Major Gift Officer

Carnegie Museums•Pittsburgh, PA

19h

About The Position

The Major Gift Officer identifies, qualifies, cultivates, and solicits donors capable of making annual gifts of $25,000 or more. The role develops and implements strategies to build a sustainable pipeline of major donors and support long-term philanthropy for Carnegie Museums. It collaborates with the Individual Giving team and the Directors of Development at each museum. The officer manages a portfolio of approximately 150 households, setting donor-specific goals and handling qualification, cultivation, solicitation, retention, and upgrades. The role includes direct face-to-face solicitations, preparation of meeting materials and proposals, donor stewardship, CRM tracking, and participation in museum events and meetings. Local travel is approximately 25% of each workweek, and national travel is approximately 10% of the year. The schedule may include occasional early mornings, late evenings, and weekends. This is a full-time position. The posting states that the role is eligible for Carnegie Museums' benefits but does not enumerate them. Work is primarily sedentary, with no special physical demands. Required Pennsylvania Act 153 clearances, or proof of application, are conditions of employment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Seven years of related individual-fundraising experience, with a strong emphasis on major-gift cultivation and solicitation, or related experience.
Demonstrated success in securing major gifts.
Ability to collaborate and build positive relationships with diverse colleagues, donors, prospects, and volunteers.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, attention to detail, customer-service commitment, diplomacy, and persuasive ability.
Creativity, self-motivation, and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments under deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience with CRM systems.
Ability to work occasional early mornings, late evenings, and weekends.
Driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle for local travel; ability to travel nationally by airplane.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
Required Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check, and FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background Check, or proof of application, beginning employment and as a condition of continued employment.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Familiarity with the Pittsburgh funding community.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute an annual portfolio plan to secure funds and retain donors.
Set individual giving goals based on each donor’s giving history and the Museums’ assessment of their potential.
Focus on major gifts of $25,000 or more and manage a portfolio of approximately 150 households through qualification, cultivation, solicitation, retention, and upgrading.
Make local and national face-to-face solicitations; design and implement strategies to identify, cultivate, and solicit major donors.
Prepare meeting materials and coordinate with the writing team on stewardship reports and major-gift solicitations and proposals.
Manage donor communications and interactions with the Senior Director of Individual Giving.
Work with the Individual Giving team to develop quarterly strategies and multi-stage plans, and review goals for visits, solicitations, and projected fundraising.
Partner with Prospect Management and Research and the Director of Annual Giving to identify acquisition prospects and develop the pipeline.
Support annual fund and gift-recognition-society giving, and understand capital and program fundraising priorities, endowment needs, and museum-specific giving societies.
Use CRM software to track donors and prospects, monitor fundraising results, and report promptly to maintain accurate pipeline and year-end forecasts.
Represent Development and Carnegie Museums at assigned functions and meetings and strengthen relationships with donors, members, friends, families, and other constituencies.
Maintain professional knowledge and contacts through reading, training, professional development, and relevant memberships.
Protect donor and project confidentiality and maintain professional communications.
Build cordial, professional working relationships with staff and volunteers to support Development and museum goals.
Attend museum events and assist with planning and strategy as needed.
Perform other relevant duties as assigned by a supervisor or designee.