Assistant/Associate Major Gift Officer

Category: Staff
Department: Development
Locations: Westminster, MD
Posted: Jul 2, 2026
Closes: Open Until Filled
Type: Full-time
Salary Type: Annually
Salary Range: $73,000.00 - $77,000.00
Position ID: 202156

About McDaniel College:

McDaniel College is a four-year, independent college of the liberal arts and sciences offering over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. One of the original "Colleges That Change Lives," McDaniel emphasizes experiential learning and student-faculty collaboration to develop the unique potential in every student. Represented by the Green Terror, over 20 athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division III Centennial Conference. A student-centered community of 1,600 undergraduates and 1,400 graduate students offers access to both Baltimore and Washington, D.C., plus a European campus in Budapest, Hungary.

This position has a budgeted hiring rate of $73,000 for the assistant rank and $77,000 for the associate rank. The position is classified as an A4. The A4 salary band for all full-time, 12-month positions at the college with this classification have a minimum rate of $50,000 and a maximum rate of $93,780. The actual schedule for exempt positions may vary based on the workload and responsibilities assigned.

At McDaniel College we value our employees by offering our full-time employees tuition remission, 403B retirement accounts, paid time off, medical insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and paid maternity and parental leave. For more information about the college's benefits, please click here to review the 2026 benefits guidebook and click here to view 2026 premium rates.

Job Description:

The Assistant/Associate Major Gifts Officer has responsibility to collaborate with the AVP for Institutional Advancement in building a program to cultivate, solicit, and steward affinity groups, alumni, parents, and friends to support the College with a particular focus on athletics and parent philanthropy. The Associate Major Gifts Officer will be responsible for raising $250k - $500k annually (annual goal may be adjusted due to extenuating circumstances such as the economy but will be established prior to the start of each fiscal year in coordination with the VP for Institutional Advancement and the AVP). They will also manage identified milestone reunion years and build reunion giving for those specific reunion classes.

Key Responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio of 125-150 parents, alumni, and friends, completing 10-15 visits per month.
• Discover, cultivate, and solicit 10-20 gifts of $25,000 or more annually.
• Write and submit 15-30 proposals for college priorities annually and involve vice presidents and college faculty and administration where applicable.
• Support the athletic campaign committee and Green & Gold ambassadors in conjunction with the alumni engagement team.
• Support the work of the Parent Family Council in coordination with the AVP for Constituent Engagement.
• Manage reunion committees and communications for a minimum of two assigned milestone reunion years.
• Participates in all prospect/tracking meetings of the Major Gifts team and participates in individual portfolio reviews in coordination with the Advancement Services team to build athletics giving.
• Steward donors by reviewing acknowledgement documents and preparing narrative and financial reports. Communicate with donors on an ongoing basis via email, mail, phone, and face-to-face meetings and coordinate meetings and site visits with college senior leadership where applicable.
• Support the College's constituent engagement model by assisting with joint efforts related to advancement, athletics and admissions and other integrated plans that impact multiple areas of the College.
• Attend and participate in college, institutional advancement, and constituent engagement events as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the AVP/Director of Development.
• Flexible and available for evening, weekend or early morning events and meetings.
• The ability to travel, as necessary.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Assistant rank will have one to three years of demonstrated success in fundraising or a similar field, preferably in an educational setting; Associate rank will have more than three years of demonstrated success in fundraising or a similar field, preferably in an educational setting.
• Demonstrated success in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects through visits, communications, and engagement preferred.
• Strong analytical and independent decision-making capability required.
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team environment critical for success.
• Valid state driver's license with two or less points and ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• The ability to recruit, motivate, and direct volunteers required.
• Maturity, good judgement, and the ability to hold confidences required.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills required.
• The ability to balance concurrent tasks necessary.
• Strong computer skills and experience with business systems and social media strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in data-based systems and business software is essential; preferably Blackbaud Raiser's Edge/NXT.
• Flexible and available for evening, weekend, or early morning events and meetings required.
• Ability to travel as needed to manage a prospect portfolio required.

Additional Information:

McDaniel College, in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate in the recruitment, admission, and employment of students, faculty, and staff in the operation of any of its educational programs and activities. McDaniel College will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment on the basis of any protected status including protective hairstyle, race, religion, color, ancestry or national origin, disability, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military status, genetic information, marital status, veteran's status, or any other actual or perceived legally protected characteristics.

Application Instructions:

To Apply

For a complete job description including essential responsibilities and to apply, please visit the college's employment webpage. Completed applications must include a cover letter addressing position qualifications and related experience, resume, and the names and contact information of three professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately. The position will be open until filled.

Please click the Apply Now button below to begin your application.