Major Gifts Officer

Position Overview:

Reporting to the Executive Director of Executive Director of Major and Principal Gifts, the Major Gifts Officer will be a key member of the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, responsible for securing major gifts in support of Merrimack College’s mission, strategic initiatives and campaign priorities. Managing a portfolio of approximately 150 prospective donors, the Major Gifts Officer will design and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies to secure gifts of $100,000 and above.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative, donor-focused professional with a passion for building meaningful relationships and a strong commitment to advancing Merrimack’s Augustinian Catholic mission by creating transformational opportunities for students.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage a portfolio of 150 major gift prospects, building strong relationships and soliciting major gifts.

• Develop and implement strategies for cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major gift prospects, successfully moving them through the qualification and cultivation processes to solicitation and stewardship.

• Meet defined goals for visits, asks and dollars raised.

• Utilize research, data analysis and other insights to inform the appropriate solicitation level and opportunity that is tailored to the prospects philanthropic goals.

• Collaborate with campus partners such as senior leadership, faculty and staff to support strong cultivation through stewardship strategies.

• Prepare written briefings, gift solicitation proposals and reports.

• Travel locally and nationally to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects and donors.

• Follow all institutional processes for documenting activities, meetings and interactions in the College’s CRM.

• Attend College events including events hosted by the Office of Development and Alumni Relations as well as athletic games and institutional events as needed.

• Contribute to a culture of philanthropy, transparency, and teamwork across the ODAR division.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Minimum of five years of direct frontline fundraising experience, with a focus on major and planned gifts.

• Proven ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies, including alumni, students, parents, and institutional partners.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust, establish credibility, and engage stakeholders at all levels—including senior leadership and executive-level alumni.

• Demonstrated success in independently developing and executing creative strategies and moving management plans to advance major gift prospects.

• Excellent verbal, written, and organizational skills.

• Collaborative, adaptable, and proactive—capable of thriving in a fast-paced, goal-driven environment.

• Technologically proficient, with strong skills in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access).

• Willingness and ability to travel and work evenings and weekends, as needed.

• Valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license with an insurable driving record, maintained throughout employment.

• Prior experience in higher education fundraising strongly preferred.

• Knowledge of the higher education landscape and enthusiasm for Merrimack’s mission and values.

Application Materials Should Include:

• Resume

• Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing experience relevant to the qualifications and including experience with, and commitment to, our Catholic Augustinian mission and our v