Major Gift Officer

Job Description Summary

The Major Gift Officer (MGO) will partner with faculty and the Advancement team to grow the culture of philanthropy with alumni  MGO’s portfolio will concentrate on Undergraduate and graduate alumni. This position is based in Worcester, MA. WPI is seeking an entrepreneurial major gift officer who will utilize proven practices and new ideas to engage and re‑engage with alumni as they take the major gift program to new heights.

Major Gift Officer

Worcester

Leadership Giving

Worcester Polytechnic Institute - WPI

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Leadership Giving, the MGO will partner closely with faculty, Institute leaders, and Advancement colleagues to cultivate donor relationships, engage alumni, and increase overall financial support at this critical time in WPI’s history. The ideal candidate will have a passion for applying their donor‑centered individual giving fundraising skills to raise funds for an educational institution committed to the values of respect, community, inclusion, innovation, and achievement.

• Manage a portfolio of 100‑150 major gift prospects and donors, meeting expectations for annually articulated solicitation and revenue goals. Effectively and efficiently move prospects through the donor pipeline to successfully close major gifts. Create opportunities to conduct a minimum of 100 substantive interactions annually, involving institutional leadership, faculty, and high‑level volunteers, when appropriate, to efficiently cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership gift prospects and donors.
• Partner with colleagues across the Institute to create comprehensive solicitation strategies that support mutually shared goals and lead to the identification of new high‑level prospects. Collaborate with Donor Relations and Communications colleagues to ensure that managed prospects are receiving appropriate levels of stewardship and engagement, and to prepare proposals and gift agreements.
• Develop and articulate a deep knowledge of WPI’s culture and history, its fundraising priorities, academic, extra‑curricular, and athletic programs.
• Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor.

• Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS)
• 1‑3 years of frontline leadership or major gift fundraising
• Experience with— and proficiency in— donor database software, and an intermediate command of Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a proven track record of successful portfolio management and gift closures.

Salary Grade 9: $82,600 – $95,000 per year (depending on experience)

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.

Compensation at WPI

United States of America (Exempt)

WPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability. It seeks individuals from all backgrounds and experiences who will contribute to a culture of creativity, collaboration, inclusion, problem solving, innovation, high performance, and change making. It is committed to maintaining a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination.