Major Gifts Officer

The Boston Athenaeum (BA) seeks a highly skilled, experienced, and results-oriented development professional for the role of Major Gifts Officer. This position’s schedule is full time from Monday-Friday and is currently partially remote, with some days required in the BA.  Reporting to the Chief Development Officer and working closely with the Library’s senior leadership, this position is a key member of the BA’s Development department. With new energetic executive leadership, the BA is at a point of significant growth and renewal of its membership, donor base, collections, and programs.

The Major Gifts Officer’s focus will be on providing strategic leadership in building relationships, cultivating and soliciting individuals and selecting foundation donors to grow unrestricted support for the Library, while promoting opportunities for targeted funding of particular exhibitions, programs, and initiatives. The individual in this role will be responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors and prospects capable of making annual gifts of $10,000 or more, as well as re-engaging lapsed donors and legacy donors. The Major Gifts Officer will also work closely with the Chief Development Officer on major campaign gifts and reinvigorating a planned giving program.

The successful individual in this role has talent in identifying and cultivating new donors, strong interpersonal and organizational skills, and the ability to work cross-functionally with various departments to build strategic fundraising plans and solicitations. 

Responsibilities include: 

Growth of major gifts fundraising program, including oversight of individualized moves management strategies and implementation of special fundraising programs.  Managing a relationship portfolio of approximately 100-125+ donors and prospects with capacity to give a minimum of $10,000 annually, and/or ability to consider planned gifts.  Developing solicitation strategies for donors / prospects in support of the organization's annual fund, planned giving, and growth campaigns; ensure strategies are compatible and maximize opportunities with other existing campaigns and appeals. Actively soliciting contributed support from donors for unrestricted library operations, special exhibitions, special collections, and other initiatives.  Partnering with the marketing team in the development of major gift solicitation materials and communications.  Continually recommending short- and long-term fundraising plans and developing  goals for the growth of major gifts support focused on substantive contacts and activity to identify, cultivate solicit and steward donors. Overseeing major donor stewardship including 10 ½ Circle, Hannah Adams, Rodney Armstrong, and Bromfield Societies’ activities through deep collaboration with the events department.  Maintaining accurate and detailed records of donor communications and prospect management including documentation of gift interactions within salesforce.  Reinvigorating a planned giving program to steward legacy donors and cultivate prospects, resulting in a planned giving pipeline. 

Working with the Development Coordinator to analyze donor base, screen and prepare profiles of current and prospective donors; establish and refine benchmarks for department research processes as needed.

Qualifications

Seven years of successful development experiences (including major gift experience) with a track record in planning and implementing fundraising campaigns, closing gifts, and meeting goals. Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to communicate ideas with enthusiasm to donors, and an ability to effectively match interests of donors to Library needs.  Demonstrated skills initiating and managing projects, working independently, and meeting deadlines. Proficiency to manage multiple deadlines and work with diverse groups cross-organizationally in a collaborative manner;  Exemplify ethical standards of professional fundraising, including confidentiality as warranted. Adept at working with GSuite and experience with fundraising software (salesforce preferred). Excellent interpersonal skills with collegial approach. Flexibility as needed to work evenings and/or weekends for special events.

Salary range: $90,000 - $100,000 

TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter and resume to hradvancement@bostonathenaeum.org.

The Boston Athenæum is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage individuals of diverse backgrounds to apply and are committed to hiring individuals who value a diverse and inclusive work environment. The Boston Athenæum is also committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment. To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Director of Business Operations & Augusta Thomas Director of Finance, Christopher Boudrot, at 617-720-7642 or boudrot@bostonathenaeum.org.