Major Gifts Officer

SUMMARY

Memphis University School (MUS) is seeking a Major Gifts Officer to join its Advancement team. The Major Gifts Officer will play an essential role in growing philanthropy at the school. MUS seeks a proven fundraiser who can both work independently to achieve ambitious goals and collaborate effectively with the Advancement team to ensure success across all areas of development.

Memphis University School is a college-preparatory school dedicated to academic excellence, cultivation of service and leadership, and the development of well-rounded young men of strong moral character, consistent with the school’s Christian tradition.

• Enthusiastically embrace the MUS mission and serve as an effective and authentic storyteller of the school’s mission, vision, and priorities.
• Manage an assigned portfolio of 100-150 major gift prospects, including parents, alumni, parents of alumni, and grandparents.
• Partner with the Headmaster, Trustees, and Advancement colleagues to align donor strategies with institutional priorities.
• Proactively cultivate, solicit, and steward major and planned gift donors, with an emphasis on commitments of $25,000-$500,000-plus. Solicit a minimum of 30 gifts of $25,000 or more each year.
• Meet annual fundraising goals through outright, planned, and non-cash gifts.
• Develop tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies in partnership with the Advancement team.
• Draft compelling proposals, briefings, reports, and correspondence to support donor engagement and solicitations.
• Implement effective stewardship plans to strengthen long-term donor relationships and encourage ongoing philanthropic support.
• Recruit, train, and guide volunteers to play an active role in major gift fundraising and campaign initiatives.
• Collaborate with colleagues across annual giving, alumni relations, and advancement services to enhance donor pipeline development and identify leadership-level annual giving prospects.
• Compose and send personalized gift recognition correspondence in a timely manner.
• Make travel arrangements as necessary, working within assigned budgets and submitting documentation for all travel expenses in a timely manner.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of donor strategies, contacts, and progress in the MUS advancement database.
• Represent MUS at key events and school activities, cultivating and engaging prospects while remaining current on institutional initiatives. Be visible in daily school life.
• Monitor and report on fundraising progress, future campaign plans, and stewardship outcomes to ensure accountability and transparency.
• Demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and sensitivity in all donor interactions.

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of five years of progressive responsibility in development or a related (sales) field.
• A documented record of successful major gift fundraising is preferred.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with prospects and donors.
• Ability to work effectively in a team setting.
• Highly effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Familiarity with fundraising databases (Raiser’s Edge preferred) and the Microsoft Office Suite.

• A cover letter explaining interest in Memphis University School and why the applicant is qualified for the position.
• A current resume.

Memphis University School is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment-related decisions based on job-related qualifications, merit, and the school’s operational needs. MUS prohibits unlawful discrimination against employees and applicants for employment on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, training, disciplinary action, and separation from employment.

Employment at Memphis University School is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, drug-screening, and reference checks.