Career Center
Posted: 07-Nov-25
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Type: Full-time
Internal Number: R4123
Welcome to the official site for employment opportunities at MICA. At MICA, we empower our employees to use their talent in a variety of ways. We are pleased that you are interested in career opportunities offered at MICA.
Job Title: Major Gifts Officer
Department: Advancement
Division: Advancement
FLSA Status: Exempt
Grade: 9
Range: $76,100 - 98,900
Union: SEIU Local 500
Reports to: Vice President, Advancement
General purpose: The Major Gifts Officer position manages a portfolio of assigned and qualified donors, cultivating relationships, soliciting high-level gifts and assuring that donors are retained and upgraded in their giving and involvement and promotes inclusion of MICA in donor's estate plans. This position is responsible for meeting the financial goals set for the position and creating monthly and other timely reports to track portfolio performance and activity. Dedicated front line development professional focused on identification of new prospects and cultivating strong relationships on behalf of MICA.
Summary of Essential Functions:
Build and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects with special focus on individual donors.
Identify, research, qualify, engage, cultivate, solicit and steward major prospects who have the capacity and inclination to make a gift of $20,000 and above to MICA.
Work effectively both independently and as part of a team using a donor centered approach to bring the best possible outcome for our constituents and for MICA.
Proposal based fundraising requiring excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Work collaboratively with the Vice President for Advancement and the rest of the Advancement team in the planning and implementation of major gift fundraising activities.
Actively assume assignment and responsibility for identification, cultivation, and solicitation of a full portfolio (100-150) of major gift prospects.
Actively utilize a disciplined prospect management system to research, identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors.
Help in building high end annual giving gifts and participate in Advancement events.
Partner with assigned academic divisions to initiate new cultivation opportunities, based on the strategic plan for various targeted constituent groups in order to identify and cultivate new prospects for the institution.
Implement a program of intense, fast-track major gift prospect discovery and cultivation by focusing on face-to-face visits with prospects to share information, identify areas of interest, and encourage their involvement in and financial support of MICA.
Create written strategic action plans for top prospects with the intent of deepening relationships on behalf of the College, leading to increased comprehensive giving including annual, capital, and deferred gifts.
Negotiate planned as well as outright gifts.
Collaborate with the Alumni in planning and implementing a regional solicitation network, seeking to build a long-term volunteer leadership pipeline and encouraging increased giving.
Deepen alumnae and parent engagement through one-on-one meetings, regional events, and volunteer opportunities.
Craft and present compelling proposals aligned with the institutional priorities.
Draft major gift grant proposals for individuals and family foundations.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to serve as an effective advocate for art and design education.
Maintain best interests of MICA first in all interactions and circumstances.
Ability to work effectively in a team environment with staff at all levels within the organization.
Superior verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to support College administrators and volunteer leaders in effective solicitations.
High level of discipline around process.
Demonstrate consistently good judgment, tact, and ability to develop and nurture positive working relationships both within and outside of MICA.
Must be efficient in prioritizing work on simultaneous projects, while be adaptable.
At ease with mobile technology and social media savvy.
Minimum qualifications:
Bachelors degree or equivalent in a related field.
Minimum 5 (five) years of demonstrated fundraising accomplishments at the major gift level with individuals, a stable employment history with increasing levels of responsibility at each career juncture. Candidates with transferable experience from other fields like sales or marketing will be considered.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with higher education and arts/cultural organizations.
Reporting to this position: No direct reports.
Conditions of Employment:
Satisfactory background check
Some travel and evening and weekend duties required.
Physical demands and work environment:
Physical Demands: While performing the duties of job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. (may be adjusted depending on position)
Work environment: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.
Required training: Exhibitions Department Installation Guide and Policy handbook, MICA Handbook orientation, Anti-Harassment, Hazard Communication, Emergency Plans & Fire Prevention, Personal Protection Equipment. (additional training may be added, SEE: EHS Manager training schedule)
Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.
Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, U.S. mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.
MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 410-225-2363.
