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Development Specialist, Major Gifts

Classification Information

Major Gifts
Major Gifts identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts from critical, high-profile prospects/donors. Designs and implements strategic fundraising plans through collaboration for academic units, regional campuses, and complex markets. Typically manages a portfolio of approximately 100 prospects and gift solicitations of $100,000 to $5,000,000.
Individual Contributor
In an individual contributor role, the positions work is primarily achieved through individual efforts or by participating as part of a team. Individual contributors may: Coordinate, influence, or review the work of others. Be the authority on a given program or process. Lead teams. A range of knowledge, complexity, autonomy, and impact may be needed to achieve results at certain levels. Individual contributor roles are reflected in the Academic Administration, Development, General Administration, Technical/STEM, and C1-C4 of the Clinical tracks.
Level 2
Intermediate: These positions require some experience and education but are not expected to act independently.
D - Development
Roles that are focused on fundraising for the organization.

Position Summary

The Development Specialist for Major Gifts plays a key role in advancing the university’s fundraising initiatives by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts from high-profile prospects and donors. This intermediate-level position is responsible for managing a portfolio of approximately 100 major gift prospects, with solicitations typically ranging from $100,000 to $5,000,000. The Development Specialist collaborates with various academic units, regional campuses, and other stakeholders to design and implement strategic fundraising plans tailored to specific donor needs and university priorities. In this role, the Development Specialist will work closely with senior development staff to execute major gift strategies, ensuring the successful solicitation and stewardship of donors. They will actively engage with potential donors through meetings, events, and written communications, building and maintaining strong relationships to secure substantial gifts. This position requires a mix of experience in donor relations, fundraising strategies, and project management, providing an opportunity for professional growth in the field of development while contributing directly to the university's long-term success.