Strategic Major Gifts Officer

Marywood University; Scranton (Lackawanna County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Marywood University is seeking a Development Officer to build and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects capable of gifts of $25,000 or more. You will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors across alumni, parents, friends, and stakeholders, advancing the University's mission through strategic fundraising.

Responsibilities include managing a portfolio of 100–150 prospects with travel, developing solicitation plans, and collaborating with university leadership to realize annual,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required and 3–5 years fundraising experience.
• Ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; strong donor-centric approach.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100–150 major gift prospects and design strategic solicitation plans; travel locally, regionally, and nationally.
• Cultivate and sustain long-term donor relationships with clearly defined fundraising metrics and revenue goals.
• Lead all stages of the donor engagement cycle: identify, qualify, solicit, and steward donors; secure face‑to‑face meetings and meaningful commitments.
• Prepare tailored funding proposals, letters of intent, and gift agreements; craft stewardship communications.
• Develop innovative donor engagement approaches in collaboration with University leadership and volunteers.
• Recruit, train, and coordinate volunteer leadership and committees; partner with Alumni Engagement for events and activities.
• Maintain comprehensive donor activity in the CRM (Raiser’s Edge/NXT) and contribute to annual fundraising planning.
• Represent the University at events and advocate its priorities and core values.
• Complete additional projects as directed to support Advancement priorities.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Prospect management

Travel

Communication

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Raiser's Edge/NXT

Job description

Marywood University is seeking a Development Officer to build and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects capable of gifts of $25,000 or more. You will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors across alumni, parents, friends, and stakeholders, advancing the University's mission through strategic fundraising.

Responsibilities include managing a portfolio of 100–150 prospects with travel, developing solicitation plans, and collaborating with university leadership to realize annual,