Major Gifts Officer

Job Title: Major Gifts Officer
Division: Institutional Advancement
Reports To: Vice President of Institutional Advancement
Employment Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Fort Valley, Georgia (onsite)

Job Summary

Fort Valley State University is seeking a dynamic and relationship-driven development professional to serve as Major Gifts Officer, a key frontline fundraising role within the Advancement team. Reporting to the Vice President of Advancement. This position blends community engagement, stewardship, and major gifts fundraising in support of the school's undergraduate and graduate, athletics and band.

The Major Gifts Officer will manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, deepen engagement across key constituencies, and play a critical role in securing philanthropic support aligned with the university's strategic priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Major Gifts and Fundraising

• Manage and actively steward a portfolio of prospects, including alumni, corporations and friends.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for prospects and existing donors.
• Focus on building relationships and advancing giving conversations.
• Identify, qualify, and actively move new prospects into the major gift pipeline.
• Serve as a secondary relationship manager for select major donors in coordination with senior staff.
• Advance the university's philanthropic and institutional advancement objectives by cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors in the Atlanta metro area and other priority regions.

Community Engagement and Stewardship

• Design and implement thoughtful engagement strategies that strengthen relationships across the university community.
• Serve as a key connector between the Advancement Office and constituencies.
• Identify and engage prospective volunteers, speakers, mentors, and ambassadors to deepen community involvement.
• Support alumni engagement initiatives, including events, and affinity-building programs.
• Ensure consistent and meaningful recognition of donors in partnership with communications and advancement colleagues.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for the university at events, programs, and community gatherings.
• Provide strategic insight into donor interests, trends, and opportunities to strengthen the philanthropic pipeline.

Performance Expectations

• Maintain an active portfolio of 100-150 qualified prospects
• Complete 100+ donor visits annually
• Meet or exceed annual fundraising goals for leadership annual giving and campaign commitments (to be set in partnership with Advancement leadership)
• Maintain accurate and timely records of donor interactions and strategy in the CRM system.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
• 5–7+ years of progressive experience in advancement, fundraising, or related field.
• Demonstrated success in frontline fundraising, including cultivating, soliciting, and closing leadership or major gifts
• Outstanding writing skills and attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, highly relational environment
• High level of discretion and professionalism in handling confidential information
• Experience with Raiser's Edge NXT or similar CRM preferred
• Knowledge of fundraising principles, donor strategy, and campaign execution

Travel Requirements

• Regular local, regional, and statewide travel is required for donor visits, alumni engagement, University events, and other advancement activities.
• Occasional overnight and out-of-state travel may be required.
• The position may require attendance at evening and weekend events.
• The employee must be able to travel independently and maintain reliable transportation necessary to perform the position's responsibilities.
• A valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record may be required when operating a University-owned, leased, or rented vehicle.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain seated or standing for extended periods while working, attending meetings, participating in events, or traveling.
• Ability to use a computer, telephone, and other standard office equipment for extended periods.
• Ability to move throughout offices, event venues, campuses, and other meeting locations.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or move materials and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through virtual platforms.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Fort Valley State University is an equal opportunity employer. The University does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or University System of Georgia policy.