Major Gift Officer, Principal & Major Gifts

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent international organization that provides medical care to people in need across more than 70 countries, guided by medical ethics, independence, impartiality, and neutrality. MSF USA supports the global movement through staff recruitment, fundraising, advocacy, and communications.

About the role

Under the direction of the Senior Major Gift Officer, the Major Gifts Officer identifies, develops, manages, and grows strategic relationships with existing major donors and prospects. The portfolio includes around 150 individuals giving over $25,000 a year, focused on the West/Midwest regions. Responsibilities include donor outreach, tracking engagement, maintaining Salesforce CRM records, assisting with regional events, and conducting research to support prospecting.

Responsibilities

• Key Account Management – design, develop and deliver the organization’s account management strategy; may personally manage a few strategic donor relationships.
• Donor Development – pursue strategic opportunities aligned with MSF‑USA’s strategy, cultivating partnerships and identifying new geographies, markets or donors.
• Donor Relationship Development – build trust and loyalty with potential donors, update donors on activities, and develop long‑term relationships especially with large corporations or foundations.
• Brand Positioning – develop brand positioning based on the brand strategy and implement brand plans.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement donor contact plans to engage, renew, and upgrade existing donors.
• Create donor‑specific solicitation plans that reflect communication preferences and funding interests.
• Serve as first point of contact for donor queries and complaints, resolving issues or referring complex matters.
• Provide donor‑centric service to ensure a positive and engaging donor experience.
• Develop and implement donor engagement plans for prospective donors, using creative outreach strategies and special engagement opportunities.
• Collaborate with MSF personnel to design and present compelling proposals aligned with donor interests and MSF priority initiatives.
• Develop and execute personalized stewardship plans, delivering timely updates, reports, and acknowledgments.
• Maintain accurate, comprehensive donor records in Salesforce CRM, tracking all interactions and supporting data‑driven decision‑making.
• Assist in planning and executing regional events to cultivate and steward major donors.
• Adapt strategies to individual donor preferences, analyze giving patterns, and identify growth opportunities.
• Balance competing priorities, anticipate obstacles, and devise creative, donor‑centric solutions.

Competencies

• Thought – understand the organization, manage complexity, and create new approaches.
• People Focus – build strong relationships, solicit feedback, and align processes with organizational needs.
• Manages Complexity – synthesize large, contradictory information to solve problems.
• Global Perspective – apply a broad, global lens to issues and adjust practices for regional needs.
• Cultivates Innovation – generate original ideas and support creative solutions.
• Results – consistently achieve outcomes, set bold goals, and demonstrate tenacity.
• Collaboration – build partnerships, share information, and value others’ input.
• Communication – deliver clear, concise multi‑mode communications and listen attentively.
• Values Differences – respect cultural diversity and confront stereotyping.
• Instills Trust – act with honesty, integrity, and reliability.
• Manages Ambiguity – operate effectively amid uncertainty and seek guidance when needed.
• Situational Adaptability – adjust approach in real time to shifting demands.

Technical Competencies

• Planning and Aligning – prioritize work to meet commitments aligned with MSF‑USA goals.
• Financial Acumen – interpret key financial indicators for better decisions.
• Tech Savvy – anticipate and adopt digital and technology innovations.
• Data Collection and Analysis – determine trends from data to support reporting and decision‑making.
• Project Management – plan and manage small projects within cost, time, and quality parameters.
• Presentation and Written Communication – convey information clearly and adapt style to audience.
• Organizational Insight – apply knowledge of MSF‑USA and the sector to advance goals.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years of development experience, preferably in Major Gifts or high‑value partnerships.
• Minimum three years of portfolio management experience with high‑value donors.
• Experience with donor databases and