Major Gifts Officer
Position Type: Year-round, Full-time, Staff Position
Salary: $70,000-$80,000
Department: Development
Reports to: Director of Development
Join Shelburne Museum during an exciting time of growth and transformation! As the largest art and history museum in northern New England, we are dedicated to enriching our vibrant cultural landscape, and we invite you to be a part of our expanding, dynamic development team as our new Major Gifts Officer.
Role Overview:
In this pivotal new role, you will work closely with the Director of Development and Museum Director & CEO to foster deeper engagement with our current major supporters ($10K+) while identifying new potential major donors. You will develop a deep understanding of Shelburne Museum's mission and history, current program, and future plans, and build meaningful relationships with donors, trustees, and leadership volunteers as well as our dedicated staff. You will manage a portfolio of major gifts prospects and donors locally and nationally, inspiring them to invest in Shelburne Museum to meet annual and capital campaign goals. You will also lead the Museum’s planned giving efforts. Your creativity and strategic thinking will be essential as you design and implement innovative strategies for securing major gifts.
This is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact within a collaborative fundraising department. We're looking for a versatile and self-motivated individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment, has proven success in fundraising efforts and closing gifts, and is eager to contribute across all facets of major gift fundraising, from strategy through to execution and stewardship. You'll also play a critical role in ensuring accurate donor records and recognition while actively participating in our fundraising initiatives.
Duties & Responsibilities:
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major donors and prospects, aiming for retention and the development of leadership and major donor pipelines. Manage benefit fulfillment, as appropriate.
• Research major gift prospects and maintain regular communication with donors through calls and emails.
• Conduct personal visits with major donors and prospects, scheduling 8-10 visits monthly for cultivation and stewardship. Produce timely contact reports.
• Craft compelling solicitation letters, proposals, acknowledgments, reports, and other donor communications.
• Think strategically, focusing on acquisition, including identifying new prospects, coordinating cultivation events and special projects as needed.
• Manage major donor events and support and assist with other development and membership events, including exhibition openings and donor cultivation activities.
• Engage in departmental administrative functions including but not limited to reporting, database management, prospect management, and creation of major gifts procedures and protocols.
• Coordinate monthly donor income reports and liaise with the Finance Department to ensure accurate accounting.
• Support the Development Coordinator in building out reports for donor engagement.
• Be a passionate, visible and informed advocate for Shelburne Museum, actively seeking opportunities to engage with the broader community.
Required Skills/Experience:
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, impeccable attention to detail, and a proactive approach to your work.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to build donor relationships.
• Highly organized and self-motivated, capable of working independently or as part of a team.
• A collaborative, creative, problem solver who is eager to contribute wherever needed.
• Optimistic and positive outlook with a commitment to the highest ethical standards.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and integrity; ability to safeguard confidential information.
• Ability to analyze data for informed decision-making.
• Strong planning and time management skills, with adaptability to changing priorities.
• Proven success in cultivating and stewarding donors and soliciting five- to six-figure gifts.
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s Degree required, advanced degree in a relevant field preferred.
• At least 4 years of successful fundraising experience, preferably in a cultural institution.
• Familiarity with Raiser’s Edge or similar fundraising software/CRM, as well as Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends as required for events.
Physical Requirements:
The Major Gifts Officer is a full-time, exempt position, based at the administrative offices in Shelburne. The job requires the ability to stand and/or work on a computer for long periods of time; walk up and down stairs multiple times throughout the day and lift at least 25 pounds.
Compensation and Benefits:
• Shelburne Museum offers a generous benefits package including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance & AD&D and Short/Long-Term Disability.
• Combined time off up to 160 hours per year, 8 hours for your birthday, and 8 hours for community service leave.
• Employees may contribute to the Museum’s Retirement plan, effective 1st of the month following their start date. After one year of service employees are eligible for a 2% Match and 3% Safe Harbor contribution, paid for by the Museum.
• Other benefits include free Museum access for immediate family members and an employee discount at the Museum store and café.
To apply:
To apply, please email our Human Resources department, , and provide a Cover Letter and an updated Resume (pdf format preferred). For further information, please visit our careers page, Please note that any offer of employment is contingent upon a clear background check.
Shelburne Museum is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. If you’d like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the EEO brochure to view your rights.