Our Mission

We in Boston University Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) harness the power of philanthropy to make an excellent education accessible and welcoming to all, and to advance BU’s global leadership in research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice. To support our work, we have built—and are continuing to build—an outstanding team of dynamic, mission-driven advancement professionals who constantly strive to create an environment where everyone belongs. Where it’s not just about a job, but a career and a community.

Now, our Schools-based development team is looking for a Major Gift Officer who will advance a wide range of fund-raising priorities for the College of Communication.

College of Communication at Boston University

Established in 1947, the College of Communication (COM) at Boston University is a large college department specializing in Journalism, Film & Television, and Mass Communication, Advertising and Public Relations. COM’s student population exceeds 2,000 annually, including undergraduates, graduate, and PhD’s. The College integrates a strong liberal arts core with a heavy focus on preparing students for careers as communication professionals. Our faculty is a blend of traditional academics and widely experienced professionals. Located in the “hub of education” and a major media market, Boston University’s College of Communication offers students, faculty, and staff wealth of opportunities for collaborative efforts in academic and professional spheres.

Major Gift Officer

The Major Gift Officer (MGO) at the College of Communication will manage a portfolio of Major Gift ($100,000) prospects consisting of alumni, parents, and friends. The MGO will be primarily responsible for identifying and cultivating prospective donors, as well as developing solicitation and stewardship strategies. To be effective in this role, the MGO must also coordinate and manage relationships with College of Communication faculty and staff, peers on the central University Major Gift team, senior administrators, alumni, and volunteers when necessary.

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with central University Development (DAR) colleagues to solicit leadership gifts at the $100,000+ level. Engage in 120+ face-to-face prospect visits (averaging 10/month). Solicit 10 prospects for $100,000+ gifts per year in collaboration with the College of Communication DAR team and other University partners. Travel regularly as assigned to regions and other markets as necessary to qualify and cultivate key alumni, parents, and friends of COM. Plan and staff travel and other meetings as necessary with COM Dean and other key faculty and staff members.
• Conduct independent prospect research through both internal data bases and external methods including but not limited to LinkedIn, Google, and other publications. In conjunction with the College of Communication DAR team, as well as central University DAR, create and execute thoughtful cultivation and stewardship plans for prospects within your portfolio and others in the central MGO team.
• Participate in the creation of yearly strategic fundraising plan for the College of Communication. Create a yearly plan for pipeline development through discovery, cultivation, and stewardship.
• Work regularly with the respective teams in DAR. Provide appropriate education, coaching, training, and briefing materials regarding the College of Communication to our central University Development colleagues.

Required Skills

A cover letter is required for consideration.

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5+ years of relevant experience, which could include sales and business development in a complex organization.
• Outstanding track record of building and developing customer relationships.
• Strong understanding of development and philanthropy. Experience in dealing with major gift prospects required.
• Effective experience in enlisting and interacting with senior level leadership volunteers and committees, both internally and externally.
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Understanding of the University culture and process for decision making and program development required.
• Comfort level working in a team-oriented environment required, but also must be results oriented and a self-starter.
• Ability and willingness to travel required

But that’s not all we’re looking for; we want someone who embodies our values:

• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect , because we value every member’s contributions and know that leadership can come from anywhere.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion , and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.
• Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.
• Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.
• Continuous growth and improvement , both as individuals and as a team.
• Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.

If this resonates with you and you want to help us in our ambitious next campaign—and maybe do some of your best work as an advancement professional— we encourage you to apply. **** If you are hesitant to apply because you have not previously performed every responsibility listed in the description, but you do possess transferable skills and the defined qualifications, we still want to hear from you and welcome your application as well.

To learn more about Development & Alumni Relations at Boston University, and other job opportunities, please stop by the DAR Talent website: https://www.bu.edu/dar-talent/.

Please note all newly hired staff and faculty will need to be in compliance with Boston University’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Requirement within 30 days of date of hire. You must upload your vaccine documentation or request a medical or religious exemption ( instructions ). For further information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please visit the COVID-19 Resources site.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, 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. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617-358-1796.

Required Experience

A cover letter is required for consideration.

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5+ years of relevant experience, which could include sales and business development in a complex organization.
• Outstanding track record of building and developing customer relationships.
• Strong understanding of development and philanthropy. Experience in dealing with major gift prospects required.
• Effective experience in enlisting and interacting with senior level leadership volunteers and committees, both internally and externally.
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Understanding of the University culture and process for decision making and program development required.
• Comfort level working in a team-oriented environment required, but also must be results oriented and a self-starter.
• Ability and willingness to travel required

But that’s not all we’re looking for; we want someone who embodies our values:

• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect , because we value every member’s contributions and know that leadership can come from anywhere.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion , and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.
• Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.
• Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.
• Continuous growth and improvement , both as individuals and as a team.
• Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.

If this resonates with you and you want to help us in our ambitious next campaign—and maybe do some of your best work as an advancement professional— we encourage you to apply. **** If you are hesitant to apply because you have not previously performed every responsibility listed in the description, but you do possess transferable skills and the defined qualifications, we still want to hear from you and welcome your application as well.

To learn more about Development & Alumni Relations at Boston University, and other job opportunities, please stop by the DAR Talent website: https://www.bu.edu/dar-talent/.

Please note all newly hired staff and faculty will need to be in compliance with Boston University’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Booster Requirement within 30 days of date of hire. You must upload your vaccine documentation or request a medical or religious exemption ( instructions ). For further information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please visit the COVID-19 Resources site.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, 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. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617-358-1796.