MAJOR GIFT OFFICER II OF DEVELOPMENT & ALUMNI

ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND MEDICINE:
 

The University of Maryland Medicine philanthropy team is a joint initiative uniting the fundraising endeavors of the University of Maryland Medical Center and University of Maryland School of Medicine. This strategic partnership exemplifies a commitment to revolutionizing healthcare through transformational philanthropy. With a mission centered on the pillars of education, research, patient care, and community partnership, our collective focus is set on securing philanthropic support that will fuel excellence in every endeavor of our academic medical center enterprise.
 

UMM is welcoming new team members who are eager to maximize their professional skills and leverage their experience to create a collaborative, best-in-class fundraising model. Team members will be encouraged to use their unique expertise and perspectives to bring their work to life, contributing to the larger mission. Embracing a range of perspectives and experiences will be essential to driving creativity, strengthening relationships, and achieving meaningful results.
 

POSITION SUMMARY:
 

The University of Maryland School of Medicine is seeking a dynamic and relationship-driven Major Gift Officer II of Development to join our team. Reporting to the Executive Director of Development for Alumni, this role is dedicated to securing major gifts from medical alumni, including former residents and fellows, with a focus on commitments of $50,000 and above—often reaching six figures and beyond.
 

As a frontline fundraiser, the Major Gift Officer II will cultivate meaningful relationships with physician alumni and serve as a trusted partner in advancing the School of Medicine’s mission. The role will work in close collaboration with senior leaders, including the Associate Dean for Development and the Assistant Dean for Development, to align strategy and amplify alumni engagement efforts. Key partnerships will also include the Medical Alumni Association of the University of Maryland—an independent, external 501(c)3 that operates separately from the University.
 

The ideal candidate brings a blend of professional presence, credibility, and emotional intelligence to engage medical professionals as peers. They must be comfortable representing the Dean and faculty leadership in high-level conversations, translating complex scientific and clinical priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
 

This is a unique opportunity to help alumni reconnect with their medical education roots while supporting the School’s future. By tapping into their deep pride and loyalty, the Associate Director will inspire investments that strengthen one of the nation’s leading academic medical institutions—driving innovation, advancing care, and supporting the next generation of physician leaders.
 

Benefits (Exempt Regular): 
 

UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development, along with additional exciting perks that employees can take advantage of.  This position participates in a retirement program (pension or optional retirement plan/ORP) that must be selected and is effective on your date of hire. Exempt regular staff receive a generous PAID leave package that includes over 4 weeks of vacation accrued each year, 15 paid holidays, 3 personal leave, unlimited accrual of sick time, and comprehensive health insurance; professional learning and development programs; tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any University System of Maryland school; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job). 
 

UMB is a public university and constituent institution of the University System of Maryland.  All employees are expected to work primarily physically within the State of Maryland. 
 

Essential Functions:
 

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 80-100 major and principal gift donors. The Associate Director for Alumni will identify and evaluate the giving potential of high end affiliated and unaffiliated major and principal gift prospects through personal visits and research; and manage the cultivation and solicitation of planned giving prospects.
  Engage directly in major and principal gift cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for prospective donors with the potential to make gifts of more than $50,000. The Associate Director for Alumni will be expected to conduct a minimum of 85 cultivation and solicitation visits a year, including the preparation of written proposals, soliciting at least 18 major gifts per year, and individually closing gifts totaling at least $1.25 M annually.
   
• Coordinate philanthropic strategy and engagement efforts in support of the Medical Alumni Association Reunion Weekend, leveraging the event as a platform to strengthen alumni connections and advance fundraising goals.
   
• Collaborate with Medical Education faculty and School of Medicine Development team and leadership to implement strategies for securing major gifts from assigned alumni. 
   
• Partner with academic departments to engage former residents and fellows through strategic cultivation, personalized solicitation, and meaningful stewardship efforts.
   
• Solicit gifts directly and prepare briefs for senior colleagues for solicitations.
   
• Collaborate with and Assistant VP for Planned Giving to broaden planned giving support from alumni.
   
• Work with faculty to identify fundraising priorities, develop a broad case for support, and implement strategies for securing major gifts.
   
• Travels extensively regionally and nationally for discovery, cultivation, and stewardship with alumni prospects.
   
• Strategic and oversight direction of special alumni initiatives
   
• Other related duties as needed.

Education: Bachelor's degree.

Experience: Four (4) years of philanthropy experience with one (1) year of managing prospects in a higher education or equivalent fundraising experience required. Fundraising experience in an academic medical setting and/or working with alumni is preferred.     
 

Other:
 

Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 undergraduate college credits being equivalent to one year of related experience. In instances where specific education and/or experience is required only directly related education and/or experience may be substituted.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
 

• Proven experience in major gift fundraising, with a strong commitment to active donor engagement, including regular travel and a results-driven approach to building relationships and securing significant philanthropic support. 
   
• An ability to work with faculty, staff, and senior administration to develop major gift donor opportunities.
• An ability to establish strong collaborative ties with faculty and senior administration in achieving fundraising objectives.
   
• Demonstrated knowledge of fundraising best practices, with the ability to apply strategic, data-informed approaches to donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
   
• Results-driven professional with a proven ability to move prospects through the development cycle and secure major gifts within defined timeframes. 
   
• An ability to gain an appropriate familiarity with all of the school’s various departments, centers, institutes, and programs, and be able to represent the whole of the school and all of its units to alumni prospects.
   
• Strategic and analytical thinking skills coupled with the ability to solve problems and make decisions.
   
• An ability to prioritize ongoing and new projects, as well as conduct research and gather information.
   
• Oral/written communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
   
• Flexibility in the performance of other duties as required or assigned by the Executive Director of Development, Alumni.     
   

Hiring Range: $88,000 - $100,000, commensurate with education and experience 
 

UMB is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce and is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, sex, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, marital status, protected veteran's status, or any other legally protected classification. 
 

If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request. You may also contact [email protected]. Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address. 
 

The University of Maryland, Baltimore prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. Read the UMB Notice of Non-Discrimination for more information.