Leadership Giving Officer

Aug 22

Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA

Anticipated Start Date: 11/30/2025

Description

Mount Holyoke College (MHC), a private liberal arts women’s college that is gender diverse, seeks a curious, entrepreneurial, and mission-driven fundraiser to join the MHC Development team as Leadership Giving Officer (LGO) during a time of renewal, vigor, and bold action as the College continues its legacy as a trailblazer in women’s education and a powerhouse of changemakers and visionaries. The LGO will be an integral member of the Development team in securing philanthropic support across their assigned region in the U.S. in support of the MHC Forward Strategic Plan, calling upon the support of a fiercely loyal and connected alum community representative of the fearless leaders and boundless learners who attend and work at Mount Holyoke. As the oldest member of the historic Seven Sisters colleges, Mount Holyoke’s history as an educational institution forged in dissent is central to its vision for the future. Rooted in a nearly 200-year history of challenging exclusion and advancing gender equity, the College remains unwavering in its support for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility—even as these values face threats. MHC has been a trailblazer in inclusive admissions policies, becoming the first of the Seven Sisters to welcome trans and nonbinary students.

With a proud legacy of global renown, the College fiercely advocates for its international student community, which represents 20 percent of students. Nationally recognized for its high level of undergraduate research, Mount Holyoke continues to invest in scholarly research and discovery. The College earned the prestigious Carnegie Classification as a baccalaureate college with “Arts & Sciences Focus and High Research,” and ranks #1 among U.S. institutions for producing graduates who go on to earn PhDs in the life sciences and STEM. Under President Danielle Holley’s leadership, the Mount Holyoke community is alive with ambition and purpose to support the MHC Forward Strategic Plan, which lays out a bold vision to ensure Mount Holyoke’s enduring excellence and transformative impact. MHC Forward sets the foundation for the College’s next comprehensive campaign, set to launch in the fall of 2026.

Mount Holyoke’s culture of principled boldness and forward-thinking momentum offers an inspiring context for the LGO to contribute to a mission deeply rooted in societal impact at a time when women’s colleges are more important than ever. The LGO reports to the Director of Leadership Giving and plays a central role in advancing the College’s strategic priorities as a key frontline fundraiser responsible for managing a portfolio of MHC alums, parents, and friends. In partnership with senior leaders and internal partners, the LGO will utilize data and research to identify and qualify prospects, develop meaningful cultivation plans, and formulate effective solicitation strategies for prospects capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more. The LGO will be an engaging and visible ambassador of the College in their assigned region and collaborate across the College Relations division to ensure a coordinated and personalized donor experience—from identification and solicitation to gift closure and stewardship.

The ideal candidate will be a values-driven, goal-oriented professional with two to four years of experience building and nurturing strong partner or client relationships to secure resources within a complex organization. The LGO must have a strong understanding of development, knowledge of higher education, and the ability to build trust and collaboration among diverse stakeholders. The successful candidate must have exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills and a collegial, team-building style with a demonstrated ability to cultivate productive, collaborative relationships. The LGO will bring curiosity, sound judgment, and a collegial spirit to a high-performing and mission-driven team. In accordance with its core values and mission, MHC is especially interested in recruiting members of diverse communities and individuals who will promote and uphold the values embodied within the College’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of approximately 120 Mount Holyoke College alum and parent prospects, guiding individuals through the full donor cycle: identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Conduct 100+ substantive donor interactions annually, including 20+ gift solicitations.
Travel frequently to engage key members of the Mount Holyoke College community with an average of 10 – 15 face-to-face visits per month.
Meet and exceed annual metric goals through caseload management, including qualification visits.
Build meaningful relationships with alums, parents, and other supporters, leading to impactful philanthropic commitments.
Participate in college-wide events and mandatory evening and weekend events.
Collaborate with colleagues across Annual Fund, Gift Planning, Principal Gifts, Research, and Donor Relations to develop and implement integrated donor strategies.
Secure Mount Holyoke Fund leadership-level annual gifts at the five- and six-figure level (Annual Fund).
Secure planned gifts in partnership with the Gift Planning team that align with departmental and campaign fundraising goals.
Contribute to a team culture centered on collaboration, transparency, and data-informed decision-making.
Participate in ongoing professional development.
Actively support Mount Holyoke College’s commitment to creating a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will bring many of the following professional qualities and experiences:

A Bachelor’s degree is required.
Two to four years of professional experience in fundraising or applicable and related fields (e.g. nonprofit, financial planning).
Knowledge of fundraising best practices and campaign planning stages, ideally with direct experience closing five- and six-figure gifts.
Desire to develop skills as a major gift fundraiser.
Demonstrated ability to cultivate and advance relationships strategically and proactively.
An unassailable sense of judgement and integrity.
Personal capacity to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to travel 35 – 50% of the time to different areas of the U.S. with occasional evening/weekend work.
Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, along with written and verbal communication.
High level of discretion and integrity in managing confidential information.
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful engagement with a diverse donor base.