Senior Major Gifts Director – Philanthropy & Impact

Saint Louis Zoo; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Ultipro is seeking a Director of Major Gifts to lead a strategic fundraising program in support of the Zoo’s mission. The role manages a frontline team and oversees a major gifts program focused on gifts of $25,000 and above.

You will maintain a personal portfolio of about 150 donors and prospects while guiding grant fundraising, restricted giving, and donor pipeline strategies. Strong leadership and donor relations are essential.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree, CFRE certification, or advanced fundraising training preferred.
• Minimum 7–10 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience.
• Demonstrated success securing five-, six-, and seven-figure gifts.
• Experience managing major gift portfolios and grant writing/management.
• Experience with capital campaigns, endowment fundraising, and comprehensive campaigns preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage a personal portfolio of approximately 150 major gift donors and prospects.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Solicit and close major gifts for annual operations, capital campaigns, endowment, and programs.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and volunteers on major gift strategies and donor engagement.
• Prepare proposals, presentations, gift agreements, funding requests, and stewardship reports.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate Major Gift Officers and other staff; set performance goals.
• Foster accountability and donor-centered fundraising; provide coaching on donor strategy.
• Oversee institutional giving strategy including foundations, corporations, and government funding.
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements and reporting deadlines.

Skills

Major gifts fundraising

Donor relations

Leadership

Campaign management

Grant writing

CRM systems

Portfolio management

Strategic planning

Communication

Ethical fundraising

Education

Master’s degree

CFRE certification

Fundraising training

Tools

Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT

Salesforce

Grant management systems

Job description

Ultipro is seeking a Director of Major Gifts to lead a strategic fundraising program in support of the Zoo’s mission. The role manages a frontline team and oversees a major gifts program focused on gifts of $25,000 and above.

You will maintain a personal portfolio of about 150 donors and prospects while guiding grant fundraising, restricted giving, and donor pipeline strategies. Strong leadership and donor relations are essential.