Sr. Major Gift Officer

The Sr. Major Gift Officer reports to the Assistant Vice President of Advancement and is a vital member of the Institutional Advancement team. The Assistant Director will manage a portfolio of mid-level and leadership annual giving prospects, including alumni, athletics donors and corporate partners. This position will execute and participate in fundraising strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals and organizations capable of making impactful contributions to Saint Martin's University.

Saint Martin's University is more than just a place of learning-it's a welcoming community where students, faculty, and staff come together with purpose and heart. Founded in 1895 by the Benedictine monks of Saint Martin's Abbey, we are grounded in the timeless Benedictine values of community, hospitality, and balance. These values, combined with a Saint Martin's liberal arts education, shape our approach to education and daily life, encouraging students to think deeply, act with compassion, and serve with purpose.

As part of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, we honor the integration of faith and reason, the dignity of every person, and a shared responsibility for the common good. Our mission is to form graduates who are not only intellectually curious and ethically grounded, but also deeply committed to building a more just and equitable world. At Saint Martin's, we care about the whole person.

Our supportive campus culture is built to help students thrive-academically, personally, and professionally. We pay special attention to the needs of those who have been historically underserved, and we work intentionally to create an inclusive, respectful, and compassionate environment for all.

We warmly invite mission-driven individuals to join our community-not just to work here, but to be part of something meaningful. Together, we educate students who go on to make a positive difference in their lives, their communities, and the world.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Functions & Responsibilities - Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this position. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following.

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 125-150 mid-level and leadership annual giving relationships, with a focus on alumni, athletics donors and corporate partners.
• Identify and execute donor-centric cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies tailored to individual and organizational interests.
• Conduct in-person and virtual meetings to build relationships and secure gifts.
• Collaborate with Institutional Advancement colleagues, university leadership, faculty, and staff to align donor interests with university priorities.
• Write compelling proposals, correspondence, and stewardship reports to engage and recognize donors.
• Maintain accurate records of donor interactions and strategies in the University's CRM system, Technolutions Slate.
• Participate in and support Institutional Advancement events and activities.
• Meet or exceed assigned metrics for donor visits, solicitations, and dollars raised.

COMPETENCIES

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build genuine relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft tailored messages for donor engagement.
• Goal-oriented with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment.
• Willingness to learn and adapt in a dynamic, mission-driven organization.
• Demonstrate strong multicultural knowledge, awareness, and skills needed to perform the tasks of promoting diversity and social justice.
• Knowledge of best practices related to supporting diverse student population, including students of color, students of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, first generation students, students with disabilities, and other historically marginalized identities.
• Is supportive of a Catholic, Benedictine philosophy of education and able to articulate and support the University's mission statement.

REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent knowledge, skills, or training.
• 1-2 years of experience in fundraising, sales, customer service, public relations, or a related field.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel locally for donor meetings and events.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in fundraising, alumni relations, or volunteer management in a higher education or nonprofit setting.
• Familiarity with fundraising CRM systems.
• Understanding of athletics fundraising and corporate partnership cultivation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a standard office environment. Physical demands include:

• Moves objects (less than 20 pounds) long distances (more than 20 feet).
• Ability to be mobile campus wide for appropriate business needs.
• Due to the nature of the work, some evening and weekend hours as well as travel, may be required.
• Operates a variety of standard office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive arm-hand movements.
• Reading, writing, speaking, hearing, standing, bending, sitting.
• Learning and comprehending.
• Requires visual concentration on detail.
• Manual dexterity and precision required for keyboarding.
• Must be able to sit for long periods at a time at a computer.
• May occasionally be required to deal with distraught people.
• Must be able to concentrate on details and process complex information while experiencing frequent interruptions.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with people at all levels under stressful conditions.
• Must maintain strict confidentiality relating to all issues in the department and Saint Martin's University.