Major Gifts Officer

Episcopal Academy; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Employer retirement plan match

Generous paid time off

Access to campus facilities

Complimentary lunch during school year

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution is seeking a Major Gifts Officer to shape a culture of philanthropy. This role focuses on managing donor relationships, securing significant gifts, and executing engagement strategies. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree and a proven track record in fundraising, alongside strong communication and relationship-building skills. The position is located on-site in Newtown Square, PA and involves regional travel. The organization offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including retirement matching and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Proven success securing six- and seven-figure major gifts.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, and storytelling skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 75–120 high-capacity prospects and donors.
• Secure six- and seven-figure gifts for priorities.
• Design and execute multi-year engagement strategies.

Skills

Relationship-building

Communication

Strategic planning

Storytelling

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Major Gifts Officer

The Episcopal Academy seeks a relationship-centered, strategic, and collaborative Major Gifts Officer to help shape and sustain an evergreen culture of philanthropy. As a trusted advisor to donors and a thought partner to institutional leaders, you will design and execute individualized strategies that align donor passions with The Episcopal Academy's most ambitious priorities.

Reporting to the Associate Director of Advancement, Major Gifts, you will manage your work with significant autonomy while collaborating closely across the Advancement team. This role is ideal for a fundraiser who is motivated by building something enduring rather than simply closing transactions – bringing rigor, creativity, and sound judgment to your work. You are fluent in storytelling and deeply committed to delivering a thoughtful, personalized, mission-centered donor experience.

What You Will Do

• Manage a portfolio of 75–120 high-capacity prospects and donors.
• Secure six- and seven-figure gifts supporting annual, capital, and endowment priorities.
• Design and execute multi-year engagement strategies across the full donor lifecycle.
• Develop compelling proposals, concept papers, and gift agreements.
• Partner with Advancement leadership on portfolio strategy and pipeline development.
• Collaborate with Advancement Services, Annual Giving, Alumni Engagement, and Stewardship to ensure a seamless donor experience.
• Use data and qualitative insights to inform strategy and forecast progress.
• Represent Advancement at donor events, school programs, and community gatherings.

About You

You are a bold, relational fundraising professional who thrives at the intersection of strategy and execution. You bring a strong record of securing major gifts and know how to build authentic, long-term relationships rooted in trust and transparency. You excel at donor engagement, communicate with clarity and purpose, and thrive in a mission-driven environment that values collaboration, innovation, and thoughtful urgency. You will excel in this role if you have:

• Proven success securing six- and seven-figure major gifts.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, and storytelling skills that inspire generosity.
• Strategic, disciplined approach to prospect and moves management.
• Ability to work independently with sound judgment while collaborating across teams.
• Growth mindset with openness to feedback, learning, and evolving best practices.

Benefits and Application Details

The position is based on our Newtown Square, PA campus and requires on-site work, regional travel, and occasional evening or weekend events.

A bachelor's degree and at least five years of experience in advancement or related fundraising work are required.

Competitive salary and benefits; employer retirement plan match; generous paid time off; excellent work/life balance; access to ongoing professional development; complimentary lunch during the school year; and use of campus facilities, including library and fitness center.

About the Office of Institutional Advancement

The thirteen-person Advancement team at The Episcopal Academy is a collaborative, mission-driven group that fosters a culture of philanthropy grounded in gratitude, stewardship, and authentic relationships. Our efforts directly support students, faculty, and programs that shape the Episcopal experience—from financial aid and faculty development to athletics and the arts.

• Completion of a $123 million comprehensive campaign, including $75 million for endowment.
• $2.77 million raised for the Episcopal Fund in FY25 from over 1,800 donors.
• More than $6 million raised through EITC/OSTC in FY25 to support financial aid.
• Endowment surpassing $160 million, securing long-term sustainability.

About Us

Located 16 miles outside of Philadelphia, The Episcopal Academy offers competitive salary and benefits; employer retirement plan match; generous paid time off; excellent work/life balance; access to ongoing professional development; complimentary lunch during the school year; and use of campus facilities, including library and fitness center.

While each employee at Episcopal brings a unique set of competencies and skills to their work, we believe all employees should:

• Be student-centered, embrace school life, and show it through actions and interactions with students, colleagues, and parents.
• Embody and live The Stripes.
• Consistently maintain high work standards and motivate others to achieve the same standard of excellence.
• Demonstrate a desire and willingness to constantly grow and learn, both personally and professionally, and see others, especially students, as having the ability to learn and reach success.
• Demonstrate a belief in and commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse school community.
• Foster a positive culture by being optimistic, selfless, flexible, and collaborative.

The Episcopal Academy does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability and familial affiliation or any other characteristic protected by law. We seek candidates who hope to help foster a school environment where all people are valued and where all perspectives are respected and appreciated.