Major Gifts Officer

Job no: 530014
Position Type: Staff Full Time
Campus: UMass Boston
Department: VC-University Advancement
Pay Grade: 34
Date opened: 07 Jul 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 28 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

General Summary:

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Principal & Leadership Gifts and Campaign Director, the Major Gifts Officer is primarily responsible for developing managing, implementing, and overseeing strategies for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of approximately 100-150 prospective leadership gift donors. The Major Gifts Officer will create individualized solicitation plans leading to major outright and deferred gifts of $50,000+, integrating unrestricted and restricted gifts, endowment, annual and capital gifts in support of UMass Boston’s fund-raising priorities. Responsibilities will most significantly include the identification, cultivation and solicitation of new prospects for the University.

The Major Gifts Officer will serve as a fundraiser for University-wide targeted initiatives and will work closely with colleagues in University Advancement, Dean’s, faculty and senior administrators in developing and implementing key fund-raising strategies and activities.

Examples of Duties:

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the priorities of the University and make a persuasive verbal and written case for supporting key programs and projects, effectively matching the interests of prospects to specific University needs;

• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward special and leadership gifts from a managed portfolio of 100-150 prospects and donors with capacity to make gifts of $50,000 and more. Face-to-face solicitations are required;

• Articulate the mission of UMass Boston, its programs and activities in a succinct and compelling manner and advance individual relationships that result in philanthropic contributions to the university;

• Visit 10-12+ donors/prospects monthly along with significant phone, text and email outreach;

• Gather data, assess prospects, and develop strategies designed to realize the current and life-time giving potential of individual prospects;

• Ensure consistent and appropriate contact, facilitate or make solicitations and ensure effective stewardship;
• Develop material used by Deans, Directors, Vice Chancellors, the Provost and the Chancellor for meetings, visits or individual contacts;

Coordinate specialized appeals targeted at constituent groups associated with a particular discipline, program or initiative; Collaborate with senior administrators, deans, faculty and volunteers to develop ideas that translate the University’s fund- raising priorities into gift proposals and to advance major gift prospects;

• Participate in the planning and execution of special events;

• Submit timely contact reports for each visit with detailed briefing papers;

• Work with planned giving to identify prospects for bequests and other planned gifts to the University;

• Gather, record and properly store information about prospect and donors utilizing Advance the University’s donor and alumni tracking database and use Gravyty for identifying new prospects;

• Work with the Associate Vice Chancellor, Deans Directors, faculty and staff throughout the university to develop funding opportunities, engage in relationship-building activities of many kinds with faculty, volunteers and prospects; and provide general direction for support of university-wide targeted initiatives;

• Plan and implement focused cultivation, solicitation and stewardship for specific gift opportunities; and,

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s preferred and seven-plus years of direct and successful development experience in fundraising, which includes a minimum of five-plus years of special/leadership gift experience, preferably in higher education, with a record of closing major gifts is required. Experience in fundraising at a complex University is preferred. Strong interpersonal skills are required, both written and oral, as well as a high level of sophistication and maturity in social and professional settings. Comprehensive campaign experience is a plus. Incumbent must be able to travel locally and nationally to meet with donors and prospective donors to raise money on behalf of the University. Ability to work various hours including nights and/or weekends.

• Discretion and an ability to interact with high-level donors and the ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality;
• Proven track record of successful solicitation and securing major and high-end annual gifts;
• Ability to be an effective advocate for the University;
• Ability to be proactive;
• Knowledge and proficiency with various planned giving vehicles is preferred;
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a team environment; Strong oral, written communication and interpersonal skills;

Supervision Received

This position reports directly to the Associate Vice Chancellor Principal & Leadership Gifts and Campaign Director.

Supervision Exercised:

Number of non-student employees directly supervised: 0

Number of non-student employees indirectly supervised: 0

Average number of student employees supervised at any given time: 0

Application Instructions:

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date.

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link:

Grade: 34

Salary Ranges

This is an exempt union position.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact HR@umb.edu or 617-287-5150.

Applications close: 28 Aug 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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