CGU- Gift Officer

Claremont Graduate University

1d • $82,000 - $90,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Claremont Graduate University is building a focused, entrepreneurial fundraising team to support its academic transformation and long-term sustainability. The Gift Officer builds and advances relationships with donors and prospective donors, primarily alumni across generations, career stages, professions, and life experiences. The role’s primary fundraising priority is the newly created Transformation Fund, which provides bridge funding as the University enters its next chapter.

This highly external position involves substantial time meeting alumni in workplaces, on campus, in community settings, and at retirement communities, as well as hosting donors and prospective donors on campus. The Gift Officer explains CGU’s transformation and graduate education, develops one-to-one relationships, discusses giving opportunities, and makes direct gift requests. The position is accountable for individual portfolio and fundraising outcomes, including monthly targets, while contributing to team goals through a collaborative portfolio-management model.

The Gift Officer manages donor strategies and follow-up in Slate, conducts meetings independently, and coordinates joint meetings with university leaders, faculty, and advancement colleagues. The role is suited to a self-directed, adaptable professional who represents CGU with professionalism, judgment, and warmth. The position is full-time, exempt, primarily on-site in Claremont, California, with up to one day per week remote possible with supervisor approval and subject to operational needs. Regular hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; schedules may vary. Regular travel throughout Southern California is required. The position reports to the Assistant Vice President of Advancement and has no supervisory responsibility. It is not eligible for employer-sponsored work authorization or visa sponsorship.

Requirements

• Firsthand experience working in higher education and the ability to speak comfortably about graduate education and its value.
• A record of success in a highly external, goal-driven role with defined monthly targets and frequent one-to-one meetings that move relationships toward a specific outcome.
• Experience in advancement, admissions, alumni relations, or another relationship-driven role.
• Ability to connect with people of different ages, professional backgrounds, and life experiences.
• Entrepreneurial, self-directed approach to identifying opportunities, solving problems, and moving relationships forward.
• Ability to achieve individual goals while seeking input, sharing information, and contributing to team results.
• Strong communication and listening skills, ability to build trust, discuss financial commitments, and follow through with prospective donors.
• Experience working with senior leaders and sound judgment in representing CGU.
• Strong preparation, coordination, and organizational skills.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel regularly throughout Southern California.
• Experience with Slate or a comparable higher education constituent relationship management (CRM) system.
• Bachelor’s degree, or a combination of education and experience providing the required skills and abilities.
• At least five years of experience in fundraising, alumni relations, admissions, or a related area in higher education or a comparable organization.
• Successful completion of criminal background and DMV checks; employment is contingent on satisfactory background-check results.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Oral and written communication skills relevant to an academic setting.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio composed primarily of CGU alumni, advancing relationships toward deeper engagement and giving through purposeful visits and timely follow-up.
• Meet monthly targets for donor engagement, portfolio movement, solicitations, and fundraising results, contributing to the team’s overall goal.
• Generate support for the Transformation Fund and explain the importance of bridge funding during the University’s transformation.
• Conduct stewardship conversations, discuss giving opportunities, and make direct gift requests.
• Maintain accurate contact reports, strategies, ask amounts, prospect stages, and dated next actions in Slate.
• Build authentic one-to-one relationships with alumni across generations, professions, and career stages.
• Host donors and prospective donors on campus and create opportunities for engagement with CGU leadership, faculty, and students.
• Represent CGU professionally and discreetly at meetings and events.
• Participate in portfolio-management meetings with advancement leadership and fundraising colleagues to assess donor movement, set strategies, determine ask amounts, and define next steps.
• Lead donor meetings independently and coordinate joint meetings with the Office of the President, faculty, and advancement leadership, including scheduling, logistics, materials, and follow-up.
• Prepare meeting participants with donor background, objectives, proposed roles, discussion points, and expected next steps.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Group life insurance
• Retirement plan with an 8% employer contribution after one year of service; no employee match required
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• December winter closure, subject to institutional approval
• Tuition reimbursement for eligible employees and their dependents for approved coursework, subject to plan guidelines and institutional policies

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level