Job Description

Our Mission

We in Boston University Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) harness the power of philanthropy to make an excellent education accessible and welcoming to all, and to advance BU’s global leadership in research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice. To support our work, we have built—and are continuing to build—an outstanding team of dynamic, mission-driven advancement professionals who constantly strive to create an environment where everyone belongs. Where it’s not just about a job, but a career and a community.

Now, our Major Gifts team is looking for a Senior Major Gift Officer who will collaborate with colleagues across Advancement and the University—including Major Gifts, Special Initiatives, Principal Gifts, Athletics, Dean of Students Office, University Centers and Schools and Colleges to build community, secure major and principal gifts, and develop a pipeline of major and principal gift donors.

Major Gifts at Boston University

The Major Gifts (MG) team is a regionally based team that covers six regions domestically and is not affiliated with any particular school or college. The MG team focuses on the discovery, qualification, solicitation, and close of major gifts ($100K+).

Senior Major Gift Officer

In partnership with the Director, the SMGO will set annual and long-term goals for regional and portfolio growth aligned with University and Presidential priorities. The SMGO will engage high-level prospects and volunteers to cultivate the parent community and growth the Parents Leadership Council (PLC) domestically. This position collaborates with faculty and staff to understand institutional priorities and demonstrate how philanthropic support impacts students and the BU community.

The SMGO will maintain strong working relationships across Advancement and the greater BU community, and leverage data to identify, qualify, and solicit major and principal gifts. This role will require domestic travel to major and secondary markets.

This role requires a deep understanding of donor engagement, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, as well as experience working with faculty, senior leadership, and strategic campus partners. The SMGO will also manage special projects as assigned by the Director of Parent and Family Philanthropy.

Required Skills

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in fundraising or related fields. 
• Bachelor’s degree required. 
• Proven track record of securing five and six-figure gifts.
• Experience in building and managing a major gift portfolio.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Excellent judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize competing tasks.
• Exceptional interpersonal, analytical, and project management skills. 
• Strength in a collaborative approach to the work.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively. 
• Ability to travel monthly, including nights and weekends. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and CRM database management.

But that’s not all we’re looking for; we want someone who embodies our values:

• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect , because we value every member’s contributions and know that leadership can come from anywhere.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion , and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.
• Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.
• Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.
• Continuous growth and improvement , both as individuals and as a team.
• Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.

If this resonates with you and you want to help us in our ambitious next campaign—and maybe do some of your best work as an advancement professional— we encourage you to apply. If you are hesitant to apply because you have not previously performed every responsibility listed in the description, but you do possess transferable skills and the defined qualifications, we still want to hear from you and welcome your application as well.

To learn more about Development & Alumni Relations at Boston University, and other job opportunities, please stop by the DAR Talent website: .

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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