Associate Major Gifts Officer

For Applicants Seeking Job Opportunities within the University
Internal:
Internal applicants will be considered within the first five (5) business days of the posting period.
External:
External applicants will be considered on the sixth (6) business day of the posting period.

Sponsorship

This position is not eligible for a visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Advancement supports the play a key role in strengthening relationships with alumni, donors, and friends of the Dugoni School, helping to secure philanthropic support to advance its mission of excellence in dental education, research, and patient care, and its purpose of helping people lead healthy lives.

University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the success of our valued students and employees. We prioritize policy and decision-making that demonstrates awareness of, and responsiveness to, the ways sociocultural forces related to race, gender, ability, sexuality, socioeconomic status, etc. impede or propel students, faculty, and staff.

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100–125 prospective donors with giving capacity of $25,000+.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift donors.
• Conduct at least 120 meaningful donor contacts annually with the aim of building strong relationships and soliciting support.
• Lead class reunion fundraising efforts, including reunion committee formation and volunteer management.
• Develop customized solicitation strategies for assigned prospects, working toward individual and collective fundraising goals.
• Participate in the planning and execution of donor engagement activities, including events, campus visits, and stewardship efforts.
• Partner with faculty, senior administrators, and advancement colleagues to develop compelling cases for support and proposals.
• Reporting & Data Management
  • Maintain accurate and timely records of donor interactions and activity in the university’s CRM database, RE NXT .
  • Prepare contact reports, gift documentation, and proposal materials as needed.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the Associate Dean, Development.

Knowledge of:

• General principles and practices of fundraising, donor cultivation, and stewardship.
• Major gifts fundraising strategies and donor lifecycle management.
• Communications strategies, proposal writing, and donor correspondence.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in fundraising, alumni relations, development, sales, or a related field.

• Position is full-time, eight hours per day, five days per week.
• Must be available for evening and weekend hours as needed.
• Position requires approximately 50% travel to off-site locations.

Knowledge of:

• Tax implications of charitable giving.
• Philanthropic giving trends and basic gift planning principles.

Ability to:

• Work with board members or volunteer committees.
• Engage with high-net-worth individuals.
• Comfort or experience with gift solicitation.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective donors effectively.
• Build and maintain strong, professional relationships with donors, volunteers, and internal stakeholders.
• Communicate persuasively, both verbally and in writing, with diverse audiences.
• Use data and prospect research tools to inform fundraising strategies.
• Manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Work both independently and collaboratively as part of a fundraising team.
• Maintain confidentiality and discretion and exercise sound judgment in sensitive donor interactions.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2–4 years of experience in fundraising, alumni relations, development, sales, or a related field.
• Prior work in a higher education, healthcare, or nonprofit setting.

• Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion in a university setting.
• Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practices and knowledge in their work.

The physical…