Senior Major Gifts Officer: Engineering & Alumni Impact

Purdue for Life Foundation; West Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

10 paid holidays

Vacation days up to 22 per year

Traditional 403(b) and Roth plans

10% employer retirement contribution

Health Savings Account up to $700/year

Employer funded Dental and Vision

Tuition discounts at Purdue University

Job summary

Purdue for Life Foundation is seeking a professional in West Lafayette, IN to advance major gifts and donor engagement within the College of Engineering. The role emphasizes relationship building, strategic solicitation, and collaboration with executive leadership.

Joining our team means supporting Purdue University initiatives, traveling as needed, and leveraging a development process to meet fundraising goals. Excellent communication and diplomacy are required.

Qualifications

• Public speaking skills are essential.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills essential, including writing.
• Must be able to interact with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to use good judgment, maintain confidentiality and represent the University with tact.
• Ability to articulate the mission of Purdue University as needed.
• Possess initiative and the ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team.
• Excellent relationship building, organizational skills and ability to handle multiple projects.
• Must be able to solicit gifts in person.
• Desire to continuously improve professional competency through participation in professional development opportunities.
• Basic computer skills are essential.
• Knowledge of philanthropy and fundraising principles are desired.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a plan to bring donors to the College of Engineering and the University through active use of the development process.
• Set specific objectives to effectively advance toward solicitation of major gifts in accordance with Purdue for Life Foundation’s current fundraiser metric system.
• Identify and establish personal contact with current and prospective major gift donors whose interest and financial capacity have the greatest likelihood of meeting the unit and University fundraising goals.
• Frequent travel and/or evening and weekend duties are required.
• Collaborate with appropriate development and department staff to develop prospect strategies and build relationships.
• Set specific goals and objectives to effectively advance toward solicitation of annual and major gifts.
• Host, co-host and/or attend development-related receptions and other donor events locally and regionally.
• Report regularly on the progress toward annual goals and action plans.
• Become adept at using a Salesforce CRM in support of annual and major gift activities.
• Share information with other pertinent development officers in a timely manner to maintain strong collegial relationships.
• All other duties as assigned, including but not limited to serving as a liaison for a unit head.

Skills

Public speaking

Interpersonal skills

Written communication

Stakeholder management

Team collaboration

Initiative

Relationship building

Confidentiality

Diplomacy

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Salesforce CRM

MS Office

Job description

Purdue for Life Foundation is seeking a professional in West Lafayette, IN to advance major gifts and donor engagement within the College of Engineering. The role emphasizes relationship building, strategic solicitation, and collaboration with executive leadership.

Joining our team means supporting Purdue University initiatives, traveling as needed, and leveraging a development process to meet fundraising goals. Excellent communication and diplomacy are required.