Major Gifts Officer - Sarasota, FL

The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee; Sarasota (FL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation bonus

Health and retirement benefits (employ

Employer matches up to 7%

Job summary

The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee is seeking a full-time Development Officer to plan, organize, and execute the annual fundraising strategy. You will cultivate high-value donors, manage VIP relationships, and lead major gifts campaigns, events, and annual fund activities.

You will collaborate with staff, boards, and partners to deepen donor relationships, develop communications, and ensure best practices across fundraising operations.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in relationship/VIP sales/account management with high-touch engagement
• Proven success securing high-value partnerships and major gifts
• Experience with annual fund, events, and some planned giving
• Bachelor's degree with fundraising experience and knowledge of best practices

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of high-value relationships
• Develop tailored engagement strategies for donors and VIPs
• Conduct regular outreach via meetings, calls, and communications
• Create compelling fundraising materials (proposals, reports)
• Host donor engagement opportunities and events
• Monitor and report portfolio progress toward goals
• Represent the organization as an ambassador and cultivate partnerships

Skills

High-value relationship management

VIP client engagement

Interpersonal communication

Written and verbal communication

Organized and detail-oriented

CRM experience (Salesforce)

Fundraising strategy

Education

Bachelor's degree in fundraising / related field

Tools

Salesforce CRM

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location: 580 McIntosh Rd., Sarasota, FL 34232.

Full-time, on-site (relocation expected for non-local candidates).

Salary and benefits: Base $85,000 - $105,000, commensurate with experience;

• Competitive health, wellness, and retirement benefits (4% employer contribution plus up to 3% match; potential total 7%).
• Relocation bonus may be provided.

Application deadline: ASAP, no later than August 10, 2026.

Job Summary

Plans, organizes, and executes the annual fundraising plan under the Chief Impact and Engagement Officer. Provides strategic expertise and operational support in annual, major, and planned giving, grants, and fundraising events. Develops fundraising and communications strategies to deepen donor relationships and broaden support; collaborates with staff, board, donors, and partners; ensures best practices across fundraising operations.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of high-value relationships
• Develop tailored engagement strategies
• Conduct regular outreach (meetings, calls, customized communications)
• Create compelling materials (presentations, proposals, reports)
• Host engagement opportunities
• Monitor/report portfolio progress
• Contribute to team strategies and plans
• Represent the organization as an ambassador
• Foster collaborative individual and institutional partnerships
• Contribute to event planning, execution, and follow-up
• Develop donor cultivation/appreciation events
• Develop and implement fundraising policies and procedures
• Report monthly on progress to annual goals

Qualifications

• Passion for the mission
• 3+ years in relationship/VIP sales/account management/client services with high-touch engagement
• Exceptional interpersonal skills
• Proven success securing high-value partnerships/closing deals/managing VIP clients
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Organized and detail-oriented
• Entrepreneurial, self-motivated, solution-focused
• Collaborative team player
• Tech-savvy with CRM (e.g., Salesforce) and Microsoft Office
• Proven record raising major gifts
• Experience with annual fund, events, and some planned giving
• Bachelor's degree with progressively successful fundraising experience
• Current on fundraising best practices and policies

Communication Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication
• Ability to read/analyze/interpret documents
• Respond to sensitive inquiries
• Communicate across levels
• Communicate with contractors/suppliers effectively

Physical Demands / Work Environment

Usual office with frequent sitting/walking/standing; occasional climbing/stooping/kneeling/balancing; frequent coordination for office machinery; oral/auditory capacity.

Disclaimer

Job descriptions may change; management may reassign duties as needed.