Senior Major Gifts Officer

Job Description

Job Description

SUMMARY

The Senior Major Gifts Officer is a frontline fundraising professional responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects capable of making gifts of $25,000 and above. Working in close partnership with the Chief Business and Resource Development Officer, this role helps drive annual major gifts revenue goals while advancing a donor-centered culture of philanthropy across the organization. This position offers the opportunity to contribute strategically to organizational growth and serve as a key leader within the Community Engagement Department.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Portfolio Management

Manage an active portfolio of 100–150 major gift donors and prospects, developing and executing individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies for each relationship.

• Conduct 10–15 meaningful donor meetings each month, including in-person, virtual, and event-based interactions, with the goal of securing gifts in the $25,000–$500,000 range.

• Identify new prospects through research, referrals, board engagement, and community relationships.

• Conduct and synthesize donor research to inform cultivation strategies, including wealth screening, philanthropic history, and connections to the mission; maintain thorough, up-to-date prospect profiles in the CRM.

Fundraising Strategy

• Partner with the Chief Business and Resource Development Officer to set and meet annual major gifts revenue goals.

• Participate in moves management processes and maintain timely, accurate records in the CRM/donor database.

• Collaborate with development operations staff to ensure accurate donor tracking and reporting.

Event Cultivation & Follow-Up

• Prepare comprehensive pre-event attendee reports for each organizational event, including donor background, giving history, relationship notes, and cultivation status, to equip staff and leadership for meaningful engagement.

• Develop and distribute board member assignments prior to events, identifying specific donors and prospects for board members to connect with and providing talking points and cultivation goals for each interaction.

• Coordinate structured post-event follow-up, including debriefs with staff and board members, timely personalized outreach to attendees, and documentation of new contacts, notes, and next steps in the CRM.

Donor Experience & Stewardship

• Create meaningful, personalized stewardship touchpoints for portfolio donors to deepen engagement and retention.

• Work closely with the marketing and communications team on impact reporting and donor-facing materials.

• Represent the organization at community events, donor gatherings, and Jewish communal settings.

Leadership & Organizational Contribution

• Serve as a thought partner to the Chief Business and Resource Development Officer on development strategy and organizational growth.

• Provide informal mentorship to junior staff and model best practices in frontline fundraising.

• Participate in strategic philanthropic planning and contribute to a culture of philanthropy across the organization.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor.

REQUIREMENTS

• 5–8+ years of progressive fundraising experience with a demonstrated track record of closing major gifts of $25,000 or more.

• Experience managing a personal donor portfolio with measurable results.

• Strong relationship-building skills and a donor-centered approach.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Proficiency with CRM/donor database systems (DonorPerfect, Salesforce, or similar).

• Ability to work some evenings and weekends for donor events.

• Understanding of, commitment to, and ability to articulate the organization's mission and values.

• Experience in Jewish communal organizations or mission-aligned nonprofits preferred.

• Familiarity with Philadelphia's philanthropic and Jewish community landscape preferred.

• Experience with planned giving or campaign fundraising preferred.

COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrates a results-oriented, relationship-first approach to major gifts fundraising.

• Strong organizational and portfolio management skills; able to balance multiple donor relationships simultaneously.

• Embraces a culture of philanthropy and inspires it in colleagues and partners.

• Proven ability to think strategically and execute at a high level in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

• Works collaboratively across departments to align donor engagement with organizational priorities.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills - an effective writer, presenter, and relationship builder.

• Comfort operating in and representing the organization within Jewish communal settings.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• All prospective employees must pass a criminal background check and any security clearances required by the department to which they are assigned.

• Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

• Employees must meet the organization's vaccination policy.

• Hybrid work schedule; primary work location is Philadelphia, PA.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position requires prolonged periods of sitting, working at a computer, and communicating in person, by telephone, and in writing. The role also requires the ability to travel locally for meetings and events and to work