Our Mission

We in Boston University Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) harness the power of philanthropy to make an excellent education accessible and welcoming to all, and to advance BU’s global leadership in research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice. To support our work, we have built—and are continuing to build—an outstanding team of dynamic, mission-driven advancement professionals who constantly strive to create an environment where everyone belongs. Where it’s not just about a job, but a career and a community.

Now, our Major Gifts team is looking for a Major Gift Officer who will plan and advance a wide range of fund-raising activities, programs and priorities for the New England region.

Major Gifts at Boston University

The Major Gifts (MG) team is a regionally based team that covers six regions domestically and is not affiliated with any particular school or college. The MG team focuses on the discovery, qualification, solicitation, and close of major gifts ($100K+).

Major Gift Officer

This position works closely with the AVP of Major Gifts, Director of Major Gifts, New England, and Colleges and Schools in pursuing major gifts for endowed chairs and scholarships; identifying and cultivating prospects; developing solicitation strategies and coordinating the involvement of other administrators, faculty, alumni and volunteers; overseeing various special projects as assigned by the AVP of Major Gifts and Director of Major Gifts, New England.

Responsibilities:

• Prospect qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and close of leadership gifts at the $100,000 plus level throughout New England, with a focus on the Greater Boston area. Coordinate and orchestrate prospect strategies with the appropriate deans and school-based development officers and work in tandem to assure the highest and best use of time, budget and personnel. Work with supervisors to devise specific strategies and timetables for the successful solicitation of individuals, including the use of planned giving vehicles where applicable.
• Assist the Director, Major Gifts, New England in the management of the New England Regional Leadership Council. Recruit new members and cultivate existing members; support regular meetings of the Council and related event planning. In addition, integrate broader Alumni Engagement and University event activities as a component of the overall development strategy.
• Coordinate with Stewardship to keep donors up to date on their gifts and impact; happenings at the University in their areas of interest; and major changes within the University as a whole. Inform schools and departments while moving prospects through leadership gift lifecycle.
• Establish long-range goals and objectives for development programs and activities in the assigned region that reflect academic priorities for private support. Prepare operating plan designed to facilitate achievement of these goals and objectives as a component of the University-wide leadership gifts plan.

Required Skills

A cover letter is required for consideration.

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5+ years of directly related experience, which could include sales and business development in a complex organization, and preferably including at least three years in advancement.
• Outstanding track record of building and developing customer relationships.
• Strong understanding of development and philanthropy. Experience in dealing with major gift prospects preferred.
• Effective experience in enlisting and interacting with senior level leadership volunteers and committees, both internally and externally.
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Understanding of the University culture and process for decision making and program development required.
• Comfort level working in a team-oriented environment required, but also must be results oriented and a self-starter.
• Ability and willingness to travel required.

But that’s not all we’re looking for; we want someone who embodies our values:

• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect , because we value every member’s contributions and know that leadership can come from anywhere.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion , and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.
• Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.
• Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.
• Continuous growth and improvement , both as individuals and as a team.
• Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.

If this resonates with you and you want to help us in our ambitious next campaign—and maybe do some of your best work as an advancement professional— we encourage you to apply. **** If you are hesitant to apply because you have not previously performed every responsibility listed in the description, but you do possess transferable skills and the defined qualifications, we still want to hear from you and welcome your application as well.

To learn more about Development & Alumni Relations at Boston University, and other job opportunities, please stop by the DAR Talent website: **** https://www.bu.edu/dar-talent/.

_We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. _

If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617-358-1796.

Required Experience

A cover letter is required for consideration.

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5+ years of directly related experience, which could include sales and business development in a complex organization, and preferably including at least three years in advancement.
• Outstanding track record of building and developing customer relationships.
• Strong understanding of development and philanthropy. Experience in dealing with major gift prospects preferred.
• Effective experience in enlisting and interacting with senior level leadership volunteers and committees, both internally and externally.
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Understanding of the University culture and process for decision making and program development required.
• Comfort level working in a team-oriented environment required, but also must be results oriented and a self-starter.
• Ability and willingness to travel required.

But that’s not all we’re looking for; we want someone who embodies our values:

• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect , because we value every member’s contributions and know that leadership can come from anywhere.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion , and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.
• Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.
• Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.
• Continuous growth and improvement , both as individuals and as a team.
• Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.

If this resonates with you and you want to help us in our ambitious next campaign—and maybe do some of your best work as an advancement professional— we encourage you to apply. **** If you are hesitant to apply because you have not previously performed every responsibility listed in the description, but you do possess transferable skills and the defined qualifications, we still want to hear from you and welcome your application as well.

To learn more about Development & Alumni Relations at Boston University, and other job opportunities, please stop by the DAR Talent website: **** https://www.bu.edu/dar-talent/.

_We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. _

If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617-358-1796.