Major Gifts Officer

Arizona Science Center • Phoenix, AZ

13d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) plays a pivotal role in the success of Arizona Science Center (ASC). The primary focus of this position is to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift donor prospects for both ASC education programs and the ongoing capital campaign. This individual serves as a key member of the ASC’s development team and is accountable for an assigned share of the Arizona Science Center’s general operating and capital campaign goals.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience in major gifts fundraising, preferably within a capital campaign
• Proven track record of securing gifts of six and seven figure gifts
• Possess a strong understanding of planned giving vehicles and complex gift structures, with the ability to navigate sophisticated philanthropic conversations involving estates, trusts, securities, and other charitable assets
• Strategic thinker with strong organizational and analytical abilities
• Familiarity with fundraising standards and campaign best practices
• Ability to travel locally and occasionally work evenings/weekends
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, analytic, written, computer and verbal communication skills a must.
• Stellar written and communication skills are a must, as the individual who fills this position must compose original narratives quickly and accurately and make solicitation presentations to donors.
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and interact with staff, trustees, donors, visitors and the general public both in person and by phone.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to develop strategies of mutual benefit to both the Science Center and donors.

Nice To Haves

• Tessitura or related database knowledge and experience highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 50 - 100 major gift prospects with capacity to give $25,000+
• Work with CEO and SVP, Development, to tailor cultivation strategies and solicitation plans for each prospect
• Conduct face-to-face meetings, donor events, and campaign briefings to deepen engagement
• Collaborate with leadership, board members, and campaign committee members to leverage additional prospects
• Partner with external consultants to align donor outreach with campaign phases and priorities
• Contribute to the development of campaign materials, proposals, and impact reports
• Track and report on donor activity, pipeline progress, and revenue forecasts
• Ensure timely and meaningful stewardship of all major gifts
• Coordinate recognition opportunities, naming rights, and donor impact communications
• Maintain accurate records in the CRM/database and uphold donor confidentiality
• Work closely with CEO, SVP, Development, communications, finance, and program teams to align messaging and impact
• Support campaign events, site visits, and donor engagement experiences
• Participate in regular strategy sessions and campaign progress reviews

Benefits

• 21 paid days off annually including holidays, birthdays, and vacation days
• 10 days of accrued sick time
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Life and Long-Term Disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Family membership to Arizona Science Center and 600+ Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)
• Admission Exchange Program - Year-round complimentary admission for the employee and one guest to visit the Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix Art Museum, Heard Museum, Arizona Museum of Natural History, and more.

What This Job Offers

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