The Major Gift Officer will manage a portfolio of 250 high-capacity prospects rated $250,000 to $1,000,000 or more, including alumnae, parents, and friends of the College. The Major Gift Officer will be responsible for developing personalized strategies for engagement and solicitation that maximize each individual’s philanthropic capacity and support for the College’s funding priorities, as well as broad-based engagement, qualification, and cultivation strategies for pool segments as a whole. The Major Gift Officer will collaborate across the department to move prospects and donors through the pipeline and solicit gifts, working closely with frontline colleagues in The Wellesley Fund, Gift Planning, and the Principal Gifts team. In addition to managing an assigned portfolio of prospects, the Major Gift Officer will be responsible for a special assignment to a particular Friends, affinity group, or strategic priority, serving as the captain, both building support for and serving as liaison with campus partners and bringing back to the Department information and updates.
Position Responsibility:
Cultivate and solicit Wellesley alumnae, parents, and friends with the capacity to make gifts of $250,000 or more to support College priorities, employing appropriate strategies and tactics in prospect and portfolio management that meet donor interaction and dollar goals including traveling to meet with prospects and donors.
Collaborate with other frontline colleagues in the department to identify prospects for the principal gifts team, The Wellesley Fund, and Gift Planning, as well as those who might be principal gift prospects.
Create and execute strategies and plans for an assigned portfolio of alumnae, parents, and friends of the College, traveling nationally and internationally across multiple geographic regions
Participate in events on campus, as well as other national and international events as scheduled throughout the year at which alumnae, parents, and friends are present, such as Family & Friends Weekend, Commencement, and Reunion
Work with Donor Relations and Development Marketing to identify and create cultivation and stewardship collateral as needed.
Basic Qualifications:
5-7 years of front-line fundraising or comparable experience, including conducting solicitations and closing gifts, as well as having familiarity with reunion giving and/or alumni/ae development experience, preferably in an academic setting
Experience developing, closing, and stewarding prospects rated $250,000 or more and donors making gifts of 6 figures or more
Experience working with a wide-spectrum of volunteers and donors in an outward facing capacity
Skills and Abilities:
A commitment to the mission of Wellesley College—to provide an excellent liberal arts education to women who will make a difference in the world—and a desire to embrace Wellesley’s distinct traditions, values, and vision
Experience developing, closing, and stewarding prospects of high-net-worth
Experience working with a wide spectrum of volunteers and donors in an outward facing capacity
Excellent project management skills
An ability to complete complex tasks and multiple projects simultaneously, working both independently and as a member of a team
Superior written and oral communication skills, including presentation skills appropriate for engaging prospects and members of the campus community
Strategic thinking and analytical skills, including an ability to draw informed conclusions from data
An ability to adapt to changing circumstances
Comfort with ambiguity and an ability to pivot
An innovative and creative temperament
Excellent interpersonal skills, an ability to work collaboratively, and an orientation toward customer service
A commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, and discretion
The comfort with technology needed to communicate and share information confidently, as well as experience with a prospect database
Company Description:
Wellesley’s mission is to provide an excellent liberal arts education to women who will make a difference in the world. We advance our mission by working together as a community—faculty, students, staff, and alumnae.
Embark on a fulfilling career journey at Wellesley College, where we prioritize your well-being and professional growth. As a valued member of our team, you'll enjoy a comprehensive array of benefits and resources designed to enhance both your work-life balance and long-term success.
Competitive Compensation: Experience competitive wages ensuring your dedication is recognized and rewarded.
Exceptional Benefits Package: Access a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision and pre-tax saving benefits, life insurance, disability coverage, and more to safeguard your health and that of your loved ones.
Commuting and Transportation: Enjoy the convenience of free parking on our picturesque campus, easily accessible from major roadways. We are also accessible via the MBTA commuter rail.
Paid Time Off: Take advantage of paid vacations, personal days, sick time, and holidays to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life harmony.
Retirement Savings: Plan for the future with our retirement savings plan. Wellesley College contributes up to 10.5% towards your 403(b) plan for eligible employees
Work/Life and Wellness: A hybrid work environment for select positions (additional details will be provided during the interview process), caregiving support through Wellthy, legal plan insurance, pet insurance discount and a variety of other resources including retirement planning, and access to cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.
Professional Development: Enhance your skills and explore growth opportunities through continuing training and pathways for growth within our supportive environment.
Tuition and Education Benefits: Invest in your education with tuition benefits, and access resources to navigate student loan forgiveness, reinforcing our commitment to your ongoing learning.
Campus Privileges: Enjoy free use of our state-of-the-art athletic and fitness facilities with onsite fitness classes, Library resources, and seize opportunities to attend diverse campus events that contribute to a vibrant community.
Apply today and take your first step toward a rewarding career with Wellesley College – where your unique strengths and success are celebrated as part of our shared commitment to inclusivity!
About Wellesley College
Founded on the radical belief that educating women leads to progress for everyone. Wellesley College has long championed intellectual rigor, diverse perspectives, and impactful leadership. For nearly 150 years, Wellesley graduates have been a powerful force for good in the world—pioneering scientists, environmental revolutionaries, U.S. secretaries of state, civil rights activists, investment trailblazers, network news producers, and genre-defying artists. We know from experience that the boldest ideas and the most enduring solutions emerge from a variety of voices, backgrounds, and experiences.
Located on a stunning campus just 30 minutes outside of Boston, Wellesley College is one of the most academically challenging institutions of higher education in the country, and widely acknowledged as the top women’s college in the world.
The College is dedicated to ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, physical ability, or any other identity. Our student body reflects this commitment, with the Class of 2028 consisting of 18% who are the first in their families to attend a four-year inst...itution, 55% coming from multilingual homes, and 54% identifying as domestic students of color.
Wellesley actively seeks faculty and staff who share our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, we encourage candidates who resonate with these values to apply.
Our vibrant academic community values rigorous inquiry, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and practical application. Wellesley’s acclaimed faculty are at the forefront of their fields and students are consistently challenged to reach their full potential. While we are the ones who so often become the “firsts”—but we are even prouder of the “nexts” our community makes way for.
Wellesley College provides a robust array of benefits and resources for employees, including comprehensive health plans, wellness programs, continuing education, and competitive retirement plans. To learn more about the benefits of joining Wellesley, please visit wellesley.edu/hr/benefits.