Job Description:

The Major Gift Officer manages a pool of 200 - 250  international major gift prospects rated $100K - $3M. These prospects will consist mainly of Brown alumni who have graduated in the past 25 years and Brown parents.  The position will make 90-120 face-to-face or virtual visits annually with these prospects to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects/donors; execute a minimum of 10 - 20 comprehensive proposals; qualify newly identified prospects as future potential major donors; and secure unrestricted annual gifts as prospects are cultivated towards a major gift. 

Other aspects include effective collaboration and partnership with colleagues, peers, and fundraising unit managers within a diverse number and variety of fundraising programs; management of regional volunteer committees, as needed; planning and managing regional events; staffing University administrators and faculty on development visits with prospects and donors; and recording activities, contacts, proposals and strategic plans in the donor database.

This position requires in-depth knowledge of the University, its initiatives, and its internal and external constituents to serve as a University representative, and a liaison between the Division of Advancement and Brown’s alumni, parents, and friends.  The Major Gift Officer routinely interacts with a variety of University colleagues, including those in Advancement leadership, Alumni Relations, Development, various academic departments, and faculty members, among others. The Major Gift Officer has an interest in global affairs and geopolitics and is able to interact confidently with Brown alumni, parents, and friends from around the world, showing an interest in their countries and cultures. 

Brown University is committed to advancing diversity, inclusion, and equity and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

This position manages a portfolio of international prospects and the officer will be located in Providence, RI.

Job Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required. 

• Minimum of 5 years professional experience in a related field such as fundraising, development, nonprofit, higher education, sales, customer relations, volunteer management, etc. 

• Proven ability to solicit and close philanthropic gifts on the $100,000+ level, or equivalent experience in a related field such as sales.

Required Qualifications

• Superior interpersonal skills with proven ability to successfully interact and collaborate with varied constituencies in a professional manner, exhibiting excellent written and oral communication skills, team-building skills, and demonstrating tact, poise and diplomacy while working with a wide variety of personalities.  

• Ability and comfort in meeting and interacting with individuals of considerable social status and affluence

• Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to initiate, collaborate, implement, monitor, evaluate and advance strategic plans that support the activities of the program and contribute to the overall goals and objectives of Advancement and the fundraising enterprise.

• Working knowledge of email and calendars, the Windows environment, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Suite, and other software such as Adobe Acrobat, donor databases, etc. 

• Must be able and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends.

• Must be able and willing to travel internationally to attend relevant programs and events and to meet with current and prospective donors and leadership volunteers to further cultivation and solicitation strategies. 

• A valid passport is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest in global affairs, understanding and understanding of international geopolitics and matters, and/or experience living or working internationally.

• Knowledge of Brown University 

Job Competencies

• Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), including experience/ability to identify and emphasize diverse perspectives in programming, communications, and strategy.

• Ability to apply good judgment and proven responsible decision-making skills; tact and discretion are required to deal with highly confidential alumni, parent, student, family, donor, and prospect information.

• Must be a detail-oriented, self-starter with a demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple projects and priorities to meet aggressive timelines and challenging deadlines. 

• Decisiveness, trustworthiness, discretion, and creativity are daily requirements of this position.

• Commitment to working in a team environment is essential.

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter and resume with their application. All offers of employment are contingent upon a completed criminal background check and education verification satisfactory to Brown

Benefits of Working at Brown:

Information on the Benefits of Working at Brown can be found here.

Recruiting Start Date:

2024-10-23

Job Posting Title:

Major Gift Officer, International Advancement

Department:

Advancement

Grade:

Grade 12

Worker Type:

Employee

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

Position Work Location:

Hybrid Eligible

Submission Guidelines:

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any staff position at Brown University you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact [email protected].

EEO Statement:

Brown University is an E-Verify Employer.

As an EEO/AA employer, Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, and caste, which is protected by our University policies.