Major Gifts Officer

Since 1920, Mount St. Joseph University has provided an education that is based on interdisciplinary liberal arts and professional curricula emphasizing mission, values, integrity, and social responsibility. Faculty and staff deliver high-quality academics, hands-on experiential learning, and personalized attention to support student success. Join our award-winning team, recognized as a 'Best College to Work for,' and be part of a vibrant culture that places a premium on collaboration and belonging

Purpose:

The Major Gifts Officer serves as a strategic philanthropic partner in advancing Mount St. Joseph University's mission, by cultivating meaningful relationships that inspire transformational giving. Guided by the University's Catholic heritage and the legacy of the Sisters of Charity, this position identifies, engages, solicits, and stewards alumni, friends, foundations, corporations, and community partners whose generosity expands educational opportunities, strengthens institutional priorities, and enriches the lives of students. Through authentic relationship-building and mission-centered fundraising, the Major Gifts Officer helps secure the resources necessary to ensure the University's continued impact and long-term sustainability.

Duties:

Major Gift Portfolio Management

• Manage a portfolio of 75–100 active major gift prospects. capable of making gifts of $5,000 or more.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that align donor passions with the University’s priorities and mission-driven initiatives.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward alumni, parents, corporations, foundations, and “friends of the University.”
• Partner with Advancement leadership to identify and qualify new major gift prospects, through research, screening, and relationship development.
• Ensure all gift acceptance and processing activities comply with the University’s policies and ethical fundraising standards.

Philanthropic Strategy & Campaign Support

• Collaborate with the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and University leadership to implement comprehensive fundraising strategies that advance institutional goals and strategic priorities.
• Assist in the development of compelling case statements, proposals, donor communications, and other materials that articulate the impact of philanthropy on the University's mission and student success.
• Support capital initiatives, comprehensive campaigns, annual giving strategies, and special fundraising projects as assigned.
• Participate in planning and executing donor engagement events and activities that strengthen relationships and encourage philanthropic investment.

Donor, Alumni & Community Engagement

• Serve as a visible ambassador for Mount St. Joseph University, by fostering lasting relationships with alumni, donors, volunteers, and community partners.
• Inspire alumni and “friends of the Mount” to remain actively engaged through volunteerism, events, mentorship, and philanthropic support.
• Collaborate effectively with academic leaders, faculty, staff, and campus partners to identify funding priorities and communicate institutional needs.
• Travel locally and nationally, as necessary, to cultivate and steward donor relationships, including occasional evening and weekend commitments.

Data Management & Accountability

•  Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive records of donor interactions, strategies, and outcomes, within the University's CRM system.
• Prepare reports and performance metrics to monitor fundraising progress, portfolio activity, and achievement of goals.
• Support ongoing efforts to ensure data integrity and maximize the effectiveness of advancement systems and processes.

Professionalism, Collaboration & Mission Integration

• Demonstrate a commitment to the mission, values, and culture of Mount St. Joseph University, through professional conduct and collaborative engagement.
• Foster a spirit of service, hospitality, integrity, and respect in all interactions with internal and external constituents.
• Continuously, seek opportunities to improve fundraising practices, operational efficiency, and donor experiences.
• Exercise sound judgment, initiative, and discretion, while managing confidential information and complex donor relationships.
• Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned, in support of Institutional Advancement and University priorities.

Supervision Exercised: May direct the routine activities of division support staff to assist in accomplishing assigned responsibilities.

Supervision Received: Works with considerable independence toward established objectives, exercising sound judgment and initiative, while referring unusual or complex matters to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement.

Education: Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree and/or Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) credential preferred.

Experience: Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in philanthropy, advancement, or related fundraising roles, with demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts. Experience with donor relationship management, campaign strategy, moves management, event engagement, and donor communications is required. Familiarity with higher education fundraising is preferred.

Specialized Training: Working knowledge of fundraising principles and best practices, as endorsed by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and other recognized professional organizations. Experience with CRM systems and donor analytics is preferred.

Core Competencies:

• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Commitment to ethical fundraising and donor-centered stewardship.
• Strategic thinking, with the ability to translate institutional priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments, while maintaining a high degree of professionalism, confidentiality, and accountability.
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting the mission of Mount St. Joseph University and advancing student success through philanthropy.

Benefits
Mount St. Joseph University offers a wide array of benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, health, and wellness needs of you and your family. Eligibility varies by position and FTE.

• Tuition Remission for you and your family.
• 403b Retirement
• Excellent benefits including medical, employer HSA contributions, dental, vision, life, parental leave.
• Generous PTO.
• 16 paid holidays.
• Competitive salaries.
• Opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative educational environment.
• Professional development opportunities.

To apply, please upload a cover letter, resume, and contact information with three professional references via Paycom.

A review of resumes will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

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Mount St. Joseph University is an Equal Opportunity Employer