Major Gifts Officer/Senior Major Gifts Officer

The Wharton School

Major Gifts Officer managing a portfolio of high-value donors for Wharton School. Focus on fundraising strategy, donor cultivation, and relationship management.

Posted 7/3/2026full-timePhiladelphia • Pennsylvania • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $100,000 - $125,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in donor relationship management, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Proven ability to meet annual fundraising goals while collaborating effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Major Gifts FundraisingDonor Relationship ManagementInstitutional DevelopmentStrong Communication SkillsEvent Coordination

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Portfolio ManagementProspect IdentificationCultivation StrategiesSolicitation TechniquesDatabase Management

Soft Skills

IndependenceCollaborationInterpersonal Skills

Tools & Technologies

Institutional Database

Industry Keywords

FundraisingDonor StewardshipHigher Education DevelopmentNonprofit Sector

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

maintain a top-tier portfolio of approximately 150 donors and prospects
develop strategies for and conduct identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship visits with donors and prospects
meet mutually agreed-upon annual goals for core role responsibilities
ensure pertinent prospect information and contacts are accurately recorded in the institutional database
collaborate with fundraisers across the department and University on relationship-building
coordinate cultivation events and programs

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts is required
3-5 years (5-7 years for Senior Major Gifts Officer) of progressive experience in institutional development with emphasis on major gifts from individuals and organizations, or equivalent combination of education and experience
ability to function with a high degree of independence with assigned group of prospects
experience interacting comfortably with faculty, School leadership, and CEO-level contacts
strong communication skills, both oral and written
travel and evening/weekend work required

Benefits

Comp & perks

excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families
generous retirement benefits
wide variety of professional development opportunities
supportive work and family benefits
wealth of health and wellness programs and resources