The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for identifying, cultivating and soliciting alumni and friends of the University for significant gifts to fund institutional priorities. The position interacts with internal and external constituencies at the highest levels, including executive staff at the university and significant donors and prospective donors in the community.

• Implements strategies for identifying and soliciting major gift contributions.
• Builds and manages an assigned portfolio of donors and prospective donors.
• Includes participating in the identification of prospective donors, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
• It includes recommending and implementing cultivation and solicitation strategies for individual prospects, as well as working with administration and faculty where appropriate.
• Completes action reports to track prospect activity to meet expected metrics.
  

• Manages events and campaigns to cultivate and involve prospects.
• Represents the advancement division by supporting internal stakeholders and navigating development processes, cultivating donor relationships.
  

• Leverages knowledge of tax laws and planning giving to draft proposals, manage gift publicity, and support solicitation efforts aligned with university advancement goals.
  

• Attend and participate at university events, both on and off campus to enhance the friend raising efforts of the University.
  

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 3-5 years of substantial, progressively responsible, successful principal and major gifts fundraising experience. Or, combination of education, experience, and training that would produce the required knowledge and abilities could be considered.
• Ability to travel 20%

• Experience as a successful development officer for an educational institution.
  

• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills and can interact positively and professionally with both the community at large and the internal campus community. Experience working with community and business leaders in business and social settings.
• Must demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal, relationship building skills. Must possess the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects to a successful completion.
• Applicants should have the ability to work in a team environment where priorities may conflict, and consensus building is critical. Applicants should be comfortable working in and advocating for a community of individuals.
• Knowledge of higher education best practices, current tax laws, marketing strategies, and funding opportunities.