Director of Major Gifts (Remote - Option for Hybrid in MN)

The Director of Major Gifts will lead Scholarship America's philanthropic efforts, overseeing major gift fundraising, development operations, and donor stewardship strategies. This role combines frontline fundraising with operational oversight, supervising a Major Gifts Officer and development operations staff to ensure accurate gift records and efficient processes.

This position requires a dynamic leader who can drive major gift revenue, foster a culture of philanthropy, and introduce innovative systems to enhance fundraising capacity. The Director will focus on securing unrestricted funding and aligning donor interests with organizational priorities.

Donor Cultivation and Solicitation

• Develop and execute a comprehensive plan to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with major donors.
• Manage a portfolio of high-value donors capable of making gifts ranging from $10,000 to six figures, with annual revenue goals of $1-2 million.
• Implement tailored engagement strategies to align donor interests with the mission.

Strategic Development

• Drive innovative fundraising strategies to cultivate a sustainable donor pipeline.
• Identify and pursue strategic funding opportunities in collaboration with organizational leadership.
• Serve as an external ambassador, building relationships with donors, foundations, and key stakeholders.

Stewardship & Reporting

• Design and implement a comprehensive donor stewardship plan that supports retention and deepens engagement.
• Ensure regular and accurate donor communication, including personalized reports on impact and outcomes.

Grant Development

• Lead or collaborate on the submission of proposals to foundations and other funding organizations for unrestricted support.
• Work with program staff to create compelling cases for support.

Leadership and Supervision

• Build a Development Team, including hiring, onboarding a Major Gifts Officer; supervising, and providing professional development for Development Operations/Gift Records.
• Ensure accurate gift processing, donor record maintenance, and adherence to fundraising best practices.
• Partner with AVP, External Affairs, to align department goals with organizational strategy.

Development Operations

• Oversee development operations, ensuring timely and accurate gift processing, acknowledgment, and reporting.
• Collaborate with the operations team to maintain donor confidentiality and data integrity.
• Evaluate and introduce tools, systems, and processes to enhance operational efficiency and fundraising success.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• A passion for improving student outcomes and a commitment to serving students of need.
• Seven (7) or more years of experience in professional fundraising working directly with donors to seek, solicit, and receive gifts.
• Proven experience raising six-figure or larger gifts.
• Previous experience as a Director of Development, senior leader in philanthropy, or equivalent
• Proven ability to collaborate with executives, peer leadership, staff, and other stakeholders to build alignment and achieve impact objectives.
• Strategic thinker with the demonstrated ability to develop and execute fundraising strategies and initiatives, including portfolio management and fundraising best practices.
• Ability to lead cross-functional efforts within an organization as well as with external funders and stakeholders.
• Ability to identify potential funders, evaluate alignment, and grow relationships.
• Demonstrated experience in identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major gifts prospects and donors.
• Communicates effectively and persuasively both verbally and in writing, with the ability to lead and inspire others while maintaining a collaborative process.
• Ability to work cross-functionally to champion donor interests in alignment with Scholarship America priorities.
• Results-oriented, motivated to meet or exceed individual and shared goals by carefully monitoring progress and demonstrating accountability.
• Demonstrates superior interpersonal skills with understanding, empathy & diversity emphasis.
• Ability to travel as needed to cultivate and steward major donors.
• Ability to flex schedule based on donor needs and availability.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite with emphasis on Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent experience
• Higher Ed or scholarship fundraising experience
• Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) credentials
• Cultural awareness to appreciate varied lived experiences and the potential impact on educational achievement.

Full Pay range: Exempt ($78,000 - $97,500 - $117,000)

This is the pay range for our staff in this position, from entry to fully independent and proficient in the role utilizing our propriety systems and processes. The candidate selected for this position will be offered a wage applicable to their background and skill set as aligned to our business.

Reports to: Associate Vice President, External Affairs

Department: Growth

Application deadline: Sunday, March 2^nd (by 11:00 pm CT)

We are an equal opportunity employer and believe in the power of a diverse workplace to better serve a broad range of student needs. All qualified candidates who meet the minimum requirements are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, parental or marital status.

With $5 billion in distributions to students since 1958, Scholarship America is the leading administrator of private scholarships in the United States.