Donor Liaison, Major Gifts

Key Hiring Process Dates: Posting closes 9/23/2026 at 11:55 PM; one‑way interview invitations sent by 9/25/2026; one‑way interviews due 9/27/2026; in‑person interviews 10/6/2026; final interviews week of 10/12/2026 – 10/16/2026. Schedule is subject to change.

About the role

The Philanthropies Department invites individuals and families to follow the example of the Lord, Jesus Christ, by living the two great commandments to love God and their neighbors. Philanthropies facilitates voluntary philanthropic giving (beyond tithes and fast offering) for programs and projects approved by the First Presidency and provides shared donor support to all CES institutions. The Donor Liaison, Major Gifts serves as the primary relationship manager for an assigned portfolio of donors and prospects, helping them identify meaningful opportunities to participate in philanthropic giving. Through relationship‑building, stewardship, strategic engagement, and personalized donor experiences, the Donor Liaison connects donors’ interests and charitable goals with opportunities that support the mission of the Church and its affiliated institutions. This senior‑level individual contributor role works closely with institutional leaders, Philanthropies colleagues, and other partners to develop and execute donor engagement strategies that cultivate trust, deepen relationships, and encourage long‑term philanthropic participation.

Responsibilities

• Donor Relationship Management: Develop and maintain a portfolio of major‑gift donors and prospects; build trusted relationships through meaningful interactions, responsive service, and a deep understanding of donor interests; create and implement individualized engagement strategies that foster long‑term participation.
• Donor Education & Philanthropic Engagement: Help donors and prospects understand Philanthropies’ mission and approved priorities; communicate giving opportunities in an informative, donor‑centered manner; maintain thorough knowledge of institutional priorities, approved projects, and philanthropic opportunities.
• Strategy, Collaboration & Portfolio Coordination: Collaborate with institutional leaders, prospect development professionals, annual‑giving teams, gift‑planning professionals, managers, and other stakeholders; ensure donor information, engagement strategies, contact reports, and portfolio activities are accurate and current; use approved record‑keeping systems; coordinate donor visits, travel planning, referrals, and engagement opportunities.
• Philanthropic Invitations & Stewardship: Facilitate conversations that help donors consider philanthropic participation; invite involvement through stewardship activities, events, visits, and other relationship‑building opportunities; ensure donors receive meaningful acknowledgment, feedback, and impact information.
• Reporting, Documentation & Resource Stewardship: Maintain accurate donor records, contact reports, engagement plans, and portfolio documentation; monitor donor activity and engagement progress and communicate results to leadership; steward departmental resources, including travel and engagement budgets; handle donor information confidentially and support consistent operational practices.

Required qualifications

• Uphold and adhere to all policies and procedures of the Church and its affiliated charities, demonstrating ethical behavior and a professional demeanor.
• Bachelor’s degree and six or more years of professional experience in fundraising, development, relationship management, business development, sales, client management, higher‑education advancement, philanthropy, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders and to influence outcomes through relationship‑building, communication, and service.
• Experience managing a portfolio of relationships, clients, donors, prospects, or comparable stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal, listening, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in complex situations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, relationships, and projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to provide exceptional service while handling confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
• Professional, persistent, patient, and respectful demeanor with the ability to navigate differing perspectives effectively.
• Flexibility, optimism, and willingness to collaborate across teams; ability to travel frequently and work evenings or weekends as needed; ability to be physically present for donor visits, events, meetings, and team collaboration activities.

Preferred qualifications

• Advanced degree (MBA, MPA, or related field).
• Direct experience in frontline fundraising, major gifts, advancement, donor relations, or philanthropy.
• Experience working with high‑net‑worth individuals, business leaders, philanthropists, or professional advisors.
• Experience with donor relationship management systems and fundraising practices.

About us

Church employees find joy and satisfaction in using their unique talents and abilities to further the Lord’s work. From IT professionals who develop apps that send the gospel worldwide to facilities managers who maintain buildings that provide places to worship, teach, learn, and receive sacred ordinances, employees seek innovative ways to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. Only members of the Church who are worthy of a temple recommend qualify for employment. The Church is an equal‑opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment decisions on any basis that would violate U.S. or local law. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, national origin, color, gender, pregnancy, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or other legally protected categories. Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with known disabilities.