Senior Major Gifts Officer
Ajman, United Arab Emirates
Job Description
Position Summary
The Senior Major Gifts Officer will play a key role in driving Ajman Universitys fundraising efforts by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects, including individuals, corporations, private foundations, and key partners. This role supports the universitys mission to foster academic excellence, research, and innovation by generating sustainable financial resources aligned with strategic priorities. The officer will manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and work closely with university leadership, faculty, and the Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs to secure transformational gifts that advance the institution's objectives.
Key Responsibilities
1. Donor Identification and Cultivation:
1. Technical:
The Senior Major Gifts Officer will play a key role in driving Ajman Universitys fundraising efforts by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects, including individuals, corporations, private foundations, and key partners. This role supports the universitys mission to foster academic excellence, research, and innovation by generating sustainable financial resources aligned with strategic priorities. The officer will manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and work closely with university leadership, faculty, and the Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs to secure transformational gifts that advance the institution's objectives.
Key Responsibilities
1. Donor Identification and Cultivation:
- Identify, research, and qualify prospective major donors using a strategic and data-driven approach.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with potential and current major donors, acting as a key university ambassador.
- Develop donor behavior analysis of major prospects and recommend tailored engagement strategies.
- Serve as a relationship manager for a defined portfolio of high-capacity prospects, including individuals, corporations, and foundations.
- Maintain ongoing communication with donors through meetings, visits, calls, and written correspondence.
- Coordinate donor visits, campus tours, and recognition opportunities in collaboration with university leadership.
- Work closely with college deans, faculty, and relevant departments to develop compelling proposals that align donor interests with institutional priorities.
- Propose and contribute major gift ideas, refining them through internal collaboration and directing them to the Chancellor or Director of Advancement for endorsement and execution.
- Lead and contribute to the creation of promotional materials and communications related to major gift initiatives.
- Execute customized cultivation and solicitation strategies to secure major gifts.
- Support and facilitate solicitation meetings for the Chancellor, Director, and other university leadership.
- Ensure appropriate donor recognition, reporting, and stewardship, aiming to turn major donors into repeat contributors.
- Act as a key liaison between Advancement, colleges, and administrative units to support fundraising readiness and alignment.
- Participate actively in Advancement team meetings, strategy development, and inter-departmental initiatives.
- Maintain accurate donor records and contact reports.
- Build and continuously update a robust donor pipeline database and ensure all activity is tracked.
- Monitor fundraising performance and provide regular reports on the progress of major gifts and donor engagement.
- Represent Ajman University at external events, conferences, and strategic donor functions.
- Assist in organizing strategic engagement activities such as business forums, donor events, or leadership dinners.
- Deep understanding of donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship best practices.
- Proven ability to build lasting relationships with high-net-worth individuals and corporate stakeholders.
- Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively across university departments and leadership levels.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with advanced proposal writing ability.
- Emotional intelligence, interpersonal sensitivity, and strong negotiation dynamics.
- Analytical thinking and strategic decision-making skills to assess giving capacity and align donor interests with university goals.
- Advanced knowledge of marketing and product development strategies in a philanthropic context.
- Public speaking ability and professional presentation skills.
1. Technical:
- Donor database management and segmentation
- Financial literacy and budgeting principles
- Marketing fundamentals and communication strategy
- Macroeconomic analysis and philanthropic landscape knowledge
- Emotional intelligence and interpersonal adaptability
- Strong leadership and collaborative mindset
- Presentation and storytelling skills
- Donor behavior analysis and empathy in donor interactions
- Conflict resolution and diplomacy
- Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Public Relations, Nonprofit Management, or a related field (Masters preferred).
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in fundraising, development, donor relations, or a related role, preferably within higher education or the nonprofit sector.
- Proven track record of securing major gifts and managing a portfolio of high-level donors.
- Bilingual proficiency (Arabic and English) is highly desirable.
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Job Detail
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Job IdJD1860555
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IndustryNot mentioned
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Total Positions1
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Job Type:Full Time
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Salary:Not mentioned
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Employment StatusPermanent
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Job LocationAjman, United Arab Emirates
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EducationNot mentioned