Major Gift Officer

Major Gift Officer

Department Planned Giving & Major Gifts

Job Code A31301

Job category Full Time Staff

Terms and Hours Full Time Exempt

Salary Range Starting salary at $80,000; commensurate with experience and portfolio scope

Job Summary

The University of Portland is an independently governed Catholic university guided by the Congregation of Holy Cross, committed to educating the whole person through excellence in teaching and learning, faith and formation, and service and leadership. The University is seeking an experienced fundraiser to advance the mission during a pivotal comprehensive campaign—connecting donors to opportunities that expand access to education, strengthen academic excellence, and extend UP’s impact. The Major Gift Officer will partner with inspiring academic and institutional leaders that best align with the candidate’s skills, values and fundraising approach to secure philanthropic support that makes a tangible difference in students’ lives and the broader community.

The Major Gift Officer is responsible for securing significant philanthropic support by managing a portfolio of high‑capacity donors and prospects. This role collaborates closely with the Assistant Vice President of Advancement to execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies aligned with campaign priorities and broader institutional goals. Working independently and in close partnership with academic leaders, campus partners and advancement leadership, the Major Gift Officer builds long‑term donor relationships that result in sustained, impactful giving. This role reports directly to the Assistant Vice President of Advancement.

Core Duties

• Partner with the Associate Vice President for Advancement and University Relations leadership to design and execute an integrated major gifts strategy for an academic unit, aligned with institutional and campaign priorities.
• Serve as the primary strategic fundraising partner to an Academic Dean, leading donor strategy and dean engagement by setting priorities, preparing high‑level briefings and proposals, and planning and staffing joint donor meetings in support of six‑ and seven‑figure solicitations.
• Generate new leads and qualify gift prospects and planned gifts from research, prospect tracking tools, donor base, faculty networks and fundraising colleagues.
• Maintain a rigorous activity standard of 12–15 substantive personal visits per month with alumni, donors, and prospects, focused on securing major gifts and leadership‑level annual commitments.
• Execute “moves” system for a dedicated group of constituents, including donors, alumni, parents, and friends.
• Regularly evaluate and assess progress toward goals, and report on results.
• When appropriate, solicit leadership annual gifts.
• Adhere to stewardship of existing and new gifts.
• Utilize and track donor/prospect information within the current data management system.
• Create targeted donor proposals in coordin