Major Gift Officer

ST THOMAS UNIVERSITY INC•Miami Gardens, FL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Major Gift Officer identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards a portfolio of major gift prospects in support of St. Thomas University’s fundraising priorities. The role manages relationships with individuals, families, foundations, and other constituents capable of making major gifts, and is accountable for defined annual fundraising goals. Through strategic engagement, personalized communication, and face-to-face visits, the Major Gift Officer seeks outright, multi-year, and planned gifts. As part of the Philanthropy team in the Office of Philanthropy, the position advances comprehensive campaign priorities, endowments, scholarships, academic programs, athletics, and capital initiatives. The Major Gift Officer collaborates with the Vice President of Philanthropy, deans, faculty, and volunteer leadership on prospect identification, cultivation, and solicitation, and provides reporting, strategy development, and stewardship to support continued donor engagement and philanthropic growth.

Requirements

Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
Strategic and results-oriented mindset.
Ability to manage multiple prospects and priorities simultaneously.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to conduct effective donor visits and solicitations.
Proficiency with CRM systems; Raiser’s Edge/NXT preferred.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Professional, collaborative, and donor-centered approach.
Ability to create meaningful donor experiences, build trust, and advance long-term philanthropic partnerships.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Raiser’s Edge/NXT is preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage an assigned portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, developing and executing individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
Conduct face-to-face visits and virtual meetings to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, focusing on gifts at the major gift level and above.
Develop and present written proposals, gift agreements, and funding priorities aligned with donor interests and institutional needs.
Collaborate with the Vice President of Philanthropy on solicitation strategies and donor engagement opportunities.
Identify and qualify new major gift prospects through referrals, research, annual fund upgrades, and discovery visits.
Document donor interactions, strategies, proposals, and moves management activity accurately and promptly in Raiser’s Edge/NXT.
Provide ongoing donor stewardship, including impact reporting, recognition, and meaningful engagement opportunities.
Participate in campaign planning, leadership gift strategies, and special initiatives, including endowments, capital projects, and named giving opportunities.
Work with Annual Fund, Alumni Engagement, Events, and Advancement Operations to support pipeline development and donor progression.
Assist in developing major gift fundraising goals, forecasts, and performance reports.
Pursue appropriate training to maintain and enhance professional fundraising skills, particularly in major gift solicitation, donor strategy, and relationship management.
Perform other duties as assigned.