Development & Major Gifts Officer

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Boston Architectural College is advancing a strategic vision that elevates student access, design excellence, and sustainability, powered by growing philanthropic investment. As we build momentum in the early phases of our comprehensive campaign, the College is expanding its programs in major gifts, annual giving, and planned giving, while strengthening the systems, strategies, and donor engagement practices that will sustain long-term philanthropic growth. As our shop grows, this role offers an exciting opportunity to shape emerging development systems, build meaningful donor partnerships, and contribute to a mission-driven institution on the cusp of an ambitious next chapter.

The Boston Architectural College seeks a Development & Major Gifts Officer with 5 years of progressive development experience and early success in major gifts to join a dynamic advancement team in a role that blends frontline fundraising and strategic development leadership (50/50). Reporting to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, this position offers a balanced portfolio of donor engagement and development operations, with direct responsibility for cultivating and soliciting donors while strengthening the systems and practices that sustain the College’s philanthropic growth. This is a full time, exempt position.

Key Responsibilities

At the Boston Architectural College, the Development & Major Gifts Officer will:

1. Collaborate across Advancement, the President’s Office, and campus partners to align fundraising with institutional priorities.
2. Partner with the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Director of Development on major gift strategy, donor engagement planning, and pipeline development.
3. Contribute to the development of the infrastructure, programming, and materials necessary for effective donor engagement, including proposals, briefings, stewardship materials, and campaign assets.
4. Manage a portfolio and pipeline of major, campaign, and leadership annual gift prospects, with responsibility for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
5. Lead and support prospect research efforts, including qualification, strategy development, and movement through the donor lifecycle.
6. Coordinate and support VIP donor engagement and cultivation activities, including events, site visits, and special experiences.
7. Maintain accurate and timely records in the CRM (such as SalesForce) and contribute to data integrity, reporting, and performance tracking.

Qualifications

• 5 years of progressive experience in development or fundraising, preferably in higher education, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across teams and with senior leadership, volunteers, and external partners.
• Strong experience with donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship across both in-person and virtual environments.
• Ability to contribute to, develop, and evolve fundraising systems, processes, and infrastructure in a growing advancement operation
• Demonstrated early success in major gifts or leadership annual giving, including managing a donor portfolio and participating in solicitations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and people skills, with confidence in donor-facing communication.
• High level of organization, initiative, sound judgment, and follow-through in a fast-paced, relationship-driven environment.
• Experience with and strong skills in CRM management and donor research platforms, with the ability to work fluidly across Microsoft Office and Google Workspace (both cloud- and computer-based).
• Experience leading and curating VIP stewardship activities, fundraising engagements, and high-level donor events.
• Genuine interest in architectural education, access, sustainability, and design-driven impact is a plus. 

Work Schedule and Location Requirements:

• This is a full-time hybrid position, coming on site 1 day a week minimum, with the ability to return to campus for events as needed.
• Ability to work weekends and evenings for events as needed.
• Must have mode of transportation to visit donors.
• Must be able to meet with donors virtually and in person regularly with the ability to travel regionally, and to occasionally travel nationally and globally.

Salary Range: $75,000-$82,000

Salary : $75,000 - $82,000