Senior Major Gifts Officer - Donor Leadership & Strategy

Gengras Center; West Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, CT, seeks a Senior Leadership Gifts Officer to manage a portfolio of 100–150 donors and lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts to grow support across USJ. The role reports to the VP of Institutional Advancement and drives moves management to strengthen donor relationships.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years of fundraising experience in higher education, excellent communication skills, and proficiency with Raiser's Edge and MS Office.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• Ten+ years fundraising experience in higher education or relevant alternate experience strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Willingness to travel evenings and weekends as necessary.

Responsibilities

• Portfolio management: Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward an active portfolio of 100 to 150 prospective and current donors, moving through the stewardship cycle.
• Donor engagement: Conduct appropriate and consistent contact, making regular face-to-face or virtual visits annually to build trust-based relationships and match donor passions with USJ priorities.
• Direct solicitation: Lead gift discussions, prepare proposals, draft gift agreements, and close major financial commitments.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Partner with board members, institutional leaders, and faculty experts to develop opportunities; and support USJ targeted initiatives.
• Metrics & Tracking: Use Raiser's Edge databases to gather, record and properly store information along with tracking tools to forecast revenue, and meet performance goals.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Skills

Donor cultivation

Portfolio management

Major gifts

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Ten+ years fundraising experience

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

MS Office

Job description

University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, CT, seeks a Senior Leadership Gifts Officer to manage a portfolio of 100–150 donors and lead cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts to grow support across USJ. The role reports to the VP of Institutional Advancement and drives moves management to strengthen donor relationships.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years of fundraising experience in higher education, excellent communication skills, and proficiency with Raiser's Edge and MS Office.