Major Gifts Officer

The Claremont Colleges Services; United States; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

The Claremont Colleges Services is looking for a Major Gift Officer to manage significant philanthropic donations from alumnae, parents, and friends. This full-time role involves securing gifts between $25,000 and $500,000, developing donor strategies, and collaborating with leadership.

The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years of relevant fundraising experience and a strong commitment to women's education. Competitive compensation and remote work options are available for the right candidate.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated success in securing major gifts.
• Ability to develop long-term fundraising strategies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop multi-year strategies to manage major donor portfolios.
• Conduct meaningful donor visits annually to solicit gifts.
• Serve as a liaison between donors and campus partners.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Strategic planning

Relationship management

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Fundraising strategies

Education

Bachelor's degree

3+ years of experience in fundraising

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Microsoft Office

Job description

Major Gift Officer – Overview

The Major Gift Officer is a frontline fundraising professional responsible for securing significant philanthropic support from alumnae, parents, and friends of the College. Two positions are available: one focused on the Southwest territory, and the other on the East Coast territory, with additional assignments based upon department needs. Reporting to the Director of Development and Major Gifts, the Major Gift Officer manages a strategic portfolio of approximately 125–150 major and leadership gift prospects and is responsible for cultivating, soliciting, negotiating, and stewarding donors capable of making gifts of $25,000 to $500,000+, with an emphasis on building a pipeline for leadership, planned, and principal gifts. This position plays a critical role in advancing the College’s strategic fundraising priorities and campaign initiatives. The Major Gift Officer develops long‑term donor strategies, prepares briefings and proposals for senior leadership, and collaborates across the Division of External Relations and Institutional Advancement to advance complex gift opportunities.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Major Gift Fundraising and Portfolio Management: Develop and execute comprehensive, multi‑year strategies to qualify, cultivate, solicit, negotiate, and steward a portfolio of approximately 125–150 major and leadership gift prospects. Achieve established annual goals for new commitments and cash, contributing directly to divisional fundraising targets. Conduct at least 120 meaningful donor visits annually and maintain an active pipeline sufficient to support major gift solicitations of $50,000+. Identify, qualify, and advance new prospects into the major gift and planned giving pipeline. Lead preparation of proposals, gift agreements, and stewardship plans in collaboration with Advancement leadership. Partner with planned giving and leadership giving colleagues to develop complex or multi‑year gift opportunities. Craft and present compelling proposals aligned with institutional priorities.
• Strategic Donor Engagement and Campaign Participation: Contribute to campaign strategy and fundraising planning. Prepare donor briefings and background materials for the President, Vice President, and senior administrators. Serve as a representative of the College, strengthening engagement among alumnae, parents, and friends. Engage volunteer leaders and advisory groups in fundraising initiatives when appropriate. Partner with colleagues in donor relations, annual giving, and alumnae engagement to enhance the donor experience.
• Travel and Territory Management: Plan and execute strategic travel (5–15 days per month) to maximize donor engagement and solicitation opportunities. Represent the College at regional events, donor gatherings, and cultivation programs. Develop long‑term engagement strategies to strengthen the College’s philanthropic presence in assigned regions.
• Collaboration and Institutional Partnership: Serve as a liaison between donors and campus partners, including faculty, senior administrators, and program leaders. Participate in prospect strategy meetings and cross‑departmental fundraising planning. Contribute to divisional planning, forecasting, and campaign preparation. Share best practices and contribute to strengthening fundraising processes and pipeline management across the team.
• Operations, Measurement and Analysis: Maintain accurate donor strategies, contact reports, and proposals in the CRM system. Monitor portfolio performance and pipeline health, adjusting strategies to meet fundraising goals. Contribute to fundraising forecasts and revenue projections. Support data‑informed decision‑making through analysis of giving trends and engagement patterns. Actively support the College’s Principles of Community and Institutional Values. Understand the College’s current database and database strategy.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated success in securing major gifts and managing complex donor relationships.
• Ability to develop long‑term fundraising strategies and execute complex solicitations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proposal writing and donor presentations.
• Ability to work effectively with senior leadership, volunteers, and high‑capacity donors.
• Strong analytical and strategic planning skills, including pipeline management and forecasting.
• Ability to travel extensively.
• Ability to convey commitment and passion for Scripps College while representing the College and the department in a professional manner at all times.
• Passion for women’s education and liberal arts values.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and donor CRM systems; experience with Raiser’s Edge and GiveCampus or similar platforms preferred.
• Ability to take initiative and demonstrate strategic and creative thinking.
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills to collaborate effectively with multiple diverse constituencies.
• Must be efficient in prioritizing work on simultaneous projects, while being adaptable.
• Knowledge of industry best practices in higher education or other non‑profits is preferred.
• Knowledge and experience with social media strategy and trends.

Qualification Standards: Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or any combination of education, training, or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the job.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in non‑profit fundraising, secondary or higher education development, and/or a related field development experience, including annual campaigns is preferred.
• Preferred: Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience in higher education or nonprofit development.
• Demonstrated experience securing gifts of $50,000 or more.
• Experience participating in campaign fundraising or leadership annual giving programs preferred.

Location, Hours, and Telecommuting

This is a regular status, full‑time, benefits‑eligible, exempt position. Regular hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday‑Friday, with variations based on College needs. The position requires nights, weekends, and up to 15 days of travel per month. The role can include remote work; a telecommuting schedule will be determined at hire and may be modified as needed.

Compensation

Salary range for the Claremont, CA position: $90,000–$102,000 annualized. Salary of the finalist(s) selected will be based on internal equity, experience, education, specialty, and training. Salary range for the NY position: $90,000–$97,500 annualized. Salary of the finalist(s) selected will be based on the same factors.