Senior Major Gift Officer

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial, socio-economic, and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration and staff. Job Description: Amherst College invites applications for the Senior Major Gift Officer position. The Senior Major Gift Officer is a full-time, year-round position. The expected salary range for this job opportunity is: $120,000 to $130,000 per year. The salary offered will vary based on a number of factors, including but not limited to relevant education, training, and experience, tenure status, and other nondiscriminatory business considerations. Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Click here for Benefits Information. The Senior Major Gift Officer (SMGO) is a senior fundraising professional responsible for securing significant philanthropic support for Amherst College. This role manages a dynamic portfolio of approximately 125175 alumni and parent donors and prospective donors, developing and executing individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that lead to six- and seven-figure commitments in support of the Colleges highest priorities. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Development, the SMGO engages actively with donors and prospects through frequent travel, in-person meetings, and virtual conversations. The role serves as a strategic partner in advancing institutional fundraising prioritiestranslating complex initiatives into compelling philanthropic opportunities and connecting donor interests with meaningful impact. The SMGO also contributes to special projects and priority initiatives, which may include serving as a liaison to an academic department, program, or donor interest area, and supports high-visibility events, committees, and campaigns as needed. The Senior Major Gift Officer brings strong fundraising expertise, sound judgment, and a relationship-centered approach to frontline development work. They build trust-based partnerships with donors, communicate institutional priorities clearly and persuasively, and navigate complex philanthropic conversations with professionalism and care. Operating in a data-informed, metrics-driven environment, the Senior Major Gift Officer meets ambitious goals while contributing to a collaborative and inclusive Advancement culture, and demonstrates flexibility to support evening, weekend, and travel commitments required for this role. Advancement staff are expected to promote a positive, solutions-focused workplace culture through professional and constructive engagement in meetings, collaborations, and daily interactions. Advancement work also includes all-hands-on-deck events that require occasional evening and weekend participation to support key College events, includingbut not limited toReunion and Homecoming. Summary of Responsibilities: Fundraising and Portfolio Management Manage a robust portfolio of alumni donors and prospects, ensuring consistent, strategic movement through the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship cycle. Secure six- and seven-figure philanthropic commitments that advance Amhersts highest institutional priorities. Develop and execute individualized donor strategies, including tailored briefings, targeted outreach, and personalized engagement experiencesboth virtually and through significant travel. Communicate a compelling and nuanced case for support, translating the Colleges mission, strategic initiatives, and emerging opportunities into meaningful philanthropic conversations. Serve as a strategic partner and primary point of contact for assigned academic departments, programs, affinity/identity-based groups, or institutional initiatives, aligning donor interests with College priorities. Collaborate with Advancement colleaguesincluding Planned Giving, Donor Relations, Alumni Relations, and Advancement Communicationsto ensure coordinated messaging, reporting, and donor engagement. Participate actively in special fundraising projects and College-wide campaigns, supporting high-visibility events, volunteer committees, and priority initiatives as needed. Operate within a data-informed, metrics-driven culture, meeting measurable expectations for donor visits, proposals, solicitations, portfolio activity, and philanthropic outcomes. Prepare clear, concise contact reports, strategy updates, and proposal materials that ensure transparency, alignment, and effective collaboration across the Advancement division. Use CRM tools, prospect research, and portfolio analytics to track progress, forecast potential revenue, and make data-informed decisions that strengthen portfolio health and fundraising outcomes. Plan and support cultivation and stewardship activities, including small events and virtual engagements that advance donor strategies and deepen connection to the College. Qualifications: Required Bachelor's Degree. Minimum of seven years of experience and success as a frontline fundraiser, including experience soliciting, closing, and stewarding major gifts. Strong relationship- and trust-building skills, with the ability to engage donors thoughtfully and align philanthropic interests with institutional priorities. Sound judgment and professionalism, with the ability to navigate complex situations and represent the institution effectively. Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively, both verbally and in writing, to diverse audiences. Proven ability to thrive in a data-informed, metrics-driven environment, meeting measurable fundraising and engagement goals. Demonstrated commitment to contributing to a collaborative, inclusive Advancement culture, working effectively with colleagues across teams. Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends and to travel as required to support frontline fundraising responsibilities. Successful completion of required reference and background checks. An acceptable criminal offender records information (CORI) check. Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Amherst_Jobs. Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen.) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Amherst College is committed to an inclusive hiring process and will provide reasonable accommodations for candidates throughout the application and interview process upon request. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Welcome to Amherst College! We are excited to share our current openings. You are invited to explore the opportunities available and we encourage you to apply for those that are aligned with your skills and experience. Thank you again for your interest in Amherst College Amherst College, one of the premier liberal arts colleges in the nation, is located in Amherst, Massachusettsa town of about 35,000 residents in the western part of the state. The college community includes around 1,800 students from 48 states, plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and 54 countries around the world, along with about 1,000 staff and faculty members. The scenic 1,000-acre campus features a 500-acre wildlife sanctuary and the Book and Plow Farm; three museums: Emily Dickinson Museum, Beneski Museum of Natural History , and Mead Art Museum; and multiple educational and cultural venues and resources through the Five College Consortium. Amherst College is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for everyone. Amherst College does not discriminate in admission, employment, or the administration of its programs and activities based on race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity), age, disability, genetic information, military service, or any other characteristic or class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Amherst College complies with all relevant state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Equal Pay Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. If you have any related inquiries, please contact the Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, Amherst College, P.O. Box 5000, Amherst, MA 01002-5000. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Amherst College's policy is to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Office of Human Resources at hr@amherst.edu. Click here for information about Title IX at Amherst. Inquiries may be directed to: Civil Rights and Title IX Coordinator Amherst College 79 S Pleasant Street Suite 120 Amherst, MA 01002 crtixoffice@amherst.edu Amherst.edu/offices/title-ix