Description
The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) is responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors. Managing a portfolio of approximately 125+ prospective donors, the MGO will design and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies to secure gifts of $100,000 and above. Working as part of a collaborative Advancement team, the MGO builds strong relationships with individuals capable of making leadership annual, major, and planned gifts in support of The College’s mission, strategic priorities, and Centers of Excellence.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Manage a portfolio of approximately 125+ major gift prospects and donors building strong relationships and major gifts.
- Conduct in-person, virtual, phone, and written donor visits to cultivate and solicit gifts.
- Develop and implement individualized solicitation and stewardship strategies to ensure College engagement and repeat giving
- Meet defined goals for outreach, visits, asks, and dollars raised. [ms1]
- Identify and qualify annual donors for entry into the Second Century Society and Investor’s Club pipeline.
- Travel locally and nationally to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward major and planned giving prospects within assigned portfolio.
- Collaborate with Advancement colleagues, volunteers, faculty and staff, and Center leadership to support strong cultivation through stewardship strategies.
- Utilize research, data analysis and other insights to inform the appropriate solicitation level and opportunity that is tailored to the prospect’s philanthropic goals.
- Draft major gift proposals and related donor materials in partnership with internal stakeholders.
- Follow all internal processes for documenting activities, meetings, moves, and outcomes in The College’s CRM system.
- Support institutional campaigns, special initiatives, and fundraising events as assigned.
- Attend College events including events hosted by the Advancement and Alumni Relations Division as well as institutional events as needed.
- Design and execute creative strategies and moves management plans for major gift prospects; Fluency in compensation structures, assets, and liquidity events relevant to philanthropy.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive frontline fundraising experience
- Demonstrated success securing six- and seven-figure gifts.
- Asks thoughtful questions that uncover stated and underlying motivations; navigates ambiguity, complex dynamics, and varied personalities with clarity and respect.
- Builds trust and credibility with stakeholders at all levels, from College partners to senior leaders and executive alumni; grounded in emotional intelligence and attentive listening.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple relationships and projects simultaneously.
- Experience working with senior leadership, faculty, and volunteers.
- CRM/database experience required; Salesforce preferred.
- CAP or CFRE designation preferred or willingness to pursue.
- Willingness and ability to travel and work evenings and weekends, as needed.
- Embraces continuous learning and collaborative problem-solving; shows interest in tax-smart and asset-based giving; contributes creativity, initiative, and teamwork to a mission-aligned advancement culture.
- Collaborative, adaptable, and proactive—capable of thriving in a fast-paced, goal-driven environment.
The College provides an award-winning culture and offers a competitive total compensation package that includes:
- Lucrative Time Off (25-40 Days PTO, Paid Family Medical Leave, 11 Paid Holidays)
- Retirement Savings Plan with Supplemental Contribution and Match
- Tuition Remission and Reimbursement
- Medical, Dental, Vision, and Wellness Benefits
- Company-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- Flexible, hybrid, and remote work schedules
The target hiring range is $78,800.00 - $102,400.00
***The salary of the candidate selected for this role will be based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The hiring range represents The College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of possible compensation at the time of posting.
