Major Gifts Officer

humanities, Russell Sage College and Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) plan to merge. Russell Sage and ACPHS will collaborate over the next several years to create a plan to merge their academic portfolios and develop a facilities and people strategy, addressing workforce needs. Russell Sage College offers its faculty and staff the opportunity to make a difference every day - in the lives of students and the future of our communities.

Job Description:

Position Summary

The Major
Gifts Officer (MGO) plays a pivotal role in advancing the mission and priorities of the College. Responsible for managing a portfolio of 100
high-net-worth prospective donors- including alumni, parents, and friends of the college- the MGO will identify, qualify, cultivate,
solicit, and steward major gifts (typically $25,000+).

In a tight-knit campus community of ~3,500 students, this role requires a
strategic, highly collaborative fundraiser who thrives on building authentic, long-term relationships and can articulate the unique impact
of a private, student-centered education.

Key Responsibilities

1. Portfolio Management & Frontline Fundraising (70%)

• Maintain an active portfolio of approximately 100 major gift prospects.
• Conduct 10-12 substantive personal donor interactions
  (in-person visits, virtual meetings, or intentional calls) per month.
• Develop tailored strategy plans for each prospect, moving them
  deliberately through the donor pipeline: qualification to cultivation to solicitation to stewardship.
• Solicit and secure major gifts
  for capital projects, endowed scholarships, academic programs, and the annual fund.
• Primary liaison for major gifts that support the
  Denise Tabor Finard '80 Women's Institute.
• Collaborate with Executive Director of Gift Planning to incorporate blended gift
  opportunities (bequests, trusts, annuities) when appropriate.

2. Campus & Strategic Engagement (15%)

• Partner
  closely with faculty, department chairs, athletic leaders, and senior leadership (including the President and Vice President) to align donor
  passions with institutional priorities.
• Brief executive leadership and draft strategic talking points prior to major prospect
  meetings or regional donor events.
• Attend key campus traditions (Reunion, Commencement, Local and Regional Alumni Gatherings) to
  engage prospects organically.

3. Administration & Data Integrity (15%)

• Document all donor interactions, contact
  reports, strategies, and proposals in the advancement CRM database in a timely manner.
• Track monthly and annual progress toward
  personal activity and fundraising goals.
• Participate in advancement team meetings, prospect management sessions, and campaign
  planning.

The estimated salary range is $78,000 to $86,000 per year for 40 hours per week for 52 weeks (12 months).

Requirements:

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree
  required.
• Experience: 3-5 years of successful fundraising experience, ideally in higher education or a non-profit setting, with a
  proven track record of closing major gifts ($25,000+).
• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel frequently (approximately 30-40%
  regional travel, primarily in NY, New England, and the Tri-State area).
• Communication: Exceptional written, verbal, and
  interpersonal skills; ability to tell compelling stories about the value of a liberal arts education.
• Tech-Savvy: Proficiency with
  advancement databases/CRMs (e.g., Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, Slate) and Microsoft Office.

Ideal Candidate Profile

What makes someone succeed at Russell Sage College:

• Adaptability & Initiative: You don't mind wearing
  multiple hats or helping out at events when needed.
• Authentic Community Connection: You appreciate a small campus culture where you
  can drop by a professor's office or grab coffee with a coach to understand what needs funding.
• Regional Familiarity: Knowledge of
  the Upstate NY philanthropic landscape and regional alumni pockets is a strong plus.

Work Environment & Location

• Location: On-campus (Upstate NY) with flexibility for hybrid work during non-travel weeks, depending on department
  policy.
• Working Conditions: Requires regular evening/weekend work for events and donor travel.