Major Gifts Officer

Position Overview:

Reporting to the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement, the Major Gifts Officer will be a key member of the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, responsible for securing major gifts in support of Merrimack College’s mission, strategic initiatives and campaign priorities. Managing a portfolio of approximately 150 prospective donors, the Major Gifts Officer will design and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies to secure gifts of $100,000 and above.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative, donor-focused professional with a passion for building meaningful relationships and a strong commitment to advancing Merrimack’s Augustinian Catholic mission by creating transformational opportunities for students.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage a portfolio of 150 major gift prospects, building strong relationships and soliciting major gifts.

• Develop and implement strategies for cultivating, soliciting and stewarding major gift prospects, successfully moving them through the qualification and cultivation processes to solicitation and stewardship.

• Meet defined goals for visits, asks and dollars raised.

• Utilize research, data analysis and other insights to inform the appropriate solicitation level and opportunity that is tailored to the prospects philanthropic goals.

• Collaborate with campus partners such as senior leadership, faculty and staff to support strong cultivation through stewardship strategies.

• Prepare written briefings, gift solicitation proposals and reports.

• Travel locally and nationally to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects and donors.

• Follow all institutional processes for documenting activities, meetings and interactions in the College’s CRM.

• Attend College events including events hosted by the Office of Development and Alumni Relations as well as athletic games and institutional events as needed.

• Contribute to a culture of philanthropy, transparency, and teamwork across the ODAR division.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Minimum of five years of professional experience in fundraising or an applicable relationship-driven field, with experience cultivating major gifts and philanthropic or revenue-generating partnerships.

• Engages effectively and respectfully with alumni, students, families, faculty, and partners.

• Builds trust and credibility with stakeholders at all levels, from campus partners to senior leaders and executive alumni; grounded in emotional intelligence and attentive listening.

• Asks thoughtful questions that uncover stated and underlying motivations; navigates ambiguity, complex dynamics, and varied personalities with clarity and respect.

• Designs and executes creative strategies and moves management plans for major gift prospects; brings or is eager to develop fluency in compensation structures, assets, and liquidity events relevant to philanthropy.

• Embraces continuous learning and collaborative problem-solving; shows interest in tax-smart and asset-based giving; contributes creativity, initiative, and teamwork to a mission-aligned advancement culture.

• Excellent verbal, written, and organizational skills.

• Collaborative, adaptable, and proactive—capable of thriving in a fast-paced, goal-driven environment.

• Technologically proficient, with strong skills in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access).

• Willingness and ability to travel and work evenings and weekends, as needed.

• Valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license with an insurable driving record, maintained throughout employment.

• Prior experience in higher education fundraising strongly preferred.

• Knowledge of the higher education landscape and enthusiasm for Merrimack’s mission and values.

Application Materials Should Include:

• Resume

• Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing experience relevant to the qualifications and including experience with, and commitment to, our Catholic Augustinian mission and our values.

Application deadline: 5/30/2026

This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.

Working Conditions

This is an on-campus position as employees are essential in order to provide a fully on-campus, residential college experience for our students and the community.

Statement on Our Mission

Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect, and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission. All candidates should describe in their application how they will foster a culture that supports our mission.

About Merrimack College

The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,100 undergraduate, 2,500 graduate students and 50 doctoral students from 48 states and 63 countries. The College features more than 160 career-focused undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College has six schools: arts and sciences, engineering and computational sciences, nursing and health sciences, education and social policy, the Girard school of business and the graduate school of counseling and social work. The College’s suburban 220-acre campus is just north of Boston in North Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master’s Colleges and Universities/Larger Programs (M1) institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 38th in the Regional Universities North category in 2026. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.

Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.