What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Major Gifts, College of Nursing & Health Sciences position at The University of Vermont Foundation?
JOB TITLE: Director of Major Gifts, College of Nursing & Health Sciences
REPORTS TO: Assistant Vice President for Development, University of Vermont Foundation (UVMF), Academic Health Sciences (AHS)
EXPECTED SALARY RANGE: $120,000 – 130,000 plus the UVM Foundation’s progressive benefits package, which includes: a comprehensive health plan; dental, vision, and life insurance; a robust paid time off package; a 403(b) plan with immediate vesting and contributions; and tuition remission.
EFFECTIVE DATE: September 1, 2026, or a negotiated date agreed upon by both parties.
FTE: Full-Time.
LOCATION: Burlington, Vermont.
JOB-TYPE/HOURS: On-site. This position will require work outside of standard business days and hours, and will require frequent, regular travel.
JOB SUMMARY
The Director of Major Gifts (DMG) is responsible for the generation of philanthropic gifts at or above $50,000 primarily to support the College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CNHS). The DMG manages a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation major gift prospects and is responsible for cultivating relationships leading to impactful donor engagement and high-level financial commitments.
The DMG collaborates closely with the CNHS Dean and other academic leadership and must be committed to forging great working relationships and partnerships with key internal stakeholders across UVM, the UVMF, CNHS, and AHS (the Larner College of Medicine and the UVM Medical Center/UVM Health.)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The DMG is fully dedicated to fundamental gift officer work, with a strong emphasis on fundraising productivity and enterprising activities to identify, cultivate and solicit CNHS alumni, family, and donors; deepen their relationship with UVM and their affinity for CNHS; and move them toward increased and sustained philanthropy.
75% Work with CNHS, UVM, and UVMF leadership to develop a compelling case for engagement and support that will attract major gift donors in a highly competitive philanthropic environment. As appropriate for the role, partner with designated CNHS and UVM and UVMF leaders to identify priority funding areas and align donor interests with appropriate opportunities. Foster a donor-centered philanthropic culture at CNHS to maximize the philanthropic potential of prospects.
10% Collaborate with UVMF leadership and central support units to elevate fundraising for CNHS and UVM. Work with the Prospect Development Team to identify and qualify new prospects, the Donor Relations Team to implement best stewardship and donor recognition practices, and the Communications Team to craft effective case statement, campaign, and other marketing materials.
10% Leverage prospect and donor relationships to increase engagement opportunities through a combination of on- and off-campus events, affinity programming, and student-centric or faculty-centric initiatives. Guide the fundraising focus and work of the CNHS Dean’s Advisory Board in partnership with the CNHS Dean and in alignment with the UVMF Board and UVMF Development Committee.
5% Other duties as assigned.
Specific standards of performance will be captured as metrics in an annual business plan.
Overnight travel, evenings, and weekend work will be required.
MINIMUM SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Knowledge of fundraising principles and practices, preferably within higher education, with strong skills in one-to-one donor cultivation.
- Exceptional people skills with the ability to be insightful, responsive, creative and engaging with colleagues and donors.
- Ability to work independently and be self-motivated in initiating contacts with donors and potential donors; strong ability to maintain relationships in person and long distance.
- Demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, combined with the ability to meaningfully apply those principles to strategy development and implementation.
- Team-oriented style and a deep desire to collaborate with others.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, including a high level of attention to detail and active listening skills.
- Ability to travel on a frequent basis and to work evenings and weekends when needed.
PREFERRED SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Demonstrated success in securing philanthropic investments in the five- to seven-figure ranges.
- Proven ability to develop stewardship strategies that lead to further philanthropic investment.
- Skillful strategist who can negotiate challenging situations and maximize donor impact while managing multiple projects.
- Adept at balancing the need for travel and in-office relationships and follow-up.
- Experience in higher education or the non-profit sector, preferably in a fundraising capacity.
- Experience with comprehensive fundraising campaigns.
MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree and at least 4 years successful mid-level and major gifts fundraising-related experience, preferably in higher education; or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill, and abilities can be demonstrated.
PREFERRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Master’s degree and at least 6 years of successful mid-level and major gifts fundraising experience, preferably in higher education; or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill, and abilities have been developed.
Salary : $120,000 - $130,000