Description

Building on the success of the Wits100 Centenary Campaign, the University of the Witwatersrand’s Development and Fundraising Office in Johannesburg, South Africa, is seeking a suitably qualified, experienced and highly accomplished Transformational Gift Fundraiser to secure significant philanthropic and sponsorship support for the University’s strategic priorities.   

The incumbent will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, engaging, soliciting and stewarding high-capacity individual donors, families, family offices, and corporations, with particular emphasis on prospects capable of making transformational gifts of R100 million ($7 million) and above. The role requires an experienced fundraiser who is able to develop sophisticated donor strategies, build trusted relationships at the highest level and successfully progress major philanthropic opportunities from initial identification through to solicitation, closure and stewardship. 

Key responsibilities include the following:

• Identify and qualify individuals, families, and corporations with the capacity and propensity to make major and transformational gifts to the University.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of high-value prospective donors aligned with the University’s strategic fundraising priorities.
• Develop bespoke cultivation, engagement, solicitation and stewardship strategies for transformational gift prospects.
• Build and maintain strong, trusted relationships with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices, philanthropic organisations, corporate leaders and other key stakeholders.
• Work closely with the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, senior University leadership, academics and other institutional stakeholders to develop and execute high-level donor engagement strategies.
• Personally solicit major and transformational gifts and, where appropriate, prepare and support senior University representatives to undertake significant funding asks.
• Develop compelling philanthropic propositions and cases for support that effectively connect donor interests with the University’s strategic priorities.
• Facilitate the progression of prospective donors through the fundraising cycle from identification and cultivation to solicitation, gift closure and long-term stewardship.
• Negotiate significant philanthropic gifts and sponsorships in collaboration with relevant University stakeholders.
• Ensure appropriate stewardship and ongoing engagement of transformational donors to support enduring relationships with the University.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive donor and prospect information within the University’s fundraising and constituent relationship management systems.
• Monitor developments and trends in major-gift and transformational philanthropy nationally and internationally. 

Requirements

• A postgraduate Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, preferably in a field such as philanthropy, corporate social investment, marketing, corporate communications, business development or a related discipline.
• A proven record of success and substantial experience in transformational gift fundraising, including gifts of R100 million and above, from solicitation through to successful closure.
• Proven experience in cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major donors, preferably within a higher education, philanthropic or comparable donor environment.
• Approximately 3-5 years' relevant fundraising or related experience.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with high-net-worth individuals, trusts, foundations, corporations and senior decision-makers.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing, negotiation and relationship-management skills.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex institutional priorities in a compelling manner.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking and the ability to develop and implement sophisticated donor engagement and solicitation strategies.
• The confidence, discretion and professional credibility required to engage with senior University leadership, academics, major donors and influential external stakeholders.
• A high degree of initiative, resilience, judgement, creativity and personal motivation.
• Strong organisational and portfolio-management skills and the ability to manage multiple high-value relationships simultaneously.
• Knowledge of South African and international philanthropic trends, particularly in relation to major and transformational giving.