Major Gift Officer

The Major Gift Officer is responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors capable of making annual gifts of $25,000 or more. This role develops and implements strategies to build a sustainable pipeline of major donors and ensures long-term philanthropic support for Carnegie Museums. This position collaborates with the other members of the Individual Giving team, as well as Directors of Development at each respective museum. QUALIFICATIONS: EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required; master’s degree desirable. Seven years of related experience in individual fundraising with strong emphasis on major gift cultivation and solicitation, or related experience, is required. Familiarity with the Pittsburgh funding community a plus. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Ability to collaborate effectively and develop positive relationships with a diverse group of colleagues, donors, prospects, and volunteers. Exceptional verbal and written communications skills; strict attention to detail; commitment to exemplary customer service; diplomacy and persuasive abilities in dealing with donors and colleagues alike. Must be creative and a self-starter with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple assignments at once, and work effectively under deadlines and the pressures of a fast-paced work environment. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience with CRM systems required. Flexible schedule – early morning, late evening, and weekend hours on occasion. Demonstrated success in securing major gifts. Results-oriented team player with optimistic attitude who takes initiative as an independent worker. Local travel is approximately 25% of each workweek and requires having a driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle. National travel is approximately 10% of a year and requires traveling by airplane. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work is primarily sedentary in nature, no special demands are required. Candidates will be considered qualified if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITIES: Develop and execute an annual portfolio focused on securing funds for the organization by managing a group of assigned, qualified donors (portfolio) and ensuring donor retention. Create individual goals for each person in portfolio based on the donor’s history of giving and the Museums’ knowledge of that donor’s potential. Focus on Major Gifts of $25,000 and greater. Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 households, with responsibility for qualification, cultivation, solicitation, retention, and upgrading of giving. Make direct, face-to-face solicitations (local and national). Design and implement innovative strategies to identify, cultivate and solicit major donors. Effectively prepare high-quality meeting materials, liaise with the writing team on stewardship reports and major gift solicitations/proposals. Manage communication and donor interactions with Senior Director of Individual Giving. Work closely with the Individual Giving team to develop quarterly strategies and multi-stage plans for meeting goals. Review annual goals for number of personal visits, number of solicitations, and projected dollars raised. Work with Prospect Management and Research team, as well as Director of Annual Giving to identify prospects for acquisition and pipeline development. In addition to increasing and preserving unrestricted annual fund support through annual fund and gift recognition societies, help Carnegie Museums meet other fundraising goals by having a thorough understanding of current capital and programs fundraising priorities, needs for endowments, and museum-specific Giving Societies. Utilize CRM software to track and manage donor/prospect portfolio and monitor individual results toward fundraising goals; adhere to timely r…