Major Gifts Officer

The Taft School

. Manage a portfolio of alumni prospects with giving capacity of $100,000 or more who live in the western United States .

Posted 9/30/2026full-timeWatertown • Connecticut • United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $100,000 - $130,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in managing donor relationships and fundraising strategies within higher education, with a strong focus on cultivating high net worth individuals and engaging alumni in the Western U.S. Proven ability to prepare proposals, meet performance goals, and collaborate with academic leaders and development teams.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Fundraising ExperienceRelationship BuildingProposal PreparationCommunication SkillsAlumni Engagement

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

FundraisingProposal WritingDonor SolicitationDatabase ManagementEvent Planning

Soft Skills

Interpersonal SkillsTeam CollaborationCommitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree

Industry Keywords

Higher EducationNonprofitFront-line AdvancementAlumni RelationsPhilanthropy

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Manage a portfolio of alumni prospects with giving capacity of $100,000 or more who live in the western United States
Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors through in-person visits on and off campus and through virtual engagement
Build long-term relationships with alumni in the Western U.S. and serve as their trusted connection to Taft
Write an annual work plan, meet performance goals, and report on activity
Work with the Senior Director of Philanthropy to plan meetings, engagement, and solicitations, including travel to the Western region
Prepare proposals and stewardship materials, including gift documentation, acknowledgments, and reports
Partner with academic leaders, faculty, senior administrators, and the Alumni and Development team to create engagement opportunities for prospects
Help plan and take part in regional events and programs, on and off campus, that build philanthropy
Keep alumni in the region informed and engaged with the School
Keep accurate, detailed records of visits, meeting reports, proposals, and prospect activity in the development database

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree
Five or more years of related fundraising experience in higher education or nonprofit work, preferably in front-line advancement
Demonstrated success cultivating relationships and soliciting gifts
Ability to build relationships with high net worth individuals across a range of professions
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Experience working with volunteers and collaborating in a team
Ability to speak credibly about independent school education and Taft's mission
Ability to travel within the U.S. and attend events outside normal business hours
Commitment to inclusive, respectful conduct with colleagues, students, and visitors, and to ongoing learning about diversity and inclusion
Front-line advancement experience in an independent school or higher education setting
Existing ties to the Western U.S. alumni or donor community

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Retirement plan contributions
Life and disability insurance
Paid vacation and holidays
Professional development support
Tuition assistance and educational benefits where applicable
Access to campus programs and resources