Leadership Gifts Officer

Leadership Gifts Officer

Posting Number S01612JP

Department Leadership Gifts

Job Summary

Through their work forging relationships and securing major gifts, the Leadership Gift Officer will have the ability to significantly impact the College’s principal commitments, including access and opportunity for all deserving students, a life-changing academic experience and support for career exploration leveraging the Bowdoin network as students become graduates.

This position is tasked with building relationships and raising major gifts from individuals connected to Bowdoin College. Responsibilities include identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects and donors from within the alumni, parent, and friends communities; maximizing capital and annual gifts to the College; establishing long-term relationships with major donors; working in collaboration with other offices in development and alumni relations, and across campus, to meet the college’s fund-raising objectives. Specific regional territory assignments remain under consideration and will be shared with finalists as part of the search process.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

• Developing and executing development strategies to secure support from individuals at the major gifts level ($100,000 and above).

• Developing and stewarding a personal caseload of prospects and establishing long-term donor relationships with the College.

• Preparing reports, briefings materials, correspondence, proposals, and related documents for solicitation of major gift prospects.

• Scheduling visits for the president, deans, faculty, volunteers and accompanying them when appropriate.

• Understanding the culture of a small, highly selective liberal arts college and effectively articulating the College’s mission to alumni, parents, and friends.

The hiring range for this position is expected to be: $107,500 – 120,500.

BENEFITS AND PERKS

• A variety of health insurance plans (Medical, Vision, Dental)

• Generous Retirement Plan – 401(a) and 403(b)

• Life and Disability Insurance

• Paid Time Off: 20 days of vacation per calendar year, 12 days of personal/sick time

• Paid Holidays and Special Days Off: https://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/our-workplace/college-holidays-and-special-days-off.html

• Paid Parental Leave (Available after one year of service)

• Household access to many of the College’s facilities including the gym and pool

• Free fitness and wellness classes!

• And more: https://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/benefits-perks/index.html

Education/Skills Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.

• Ability to cultivate and build superior relationships with high end donors for purposes of identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of gifts to the college.

• Excellent writing and speaking skills are necessary.

• Strong organizational skills and analytical skills.

• Familiarity with computer systems and the willingness to use those systems.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, working both independently and as a member of a team.

Experience Requirements and/or Equivalents

• 5+ years of successful fund-raising or related experience required with a strong preference for experience in leadership gift work.

• Experience with Microsoft 365, Google Suite, and fundraising database systems such as Raisers Edge.

• Frequent coordination with other offices of development and college relations.

• The ability and willingness to travel up to 40% of the time. A valid Driver’s license and the ability to meet the requirements of the College’s Motor Vehicle Use Policy required.

• Absolute confidentiality, professionalism and discretion required.

• Commitment to the mission and goals of Bowdoin College.

• An understanding and a belief that fund-raising is a team sport.

• Willingness and ability to be on campus for weekend and evening events throughout the year.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in this posting to be considered for hire.

Standard Work Days and Hours

Administrative hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm often with work after 5:00 pm or weekends. This is an exempt position requiring time commitment necessary to satisfactorily complete job requirements. Frequent travel required.

This position is hybrid-eligible for qualified candidates residing in Maine, after completing an adaptation period.

We regret that Bowdoin College is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions.

Employment at Bowdoin College is contingent upon satisfactory completion of applicable background checks including but not limited to: criminal records, educational verifications, driving records (when job-related), and/or credit history (when job related).

About Bowdoin

Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented students, faculty and staff—with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among other factors.

We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.

Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.

Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.

Shift

Employment Category Full Time Year Round

FTE 1.00

Benefits Eligible Yes

Pay Type Salaried

Background Check Package Requirements Administrative Staff + Credit

Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Bowdoin vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job? Yes

Is a pre-placement physical required for this position? No

Posting Date 09/23/2026

Applications Accepted Until

Open Until Filled No

Type of Posting Internal/External

Special Instructions to Applicants

If selected as a finalist, you will be required to submit information for three references, including name, email address, phone number and how you know the reference.

EEO Information

Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.

Supplemental Questions