Major Gifts Officer; Director Level

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven Development Director, Major Gifts to manage and grow a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, with a primary focus on New York City and the broader Tri-State region.

This frontline fundraising role will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individuals capable of making significant philanthropic commitments in support of WHOI’s mission. The Development Director will work closely with Advancement colleagues, institutional leadership, scientists, engineers, volunteers, and donors to build meaningful philanthropic partnerships that advance ocean science, technology innovation, education, and solutions for a changing planet.

WHOI is currently in the public phase of a historic $500 million comprehensive campaign, the largest fundraising campaign in the history of ocean science. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced major gifts fundraiser to help expand WHOI’s donor base, deepen engagement in a key philanthropic market, and secure transformational support for one of the world’s leading ocean research institutions.

The successful candidate will be based within driving distance of Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and will be expected to be onsite regularly. This role also requires travel to the New York/Tri-State region approximately twice per month for donor meetings, events, and related activities, with additional seasonal travel to Florida and other donor markets as needed.

• Manage and grow a portfolio of approximately 125-150 major gift prospects and donors, with a focus on New York City, Connecticut, New Jersey, the Hamptons, and select seasonal markets.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors capable of making five-, six-, and seven-figure philanthropic commitments.
• Develop and execute individualized donor strategies that align prospect interests with WHOI’s institutional priorities and campaign objectives.
• Meet or exceed annual goals for fundraising, donor visits, qualifications, solicitations, stewardship, and portfolio management.
• Identify and qualify new major gift prospects through proactive outreach, relationship building, volunteer engagement, and strategic prospect development.
• Prepare compelling donor communications, proposals, briefings, and stewardship materials for sophisticated philanthropic audiences.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of donor activity, strategy, and next steps within WHOI’s constituent relationship management system.

• Serve as a key Advancement representative for WHOI in the New York and broader Tri-State philanthropic communities.
• Serve as the primary development liaison to WHOI’s New York Chapter and its volunteer Steering Committee, building strong and productive relationships with volunteer leaders.
• Partner with senior leadership, scientists, engineers, and volunteers to design and execute effective cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Coordinate meaningful donor engagement opportunities, including individual meetings, small gatherings, institutional events, campaign activities, and mission-focused experiences.
• Represent WHOI at donor events, regional programs, institutional functions, and other Advancement activities.

• Collaborate across the Advancement team to ensure donor strategies are coordinated, thoughtful, and aligned with institutional priorities.
• Partner with Development Events, Advancement Operations, Donor Engagement, and Communications colleagues to support high-quality donor experiences.
• Use donor insights, prospect research, demographic data, and relationship intelligence to…