Boston University (BU), a private research university founded in 1839, seeks a collaborative, energetic, and entrepreneurial Major Gift Officer, Northeast (MGO) to join its Major Gifts team at an exciting time of growth and momentum. As BU prepares to embark on its next multi-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign, the MGO will play a pivotal role in driving philanthropy in the dynamic Northeast region, home to the largest concentration of the University’s alumni and a valued network of generous and enthusiastic donors, parents, and friends.
The BU community is alive with excitement as President Melissa Gilliam, a medical doctor, MacArthur-grant winning researcher, and adolescent health advocate assumed the University presidency on July 1, 2024. BU has always been a hub for innovation and inclusivity. It was the first university to open all divisions to female students in 1872 and one of the first to establish a study abroad program. Today, BU is one of the largest nonprofit universities in the country and its diverse community includes more than 37,557 students—a third of whom come from countries outside the United States. This inclusivity is one of the greatest institutional strengths of the University, underpinned by its commitment to making BU accessible and affordable for all qualified students through initiatives like the Century Challenge. This unique philanthropic tool greatly increases scholarship support and provides access to the best and brightest students around the world. By participating in the Century Challenge, a donor establishes an endowed scholarship fund of $100,000 or more, and the University matches the income distributed from that fund for scholarship purposes for 100 years. Under the leadership of President Gilliam, BU’s traditions of intellectual courage, academic rigor, service, openness, creativity, and the arts will serve as tools to drive the University’s next era of transformation.
The MGO will report to the Senior Director, Major Gifts, Northeast and collaborate with colleagues across the University to ensure a coordinated and thoughtful approach to all activities meant to engage prospects and donors in the region, helping to inspire higher levels of philanthropic support. The MGO will utilize data and research to identify prospects, develop meaningful cultivation plans, and formulate effective solicitation strategies to engage prospects capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more. Working closely with colleagues across Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) and partners in BU’s schools and colleges, the MGO will ensure an exceptional donor giving journey—from identification and solicitation to gift closure and stewardship.
The ideal candidate will be a values-driven, goal-oriented professional with at least five years of experience building and nurturing strong partner or client relationships within a complex organization. They should have a strong understanding of advancement, knowledge of university culture, and the ability to build trust and collaboration among diverse stakeholders. The successful candidate must have exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills and a collegial, team-building style with a demonstrated ability to cultivate productive, collaborative relationships. The next MGO will contribute to a professional work environment that rewards individual and collective success, builds confidence, and promotes diversity in all its forms. In accordance with its core values and mission, BU is especially interested in recruiting members of diverse communities and individuals who will promote and uphold the values embodied within the University’s Diversity Statement.
Application Instructions
Boston University has partnered with Talent Citizen to assist in this recruitment. Please contact President Tracy D. Welsh, Managing Associate Rachel K. Partin, and Associate José Cisneros to share your resume and cover letter via email at: bu-mgon@talentcitizen.com.
Boston University is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. Boston University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
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