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.

WELCOME

Welcome to Amherst College! We are excited to share our current openings. You are invited to explore the opportunities available and we encourage you to apply for those that are aligned with your skills and experience. Thank you again for your interest in Amherst College

ABOUT US

Amherst College, one of the premier liberal arts colleges in the nation, is located in Amherst, Massachusetts—a town of about 35,000 residents in the western part of the state. The college community includes around 1,800 students from 48 states, plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and 54 countries around the world, along with about 1,000 staff and faculty members. The scenic 1,000-acre campus features a 500-acre wildlife sanctuary and the Book and Plow Farm; three museums: Emily Dickinson Museum, Beneski Museum of Natural History , and Mead Art Museum; and multiple educational and cultural venues and resources through the Five College Consortium.

Amherst College is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for everyone. Amherst College does not discriminate in admission, employment, or the administration of its programs and activities based on race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender expression, and gender identity), age, disability, genetic information, military service, or any other characteristic or class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Amherst College complies with all relevant state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Equal Pay Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. If you have any related inquiries, please contact the Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, Amherst College, P.O. Box 5000, Amherst, MA 01002-5000.

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.

Amherst College's policy is to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Office of Human Resources at hr@amherst.edu.

Click here for information about Title IX at Amherst.

Inquiries may be directed to:

Civil Rights and Title IX Coordinator

Amherst College

79 S Pleasant Street

Suite 120

Amherst, MA 01002

crtixoffice@amherst.edu

Amherst.edu/offices/title-ix