Job Purpose: 
Responsible for managing relationships with and soliciting major gift prospects and donors on behalf of the University of Colorado Denver to maximize philanthropic support. Serves as a philanthropic advisor and builds relationships within the university to facilitate meaningful connections for donors.

Impact & Influence: 

In a centralized Advancement structure with a team of 18 professionals, the Major Gift Officer will grow the pipeline of major and principal gift prospects and donors by partnering with university administration, the Vice Chancellor of Advancement, Senior Director of Development, Deans, faculty, and other campus partners and collaborate with Donor Relations, Advancement Communications, Alumni Relations, Gift Planning, fellow major gift officers, and colleagues in central Advancement, including Research, Strategy, and Prospect Management. This position reports to the Senior Director of Development.

Key Responsibilities: 
Approximately 75% of time:

• Maximize the philanthropic potential of a portfolio of major gift prospects by soliciting and closing gifts that advance the mission of the university
• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of 100 – 120 prospects, including individuals, corporations, and foundations, for gifts of $25,000+
• Align donor interests with the strategic priorities of the university
• Analyze prospect research materials to target likely donors of $25,000+
• In addition to fundraising goals, the Major Gift Officer will be responsible for meeting specific process targets designed to assure a disciplined approach to building a successful major gift program, such as visits, proposals, and portfolio penetration

Approximately 25% of time:

Serve as an Advancement liaison to campus units:

• Creating and implementing fundraising strategies for programs and initiatives
• Developing familiarity with campus and unit fundraising priorities
• Working collaboratively with campus partners and Advancement colleagues to formulate plans for prospect engagement and identifying potential top donors not yet aware of or engaged with the university
• Facilitating interaction between major gift prospects and campus and system leaders and faculty
• Managing relationships with one or more volunteer members of the Chancellor’s Development Committee, engaging volunteer(s) in unit and campus fundraising activities

Perform other duties as assigned

Specialized Skills:

• Knowledge of major fundraising within a higher education or similar environment
• Superior relationship building skills
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills
• Ability to prioritize, negotiate, and influence effectively
• Effective interpersonal, strategic planning, administrative and organizational skills
• Solid judgement and sensitivity to others
• Ability to work independently and as part of a larger team
• Familiarity with financial planning, tax and charitable gift laws, and planned giving vehicles and methods
• Ability to effectively manage multiple assignments simultaneously

Other Variables:

Position is highly visible and requires weekends and evenings for attendance at special events, travel, dinners, athletic events, and entertainment.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Degrees required for this job: Bachelor’s Degree
• Years of experience required for this job: 3-5 years of experience in advancement, development, fundraising, non-profit field, and/or relatable experience

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience in Higher Education
• Experience and proficiency in Ellucian-Advance