Director of Major Gifts & Philanthropy

Millsaps College; Jackson (MS); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Millsaps College seeks a Director of Development to cultivate and solicit philanthropic support from a portfolio of alumni and donors across the United States. The role focuses on gifts of $25,000+ and higher, aligning donor interests with Millsaps’ priorities.

The Director travels regionally for donor visits, plans engagement strategies, and works within the Office of Institutional Advancement to secure funding and build lasting partnerships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent mix of education and experience.
• 3+ years as a front-line major gift fundraiser; experience with gifts incl. planned giving.
• Familiarity with community-centric fundraising and inclusive leadership.
• Ability to manage complex projects independently.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a regional/local portfolio of 75–125 constituents with gifts of $50,000+.
• Initiate contact with major gift donors and potential donors.
• Qualify capacity and affinity to align with institutional priorities.
• Develop and execute cultivation strategies that align donor interests with priorities.
• Lead solicitations with compelling proposals and timely follow-up.
• Maintain stewardship contacts and schedule appointments with donors.

Skills

Relationship building

Donor cultivation

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field

Tools

Slate

The Raiser’s Edge

Salesforce

Google Suite

Excel

Job description

Millsaps College seeks a Director of Development to cultivate and solicit philanthropic support from a portfolio of alumni and donors across the United States. The role focuses on gifts of $25,000+ and higher, aligning donor interests with Millsaps’ priorities.

The Director travels regionally for donor visits, plans engagement strategies, and works within the Office of Institutional Advancement to secure funding and build lasting partnerships.