Development & Major Gifts Officer

Development & Major Gifts Officer (Project Management)

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Boston Architectural College is advancing a strategic vision that elevates student access, design excellence, and sustainability , powered by growing philanthropic investment. As we build momentum in the early phases of our comprehensive campaign , the College is expanding its programs in major gifts, annual giving, and planned giving , while strengthening the systems, strategies, and donor engagement practices that will sustain long-term philanthropic growth.

As our shop grows, this role offers an exciting opportunity to shape emerging development systems, build meaningful donor partnerships, and contribute to a mission-driven institution on the cusp of an ambitious next chapter.

The Boston Architectural College seeks a Development & Major Gifts Officer with 5+ years of progressive development experience and early success in major gifts to join a dynamic advancement team in a role that blends frontline fundraising and strategic development leadership (50/50). Reporting to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, this position offers a balanced portfolio of donor engagement and development operations
, with direct responsibility for cultivating and soliciting donors while strengthening the systems and practices that sustain the College's philanthropic growth. This is a full time, exempt position.

At the Boston Architectural College, the Development & Major Gifts Officer will:

• Collaborate across Advancement, the President's Office, and campus partners to align fundraising with institutional priorities.
• Partner with the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Director of Development on major gift strategy, donor engagement planning, and pipeline development
  .
• Contribute to the development of the infrastructure, program ming, and materials necessary for effective donor engagement, including proposals, briefings, stewardship materials, and campaign assets.
• Manage a portfolio and pipeline of major, campaign, and leadership annual gift prospects
  , with responsibility for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Lead and support prospect research efforts
  , including qualification, strategy development, and movement through the donor lifecycle.
• Coordinate and support VIP donor engagement and cultivation activities
  , including events, site visits, and special experiences.
• Maintain accurate and timely records in the CRM (such as Sales Force) and contribute to data integrity, reporting, and performance tracking
  .

• 5+ years of progressive experience in development or fundraising, preferably in higher education, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across teams and with senior leadership, volunteers, and external partners.
• Strong experience with donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship across both in-person and virtual environments.
• Ability to contribute to, develop, and evolve fundraising systems, processes, and infrastructure in a growing advancement operation
• Demonstrated early success in major gifts or leadership annual giving, including managing a donor portfolio and participating in solicitations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and people skills, with confidence in donor-facing communication.
• High level of organization, initiative, sound judgment, and follow-through in a fast-paced, relationship-driven environment.
• Experience with and strong skills in CRM management and donor research platforms, with the ability to work fluidly across Microsoft Office and Google Workspace (both cloud- and computer-based).
• Experience leading and curating VIP stewardship activities, fundraising engagements, and high-level donor events.
• Genuine interest in architectural education, access, sustainability, and design-driven impact is a plus.

Work Schedule and Location Requirements:

• This is a full-time hybrid position, coming on site 1 day a week minimum, with the ability to return to campus for events as needed.
• Ability to work weekends and evenings for events as needed.
• Must have mode of transportation to visit donors.
• Must be able to meet with donors virtually and in person regularly with the ability to travel regionally, and to occasionally travel nationally and globally.