Major Gifts Officer​/Associate Major Gifts Officer

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening. Please see Special Instructions for more details.

A completed application will include a cover letter, a CV and a list of 3 professional references.

The Office of Advancement at Oberlin College & Conservatory seeks applications for the position of Major Gifts Officer / Associate Major Gifts Officer. This is a full-time, continuing, 12-month, Administrative and Professional Staff position reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Major and Planned Giving.

• Conduct discovery visits and collaborate closely with Major and Planned Giving, Parent & Family Giving, and other colleagues on hand-off strategies and major gift pipeline development.
• Focus fundraising efforts on securing gifts ranging from high-end annual giving to major gifts, with potential for principal-level opportunities. Drives individual giving through new donor acquisition, gift upgrades, meaningful engagement, and the development of a robust major gift pipeline.
• Develop an annual work plan and be guided by a set of metrics set annually including discovery visits, personal meetings, dollars raised, written strategies, and solicitations and proposals.
• Work closely with Advancement staff to create long-range strategic plans and short-term operational plans to strengthen the leadership annual giving and major gifts programs.
• Respond to donor inquiries and work closely with Donor Relations to steward donors.
• Create and submit contact reports in a timely manner detailing donor interactions.
• Assist the department in staffing various development and alumni events, such as Homecoming, Reunion Weekend, and donor cultivation and recognition events.
• Attend department-wide meetings and professional development opportunities to stay informed of best practices and strategies to engage, solicit and steward gifts.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned or directed.

• Bachelor’s degree and previous experience with personal solicitation and marketing, preferably within an academic or non-profit environment.
• Ability and willingness to travel nationally. Ability to transport self to local, off-site events.
• Superior interpersonal and networking skills with an ability to work productively and congenially with a diverse community and engage alumni and parents in fundraising efforts.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to persuasively communicate the importance of the liberal arts experience and the need for philanthropic support.
• Superior organizational and planning skills with an eye for detail. Ability to keep to a plan to achieve success.
• Strong ability to think both strategically and tactically to develop and execute goals.
• Proven relationship-building skills and the ability to interact effectively with diverse constituencies.

• MGO: 5+ years of progressive experience in major gift fundraising, relationship management, or related field, preferably in higher education.
• Associate MGO:
  At least 2 years of successful professional fundraising.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, a track record of one-to-one fundraising, and strong writing skills.

A generous compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate, including an excellent benefits package, tuition remission for eligible dependents and 35 days of paid PTO.

• Excellent benefits package
• Tuition remission for eligible dependents
• 35 days of paid PTO

A completed application will include a cover letter, a CV and a list of 3 professional references.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Oberlin College
173 West Lorain Street
Oberlin OH 44074

Phone:
Fax:

Hours:

M-F 8:00 a.m.

- 5:00 p.m.

human.resources