Major Gifts Officer

Suffolk University is one of the area’s leading universities and the only one situated in the center of Boston. Founded in 1906, the University is comprised of three esteemed schools—the College of Arts and Sciences, Suffolk University Law School, and the Sawyer Business School.

Suffolk’s 86,000 alumni are professionally successful and civically engaged, and they reside in Massachusetts, across the United States, and in over 150 countries. Suffolk is beginning an exciting new era and building a comprehensive Advancement program to support the University and its plans for the future.

Suffolk seeks qualified candidates for fundraising positions as Major Gift Officers. These fundraising officers will have direct responsibility for building a major gift program encompassing all of Suffolk’s programs and schools. As members of a growing and comprehensive fundraising program under the direction of the Senior Vice President for Advancement, the Major Gift Officers and other fundraisers and alumni engagement professionals in Advancement will foster a culture of philanthropy to achieve new levels of fundraising success.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

100% Personal Fundraising:

1. Cultivate and solicit philanthropic gifts within a range of $50,000 to $1,000,000 to fund the short- and long-term goals established in the Strategic Plan of the University. Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward alumni, parents and friends who possess the capacity of making commitments of $50,000 or more in support of Advancement’s overall short-term and long-term financial goals.
2. Establish specific individual fundraising plans, develop activity and visit goals and supporting documentation, and maintain a portfolio of prospects as part of a coordinated major gift program. Major Gift Officers will make 150 in-person visits per year.
3. Engage prospects and donors to support Suffolk and cultivate long-term philanthropic partnerships with them and the University, while working closely with volunteers, deans, faculty, administration, trustees and the president.
4. Collaborate with Advancement colleagues in major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation giving, donor relations, advancement communications, prospect research, and alumni engagement to develop and maintain a coordinated approach in support of overall departmental and University-wide goals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor’s degree, 3 to 5 years of relevant experience required and higher-ed fundraising experience or relevant sales experience preferred.
2. Successful candidates will have a keen and authentic interest in making a significant impact at Suffolk in support of the University’s mission through fundraising.
3. Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and a strong commitment to help developing and implementing the University’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies and goals.
4. In addition to candidates with demonstrated success soliciting major gifts and several years’ experience in the field of Advancement, candidates with alternative backgrounds in higher education, law or business with entrepreneurial skills and an aptitude for fundraising will also be considered.
5. The successful candidate will be able to present compelling and relevant cases for support through intellectual engagement and supported by excellent oral and written communication skills.
6. Knowledge of Microsoft Office preferred.
7. Ability to use a philanthropic and alumni relations database, such as Raiser’s Edge NXT, required.
8. Ability to travel and work weekends and evenings, as assigned.
9. Willingness to perform other duties, as assigned.