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 Major Gift Officer position. The Major Gift Officer is a full-time, year-round position. The expected salary range for this job opportunity is: $95,000 to $112,000 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 Major Gift Officer (MGO) is a strategic front-line fundraiser who plays a vital role in advancing Amherst College's mission and philanthropic priorities. Responsible for managing a dynamic portfolio of major gift prospects—primarily alumni—the MGO works to cultivate meaningful philanthropic relationships, developing and executing individualized, data-informed donor strategies that align donor passions with institutional needs to inspire transformational commitments of six figures and above.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Development within the Development department, the MGO collaborates closely with colleagues across the Advancement division and the broader College community. The role builds relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, partnering with faculty, academic departments, senior administrators, program leaders, and alumni to align donor interests with institutional funding priorities, including scholarships, faculty support, academic innovation, and campus life. This role requires a high degree of emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and intellectual curiosity, coupled with a proven track record of securing major gifts through sophisticated relationship management.

The MGO has a high degree of emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and intellectual curiosity, coupled with a proven track record of securing major gifts through sophisticated relationship management. Success in this position is defined by the ability to thrive in a metrics-driven, goal-oriented environment, persuasive verbal and written communication skills, collaborative cross-campus partnership, and the ability to articulate a compelling case for residential liberal arts education while traveling frequently to build trust-based donor relationships.

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, including—but not limited to—Reunion and Homecoming.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, though regular on-campus presence is required for all-staff meetings, key division events, relationship building, and institutional priorities.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Fundraising

• Manage a portfolio of 150-175 diverse Amherst alumni donors and prospects, employing a disciplined, data-informed approach to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts.
• Develop and implement individualized donor strategies based on philanthropic capacity and personal interests, with the goal of securing six- and seven-figure commitments in support of Amherst's institutional priorities.
• Engage in frequent travel and virtual meetings to build meaningful, trust-based relationships with donors across key geographic regions, maintaining a high volume of substantive contacts and solicitations annually.
• Serve as a persuasive advocate for the liberal arts, articulating compelling cases for support that align with the College's mission, vision, and evolving funding needs.
• Partner with colleagues across Advancement and the campus to lead fundraising initiatives tied to specific academic or administrative areas, as well as efforts involving identity- or interest-based alumni groups, faculty engagement, and cross-divisional partnerships.
• Use data, prospect intelligence, and CRM tools to monitor portfolio performance, forecast revenue, and contribute to strategic planning and campaign execution.
• Plan and execute targeted cultivation and stewardship events—both in-person and virtual—that align with donor strategies and institutional priorities, strengthening relationships and deepening engagement.

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor's Degree.
• 5 to 7 years of related experience.
• Equivalent work experience in lieu of minimum education and related experience.
• Develop and implement individualized donor strategies based on philanthropic capacity and personal interests, with the goal of securing six- and seven-figure commitments in support of Amherst's institutional priorities.
• Engage in frequent travel and virtual meetings to build meaningful, trust-based relationships with donors across key geographic regions, maintaining a high volume of substantive contacts and solicitations annually.
• Serve as a persuasive advocate for the liberal arts, articulating compelling cases for support that align with the College's mission, vision, and evolving funding needs.
• Partner with colleagues across Advancement and the campus to lead fundraising initiatives tied to specific academic or administrative areas, as well as efforts involving identity- or interest-based alumni groups, faculty engagement, and cross-divisional partnerships.
• Use data, prospect intelligence, and CRM tools to monitor portfolio performance, forecast revenue, and contribute to strategic planning and campaign execution.
• Plan and execute targeted cultivation and stewardship events—both in-person and virtual—that align with donor strategies and institutional priorities, strengthening relationships and deepening engagement.
• Valid driver’s license and successful completion of Five College Risk Management driver credentialing program.
  (See: https://www.fivecolleges.edu/riskmgmt/driver_credentialing)
• 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.