Major Gift Officer

Amherst•Amherst, MA

1d•$95,000 - $112,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Amherst College seeks a full-time, year-round Major Gift Officer (MGO), a strategic frontline fundraiser responsible for managing a dynamic portfolio of primarily alumni prospects. The MGO builds philanthropic relationships and develops individualized, data-informed donor strategies that align donor interests with institutional needs, with the aim of securing transformational six- and seven-figure commitments. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Development, the MGO works with colleagues across Advancement and the wider College community, including faculty, academic departments, senior administrators, program leaders, and alumni. The role supports priorities such as scholarships, faculty support, academic innovation, and campus life. Success requires emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, intellectual curiosity, persuasive communication, strong relationship management, and the ability to thrive in a metrics-driven environment while articulating the value of residential liberal arts education. The position involves frequent travel and virtual donor meetings. Advancement staff are also expected to participate occasionally in evening and weekend events, including Reunion and Homecoming. A hybrid work arrangement is available, with regular on-campus presence required for meetings, division events, relationship building, and institutional priorities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent work experience in lieu of the minimum education and related experience.
Five to seven years of related experience.
Valid driver’s license and successful completion of the Five College Risk Management driver credentialing program.
Successful completion of required reference and background checks.
Acceptable criminal offender records information (CORI) check.
Ability to develop and implement individualized donor strategies to secure six- and seven-figure commitments.
Ability to build trust-based donor relationships through frequent travel and virtual meetings and maintain a high volume of substantive contacts and solicitations.
Ability to advocate for the liberal arts and articulate compelling cases for support.
Ability to collaborate with Advancement colleagues and campus stakeholders on fundraising initiatives.
Ability to use data, prospect intelligence, and CRM tools to monitor portfolio performance, forecast revenue, and support planning and campaign execution.
Ability to plan and execute targeted cultivation and stewardship events.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of 150–175 diverse Amherst alumni donors and prospects, using a disciplined, data-informed approach to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts.
Develop and implement individualized donor strategies based on philanthropic capacity and personal interests to secure six- and seven-figure commitments for institutional priorities.
Travel frequently and conduct virtual meetings to build trust-based donor relationships across key geographic regions, maintaining a high volume of substantive contacts and solicitations annually.
Advocate persuasively for the liberal arts and articulate cases for support aligned with the College’s mission, vision, and funding needs.
Partner with Advancement colleagues and campus stakeholders to lead fundraising initiatives for academic or administrative areas, alumni groups, faculty engagement, and cross-divisional partnerships.
Use data, prospect intelligence, and CRM tools to monitor portfolio performance, forecast revenue, and contribute to strategic planning and campaign execution.
Plan and execute in-person and virtual cultivation and stewardship events aligned with donor strategies and institutional priorities.
Participate occasionally in evening and weekend College events, including Reunion and Homecoming.