Major Gift Officer

Palm Beach Atlantic University•West Palm Beach, FL

About The Position

In support of the university’s mission and objectives, the Major Gifts Officer manages a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, focusing on cultivation and solicitation to secure support for the University. This role develops personalized strategies in collaboration with Advancement leadership, meeting activity metrics for donor meetings, and maintaining donor contact reports in the donor database. This position requires strong relationship-building skills, strategic thinking, and a focus on achieving fundraising objectives. Major Gifts Cultivation and Solicitation Manages a portfolio of approximately 100 major gift prospects and donors with a goal of developing and nurturing individual relationships for cultivation and solicitation. Actively participates in Prospect Moves Management meetings to strategize tailored approaches for each donor in collaboration with Advancement leadership and philanthropy consultants. Meets monthly activity metrics, including in-person (and as needed virtual) visits with prospects and donors for purposes of qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Reports on weekly activity through documented, enters written contact reports interactions into the donor database (Raiser’s Edge); circulates reports and statistics on activity metrics to the internal team weekly and discusses in detail at Prospect Moves Management meetings. Develops solicitation strategies for donors and prospects that align with the University’s strategic vision (campaign) and fundraising goals relative to annual fund and planned giving. Partners with the Advancement team to maximize opportunities within existing campaigns and appeals, ensuring donor solicitation strategies are consistent and integrated. Strategic Collaboration & Reporting Works closely with members of the Advancement department to develop and maintain a detailed plan to cultivate and solicit support to meet goals. Stays current on major programmatic initiatives and overall University strategic plans. Collaborates with the Advancement Communications and Special Events teams to strategize on cultivation events for major donors and prospects. Provides regular and detailed reports on prospect activities, donor interactions, and tracks progress toward fundraising goals. Event Engagement & Stewardship Attends and engages in high-level cultivation events, donor recognition programs, and fundraising events to strengthen relationships with current and potential major donors. Supports event planning efforts, ensuring key donors are included and engaged in university-sponsored events. Provides personalized stewardship to major donors through tailored communication, recognition, and engagement opportunities, ensuring that donors feel valued and informed about the impact of their contributions.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or related field required
3+ years proven experience cultivating, soliciting, and securing major donor gifts of $10,000+.
Customer Service Orientation – Keeps internal and/or external key stakeholder(s), students, parents, faculty, staff and community partners in mind at all times.
Professionalism – Displays a high level of professionalism, e.g. timeliness, reliability, communication, and work ethic.
Christ-first Faith – Provides spiritual support to community members, including students, on their Christian faith journey.
Adaptable/Flexibility – Ability to change or adjust to change.
Analytical Thinking & Decision Making – Identifies and understands trends and/or issues, connects data points through analysis and logical conclusions/actionable strategies.
Attention to Detail – Ability to efficiently and accurately focus on a specific task or number of tasks. Reviews details with a critical eye.
Business & Financial/Budget Acumen – Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of financial concepts, accounting, marketing and organizational functions.
Change Management – Ability to drive and implement change both internally and externally.
Confidentiality – Maintains the necessary confidentiality and discretion required for the position.
Continuous Improvement – Implement or brainstorm ways to optimize a process.
Creativity – Ability to think creatively and design creative solutions to problems.
Effective Communication – Expresses ideas and information in a clear and concise manner both verbally and in writing to convey clear, well-articulated messaging across a wide variety of audiences.
Establishes Trust – Gains the confidence of others by actions and words that promote being honest, forthcoming, and vulnerable.
Project and Time Management – Effective planning and priority setting. Ability to manage several complex projects simultaneously while working under pressure to meet deadlines.
Results Orientation & Accountability – Takes accountability and identifies, executes and drives actions to consistently achieve desired results.
Self-development – Grow one’s self-awareness, abilities, skills, and/or talent.
Strategic Mindset – Ability to step out of the everyday details, view the situation from above and provide an objective perspective
Teamwork & Collaboration – Creates a climate that fosters commitment to a common vision and shared values that promote cooperation and working together through trust and support of others both departmentally and cross-functionally.
Ability to travel as needed.
Ability to work non-routine hours regularly and during certain times of the year.
Ability to traverse campus and stairs.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred, or equivalent experience.
Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE), preferred.

Responsibilities

Manages a portfolio of approximately 100 major gift prospects and donors with a goal of developing and nurturing individual relationships for cultivation and solicitation.
Actively participates in Prospect Moves Management meetings to strategize tailored approaches for each donor in collaboration with Advancement leadership and philanthropy consultants.
Meets monthly activity metrics, including in-person (and as needed virtual) visits with prospects and donors for purposes of qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Reports on weekly activity through documented, enters written contact reports interactions into the donor database (Raiser’s Edge); circulates reports and statistics on activity metrics to the internal team weekly and discusses in detail at Prospect Moves Management meetings.
Develops solicitation strategies for donors and prospects that align with the University’s strategic vision (campaign) and fundraising goals relative to annual fund and planned giving.
Partners with the Advancement team to maximize opportunities within existing campaigns and appeals, ensuring donor solicitation strategies are consistent and integrated.
Works closely with members of the Advancement department to develop and maintain a detailed plan to cultivate and solicit support to meet goals.
Stays current on major programmatic initiatives and overall University strategic plans.
Collaborates with the Advancement Communications and Special Events teams to strategize on cultivation events for major donors and prospects.
Provides regular and detailed reports on prospect activities, donor interactions, and tracks progress toward fundraising goals.
Attends and engages in high-level cultivation events, donor recognition programs, and fundraising events to strengthen relationships with current and potential major donors.
Supports event planning efforts, ensuring key donors are included and engaged in university-sponsored events.
Provides personalized stewardship to major donors through tailored communication, recognition, and engagement opportunities, ensuring that donors feel valued and informed about the impact of their contributions.