Major Gifts Officer

Arizona Science Center is seeking a Major Gifts Officer to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift donor prospects for both education programs and the ongoing capital campaign. This role is a key member of the development team and is accountable for an assigned share of the general operating and capital campaign goals.

About the role

The Major Gifts Officer will manage a portfolio of 50–100 major gift prospects with capacity to give $25,000+, working closely with the CEO and Senior Vice President of Development to tailor cultivation strategies and solicitation plans. This position requires a strategic thinker with strong organizational and analytical abilities, as well as the ability to navigate sophisticated philanthropic conversations involving estates, trusts, securities, and other charitable assets.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 50–100 major gift prospects with capacity to give $25,000+
• Work with CEO and SVP, Development, to tailor cultivation strategies and solicitation plans for each prospect
• Conduct face-to-face meetings, donor events, and campaign briefings to deepen engagement
• Collaborate with leadership, board members, and campaign committee members to leverage additional prospects
• Partner with external consultants to align donor outreach with campaign phases and priorities
• Contribute to the development of campaign materials, proposals, and impact reports
• Track and report on donor activity, pipeline progress, and revenue forecasts
• Ensure timely and meaningful stewardship of all major gifts
• Coordinate recognition opportunities, naming rights, and donor impact communications
• Maintain accurate records in the CRM/database and uphold donor confidentiality
• Work closely with CEO, SVP, Development, communications, finance, and program teams to align messaging and impact
• Support campaign events, site visits, and donor engagement experiences
• Participate in regular strategy sessions and campaign progress reviews

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience in major gifts fundraising, preferably within a capital campaign
• Proven track record of securing gifts of six and seven figures
• Strong understanding of planned giving vehicles and complex gift structures
• Familiarity with fundraising standards and campaign best practices
• Ability to travel locally and occasionally work evenings/weekends
• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university
• Tessitura or related database knowledge and experience highly preferred

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to compose original narratives quickly and accurately
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals
• Ability to effectively present information and interact with staff, trustees, donors, visitors, and the general public
• Basic mathematical skills, including the ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent
• Ability to solve practical problems and develop strategies of mutual benefit to both the Science Center and donors

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to talk or hear
• Frequently required to sit
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision
• Proficiency in keyboard and computer mouse skills, as well as the ability to read a color monitor

Benefits

• 21 paid days off annually, including holidays, birthdays, and vacation days
• 10 days of accrued sick time
• Professional development opportunities
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and long-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Family membership to Arizona Science Center and 600+ Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) Admission Exchange Program
• Year-round complimentary admission for the employee and one guest to the Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix Art Museum, Heard Museum, Arizona Museum of Natural History, and more

Pay

$85,000 + DOE