Director of Major Gifts
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Job Summary
The Director of Major Gifts position plays a crucial role in fundraising activities, particularly in soliciting major gifts, and will be focused on building key relationships for the benefit of the Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI) and the Huntsman Mental Health Foundation (HMHF). This role involves establishing and nurturing relationships with high‑profile prospects to support initiatives critical to the HMHI and the HMHF. The director will identify and manage a portfolio of predominantly major gift prospects capable of making gifts of $50,000 and greater. The director will identify, cultivate, and solicit major gifts utilizing strategic prospect and donor engagement plans while collaborating with senior administrators, HMHF and University Advancement staff to align fundraising efforts with organizational goals.
Reports jointly to the Chief Philanthropy Officer/Deputy Chief Philanthropy Officer at University Advancement and the VP of Philanthropy at the HMHF, providing regular updates and reports on the progress of fundraising activities.
Responsibilities
Utilizes fundamentally sound fundraising practices to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects through the development cycle.
Manages relationships within a portfolio of at least 75 major gift prospects and donors capable of predominantly making gifts from $50,000 to $1M.
Expands the donor base and creates effective engagement pipelines for both new and existing major gift prospects and donors.
Collaborates with senior administrators, HMHF staff, University Advancement colleagues, and others to align fundraising efforts with overall goals.
Ensures predetermined fundraising goals and performance metrics are met.
Serves as a passionate and informed ambassador for Huntsman Mental Health Foundation and Huntsman Mental Health Institute.
Prepares donor briefings, proposals, and follow‑up communications to support solicitation and stewardship efforts.
Supports donor engagement activities, events, tours and other cultivation opportunities as appropriate, including assistance with events as needed.
Performs other duties and supports special initiatives as appropriate.
Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing, or related field (or equivalent experience). Five to seven years of demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, sales, relationship management, business development, or related field.
Skills in planning, organization, execution, and accountability to meet predetermined performance goals and metrics. Strong human relations and effective communication skills.
Ability to identify, cultivate, and solicit major gift prospects; manage relationships with high‑profile prospects; design and implement strategic fundraising campaigns; and expand donor base through active management of a major gift prospect portfolio. Must collaborate with senior administrators and staff to align fundraising efforts with organizational goals.
Preferences Experience in major gifts fundraising within higher education or nonprofit setting, including capital campaigns or large‑scale institutional fundraising initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to build relationships and engage donors or stakeholders meaningfully, with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Comfort engaging with high‑net‑worth individuals and team player with positive attitude immersed in the Utah community. Proficiency in using constituent relationship management software to track engagement activity and progress. Demonstrated critical thinking, sound reasoning, and judgment.
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Reports jointly to the Chief Philanthropy Officer/Deputy Chief Philanthropy Officer at University Advancement and the VP of Philanthropy at the HMHF, providing regular updates and reports on the progress of fundraising activities.
Responsibilities
Utilizes fundamentally sound fundraising practices to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects through the development cycle.
Manages relationships within a portfolio of at least 75 major gift prospects and donors capable of predominantly making gifts from $50,000 to $1M.
Expands the donor base and creates effective engagement pipelines for both new and existing major gift prospects and donors.
Collaborates with senior administrators, HMHF staff, University Advancement colleagues, and others to align fundraising efforts with overall goals.
Ensures predetermined fundraising goals and performance metrics are met.
Serves as a passionate and informed ambassador for Huntsman Mental Health Foundation and Huntsman Mental Health Institute.
Prepares donor briefings, proposals, and follow‑up communications to support solicitation and stewardship efforts.
Supports donor engagement activities, events, tours and other cultivation opportunities as appropriate, including assistance with events as needed.
Performs other duties and supports special initiatives as appropriate.
Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing, or related field (or equivalent experience). Five to seven years of demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, sales, relationship management, business development, or related field.
Skills in planning, organization, execution, and accountability to meet predetermined performance goals and metrics. Strong human relations and effective communication skills.
Ability to identify, cultivate, and solicit major gift prospects; manage relationships with high‑profile prospects; design and implement strategic fundraising campaigns; and expand donor base through active management of a major gift prospect portfolio. Must collaborate with senior administrators and staff to align fundraising efforts with organizational goals.
Preferences Experience in major gifts fundraising within higher education or nonprofit setting, including capital campaigns or large‑scale institutional fundraising initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to build relationships and engage donors or stakeholders meaningfully, with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Comfort engaging with high‑net‑worth individuals and team player with positive attitude immersed in the Utah community. Proficiency in using constituent relationship management software to track engagement activity and progress. Demonstrated critical thinking, sound reasoning, and judgment.
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