Major Gifts Officer

Georgia Aquarium Careers; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Georgia Aquarium is seeking a Major Gifts Officer to broaden and maximize support by meeting annual fundraising targets and providing exceptional donor stewardship. You will build strong relationships with trustees, donors, staff, and volunteers, while guiding moves management and recognition strategies.

Based in Atlanta, this exempt/full‑time role reports to the Vice President of Development and requires 3–5 years in development/fundraising, excellent communication, and CRM/MS Office

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3–5 years of development/fundraising experience.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational abilities.
• Proven ability to close gifts and manage donor relations.
• Experience with fundraising CRM software.
• Proficiency in MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Uses moves management philosophy to cultivate prospects by mail, telephone, and personal meetings.
• Develops annual goals and implements action plans to maximize Georgia Aquarium fundraising support.
• Works with leadership to create and implement a systemwide solicitation program.
• Develops and implements strategies for identifying potential prospects and growing donor base.
• Represents Georgia Aquarium at community functions and nurtures donor relationships.
• Achieves annual revenue targets while minimizing cost to raise a dollar.
• Sets expectations, develops plans, and manages donor recognition and stewardship.
• Supports planning and execution of engagement events for donors.
• Maintains up-to-date CRM records for prospects and donors.
• Engages in staff development and shares fundraising ideas.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Customer service

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Donor relationships

CRM software

MS Office

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

CRM software

MS Office

Job description

Position Title: Major Gifts Officer

Department: 1410 - Development

Classification: Exempt/Full Time

Employee Type: TSE - Exe Team Spec

Direct Report: Vice President of Development

The Major Gifts Officer will broaden and maximize support for Georgia Aquarium by meeting or exceeding an annual individual solicitor fundraising target and contributing to meet a team fundraising goal. This person will provide exceptional stewardship, donor recognition, and meaningful value for gifts and will build strong relationships with the Georgia Aquarium community, including trustees, donors, staff, and volunteers by encouraging use of their skills and knowledge in support of philanthropic efforts.

Responsibilities:

• Uses moves management philosophy to cultivate prospects by mail, telephone, and personal meetings.
• Develops annual goals and implements action plans to maximize Georgia Aquarium fundraising support.
• Works closely with leadership and other teams to create and implement a comprehensive systemwide solicitation program, encouraging ongoing support and stewarding prospects and donors through the fundraising continuum.
• Develops and implements strategies for identifying potential prospects and growing donor base.
• Represents Georgia Aquarium appropriately at miscellaneous community functions, networking and nurturing new and existing relationships.
• Achieves annual revenue and other targets in areas of responsibility while minimizing cost to raise a dollar.
• Sets expectations, develops plans, and manages processes to provide exceptional donor recognition and stewardship.
• Supports planning and execution of engagement events to ensure meaningful experiences for donors.
• Maintains expert knowledge of Georgia Aquarium.
• Maintains up-to-date records on both prospects and donors via CRM.
• Continually demonstrates team player attitude and positive approach.
• Engages in staff professional development by communicating with peers in other organizations to generate new fundraising ideas.
• Participates in educational programs, professional organizations, and development activities to maintain knowledge of national trends and promote leading-edge performance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3–5 years of experience in development/fundraising.
• Excellent team building, communication, customer service, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Demonstrated record of successful relationships working with donors in closing gifts.
• Knowledge of fundraising and CRM software.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Commitment:

I commit to Georgia Aquarium, Inc. to be a part of the following:

Mission: Georgia Aquarium is a nonprofit committed to inspiring awareness and preservation of our ocean and Aquatic animals worldwide.

Vision: To be the Premier Aquarium in the World for Science, Entertainment, Education and Conservation.

Values: Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, Innovation, Leadership, Excellence, Appreciation & Inclusion