Job Description:

The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for the strategic management of a portfolio of approximately 150-175 major gift prospects and donors aligned within a specific geographic territory(ies) who are capable of making gifts of $100,000 - $3,000,000 to the University. The current geography for this role is on the West Coast, but it may change over time. The Major Gifts Officer is expected to raise a minimum of $2M and, over time, upwards of $4M annually from their portfolio. 

The primary responsibilities of the Major Gifts Officer include managing effective relationships with alumni, parents, and friends, encompassing prospect and donor qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. An emphasis on developing solicitation strategies and closing major gifts aligned with University campaigns and major fundraising priorities is a requirement of the position, as measured against the attainment of personal and regional annual fundraising goals.  

Other responsibilities include effective collaboration and partnership with colleagues, peers, and fundraising unit managers within a diverse number and variety of fundraising programs; working with regional volunteers, as needed; planning and managing regional events; staffing University administrators and faculty on development visits with prospects and donors; and recording activities, contacts, proposals, and strategic plans in the donor database.

This position requires in-depth knowledge of the University, its initiatives, and its internal and external constituents to serve as a liaison between and representative of the Division of Advancement and Brown’s alumni, parents, and friends. The Major Gifts Officer regularly interacts with a diverse range of University colleagues, including those in Advancement leadership, Alumni Relations, Development, various academic departments, and faculty members, among others.

This position manages a portfolio of prospects on the West Coast. The Officer can be located in either Providence, RI or California near a major metropolitan area. 

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of relevant experience (development, sales, customer relations, etc.) or equivalent combination of education and experience.  

• Experience in a higher education or non-profit setting preferred; direct experience with fundraising, volunteer management, and knowledge of Brown University is highly desired. 

Job Competencies

• Proven ability to solicit and close philanthropic gifts on the $100,000+ level.

• Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to initiate, collaborate, implement, monitor, evaluate, and advance strategic plans that support the activities of the program and contribute to the overall goals and objectives of Advancement and the fundraising enterprise.

• Superior interpersonal skills with proven ability to successfully interact and collaborate with varied constituencies in a professional manner, exhibiting excellent written and oral communication skills, team-building skills, and demonstrating tact, poise, and diplomacy while working with a wide variety of personalities.  An ability and comfort in meeting and interacting with individuals of considerable social status and affluence is required. 

• Ability to apply good judgment and proven responsible decision-making skills; tact and discretion are required to deal with highly confidential alumni, parent, student, family, donor and prospect information.

• Must be a detail-oriented, self-starter with a demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple projects and priorities to meet aggressive timelines and challenging deadlines. 

• Working knowledge of email and calendars, the Windows environment, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Suite, and other software such as Adobe Acrobat, donor databases, etc. 

• Must be able to work in hybrid and remote environments.

• Must be able and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends.

• Must be able and willing to travel frequently throughout the United States to attend relevant programs and events and to meet with current and prospective donors and leadership volunteers to further cultivation and solicitation strategies. 

• Decisiveness, trustworthiness, discretion, and creativity are daily requirements of this position.

• Commitment to working in a team environment is essential.

Background Check: All offers of employment are contingent upon a successful criminal background check and education verification satisfactory to Brown.

Additional Information: Please submit a resume and cover letter when applying for this position.

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Benefits of Working at Brown:

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Submission Guidelines:

The designated Position Work Location for each position determines the approved modality of work. Positions are classified based on the operational and business needs of the department and may be designated as on-site, hybrid, or remote.

Employees with a designated position work location as remote must reside and perform their work in a state where Brown University is registered to do business. Brown University is a registered employer in the following states: Rhode Island, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Washington, D.C.

Please note that to be considered for a staff position at Brown University, you must submit a separate application for each position you wish to be considered for. Applications are reviewed only for the specific position to which they are submitted and are not automatically considered for future openings.  

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact [email protected].

Brown is an E-Verify Employer.

EEO Statement:

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.