here:

(Open Ended Question)

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

• Additional Document #1