Philanthropic Advisor

The Claremont Colleges Services; United States; Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Claremont Colleges Services seeks a Philanthropic Advisor to develop and implement fundraising strategies for high-capacity donors. This role focuses on building strong relationships and supporting key college priorities through a donor-centric approach.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in leadership and fundraising, and be proficient in managing donor relationships, crafting proposals, and achieving annual fundraising goals.

This is a full-time position with a salary of $135,000–$150,000 per year.

Qualifications

• At least five years of experience in leadership and major gifts fundraising.
• Experience in an academic setting preferred.
• Record of successfully soliciting and closing six- and seven-figure gifts.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies for donor management.
• Foster relationships with high-capacity donors.
• Craft proposals and prioritize solicitations.

Skills

Effective advocacy for liberal arts and STEM education

Leadership experience in major gifts fundraising

Excellent communication skills

Strong relationship-building skills

Ability to work effectively in a complex environment

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Development, the Philanthropic Advisor (PA) will develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy to secure support from a portfolio of approximately 100-125 major gift prospects. The advisor will support the college’s top priorities and fundraising initiatives, focusing on regional fundraising through a donor‑centric model for sustained success.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and execute strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and manage a select portfolio of 100-125 high‑capacity donors and prospects capable of outright and deferred gifts of $100,000 or more, setting a personal example of success and teamwork in frontline fundraising.
• Foster relationships with assigned prospects through in‑person meetings, written communications, and digital channels while employing a donor‑centric approach.
• Set sights and achieve annual fundraising goals and performance metrics.
• Craft proposals and prioritize solicitations.
• Serve as philanthropic liaisons and counsel to Harvey Mudd College’s academic faculty and chairs to help identify, establish, and execute fundraising priorities that tie into broader advancement initiatives; proactively work to understand and maintain an in‑depth knowledge of HMC programs.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with the Harvey Mudd College community, including alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, and volunteers, to enhance fundraising efforts.
• Formulate creative cultivation plans, successful solicitation strategies, and effective stewardship efforts to maximize lifetime engagement and support for the college’s mission.
• Rely on past experience in the field and remain current with evolving trends in philanthropy.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across all functional areas within the Advancement division.
• Seek opportunities to partner with Alumni and Parent Relations staff to strengthen alumni giving opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with all college fundraising policies, goals, and procedures, including following all protocols for prospect and donor management established and implemented by Harvey Mudd College Advancement.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

CULTURE OF PHILANTHROPY

As a key campus leader and leader within OCA, support OCA’s objective to cultivate and sustain a robust culture of philanthropy that reflects belief and confidence in HMC’s leadership and mission. Reinforce that every gift supports people and programs across campus, inspiring shared pride and a collective commitment to the College’s future. Promote a sense of hospitality, giving and generosity, ensuring that individuals understand the vital role of philanthropy in contributing to the College’s success.

CAMUS COLLABORATION

Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with key offices and partners across campus, including the President’s Office, the Dean of Faculty Office, Admission, Financial Aid, Student Affairs, Financial Affairs, Communications & Marketing, academic departments and centers, and Career Services, to coordinate and amplify engagement opportunities.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Effective advocacy for the value of a liberal arts and STEM education with all constituents.
• At least five years of demonstrable experience in leadership and major gifts fundraising in a medium‑to‑large development operation.
• Experience in an academic setting, in a campaign environment, and planned giving strongly preferred.
• Record of successfully soliciting and closing six‑ and seven‑figure gifts.
• Demonstrable knowledge of fundraising best practices in higher education.
• Success in personally qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts with significant institutional impact.
• High degree of comfort and effectiveness working with high‑net‑worth individuals, domestically and internationally.
• Experience working within or alongside the entrepreneurial space (startups, VC, or tech innovation hubs) preferred.
• Ability to monitor performance to achieve personal fundraising and metric goals.
• Ability to work effectively in a complex institutional setting and maintain effective relationships with donors, volunteers, faculty, staff, colleagues, and senior management.
• Self‑confidence, optimism, personal resilience, and ability to function at peak levels in a high‑expectation environment.
• Excellent critical thinking and listening skills; excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle highly confidential information with patience, discretion, good judgment, courtesy, and tact while working with people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
• Exceptional organizational and time‑management skills.
• Willingness to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed to meet philanthropic partners or otherwise represent HMC at fundraising events.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A bachelor’s degree is required.

Experience: At least five years of demonstrable experience in leadership and major gifts fundraising in a medium‑to‑large development operation; experience in an academic setting and in a campaign environment strongly preferred.

• Record of successfully soliciting and closing six‑ and seven‑figure gifts.
• Demonstrable knowledge of fundraising best practices in higher education.
• Success in personally qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts with significant institutional impact.
• High degree of comfort and effectiveness working with high‑net‑worth individuals, domestically and internationally.
• Ability to monitor performance to achieve personal fundraising and metric goals.
• Ability to work effectively in a complex institutional setting and maintain effective relationships with donors, volunteers, faculty, staff, colleagues, and senior management.
• Self‑confidence, optimism, personal resilience, and ability to function at peak levels in a high‑expectation environment.
• Excellent critical thinking and listening skills; excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle highly confidential information with patience, discretion, good judgment, courtesy, and tact while working with people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
• Exceptional organizational and time‑management skills.
• Willingness to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed to meet philanthropic partners or otherwise represent HMC at fundraising events.

REMOTE WORK ELIGIBILITY

CategoryC: All staff positions, regardless of remote work eligibility, require an initial 30‑calendar‑day on‑campus work period. This position is classified as CategoryC as defined in the College’s Remote Work Policy, with occasional ad‑hoc remote work flexibility. Approved remote work arrangements under CategoryC allow for up to two remote work days per week during the academic year and up to two remote work days during the non‑academic year. All remote work arrangements must be approved by the direct supervisor, area Cabinet member, and Human Resources and are subject to periodic review.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Regular requirements include sit, stand, use hands and fingers, talk or hear; reach with hands and arms occasionally; lift and carry up to 10 pounds regularly and occasionally up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required: close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

HOURS

Regular office hours are 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m., Monday through Friday, though hours may vary to meet department needs. The role requires the ability and willingness to travel for up to two weeks per month as needed, as well as to work evenings and weekends as needed to meet philanthropic partners or represent HMC at engagement and fundraising events.

CLASSIFICATION

This is an exempt, full‑time, regular, benefits‑eligible position.

SALARY

$135,000–$150,000 per year.

REPORTS TO

This position reports to the Assistant Vice President for Development.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This job description defines the essential duties of the position. Harvey Mudd College expects that employees hired for this position can perform the essential functions of the job without imposing risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others. Regular employment at the College is for no specified period; conditions and status of employment are subject to change. Employment is at‑will.

EEO STATEMENT

Harvey Mudd College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will be given consideration for employment without regard to age, race, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, protected veteran’s status, disability, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.