Job Details

Major Gift Officer

Position Number: 7212307
Location: Clinton, SC
Position Type: Development and Fund Raising

Major Gift Officer

This is an exciting time at Presbyterian College.

As Presbyterian College approaches its sesquicentennial in 2030, the College is entering an exciting and transformational period of growth and momentum. The institution is preparing to launch the silent phase of a comprehensive campaign that will culminate in a public campaign celebration aligned with the College's 150th anniversary. To support this ambitious vision, the Advancement team is expanding with the addition of a new Major Gift Officer position.

This new role represents an extraordinary opportunity for relationship-centered fundraising professionals to help shape the future of Presbyterian College while joining a collaborative, mission-driven advancement team committed to innovation, stewardship, and meaningful donor engagement.

At Presbyterian College, relationships matter. Our ethos is paramount with an emphasis on the liberal arts, and our direction as a church-related institution. Our advancement culture is collaborative, energetic, mission-focused, and deeply personal. We believe fundraising is about building authentic connections, telling meaningful stories, and helping people invest in lives transformed through a liberal arts education.

This is an opportunity to:

Join a growing and energized Advancement team.
Build meaningful relationships with alumni and supporters who care deeply about PC.
Play an important role in a historic comprehensive campaign.
Partner with passionate colleagues across campus.
Help shape the future of Presbyterian College.

Candidates should bring strong communication and relationship-building skills, professional experience in fundraising, sales, higher education, nonprofit leadership, or related fields, and a genuine enthusiasm for connecting people with purpose and impact.

Experience in major gift fundraising, campaigns, or higher education is welcomed but not required.
If you are energized by working with people, inspired by mission-driven work, and excited to be part of a team building something meaningful together, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your resume and three professional references to hr@presby.edu.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, with priority given to those received by June 26. We invite you to review the job description below for a full overview of the position.

About Presbyterian College

Founded in 1880, Presbyterian College is a nationally recognized liberal arts college grounded in the ideals of service, faith, leadership, and academic excellence. Located in the historic town of Clinton, South Carolina, PC is a close-knit academic community where students are known personally, challenged intellectually, and prepared to lead lives of purpose and impact. PC is approximately 40 minutes from Greenville and Spartanburg, South Carolina and about one hour from Columbia, South Carolina. The region offers abundant opportunities for social and recreational activities, with easy access to Asheville and Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia.

Presbyterian College is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of campus life. They encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds who share their commitment to academic excellence, personal development, and service to others.

The College provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.

Position Description

Department: Advancement
Reports To: Assistant Vice President of Advancement
Classification: Full-Time, Exempt
Location: Clinton, South Carolina

Position Summary

Presbyterian College seeks a dynamic, energetic, and relationship-oriented Major Gift Officer to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward philanthropic support from alumni, parents, friends, foundations, and community partners capable of making leadership-level gifts.

The Major Gift Officer will manage a portfolio of prospective donors and play a central role in advancing institutional priorities during a pivotal period in the College's history. Working closely with advancement colleagues, academic and administrative leaders, volunteers, and the President, the Major Gift Officer will develop meaningful partnerships that inspire philanthropic investment in Presbyterian College's mission and strategic priorities.

The successful candidate will thrive in a highly relational environment, demonstrate exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, and bring a genuine appreciation for the transformative impact of liberal arts education. The selected candidate will be mission-aligned with Presbyterian College's impact as a church-related, nationally ranked liberal arts institution; engaging as a member of the community and seeking to make a difference in the lives of our students and the College.

Essential Responsibilities

Fundraising & Donor Engagement

Manage and grow a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors capable of making gifts at the major gift levels.
Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that deepen engagement and increase philanthropic support.
Conduct substantive donor visits and virtual meetings with alumni, parents, and friends of the College.
Prepare and present compelling proposals and gift opportunities aligned with institutional priorities.
Collaborate with advancement leadership, the Vice President, faculty, and volunteer leaders on strategic donor engagement.
Advance campaign priorities through intentional prospect management and relationship development.
Maintain timely and accurate donor records, contact reports, and strategy updates in the College's CRM.

Campaign Support

Support the planning and execution of the College's comprehensive campaign leading into the sesquicentennial celebration in 2030.
Assist with campaign prospect identification, pipeline development, and leadership donor strategies.
Partner with advancement colleagues to ensure coordinated and donor-centered campaign communications and experiences.

Collaboration & Leadership

Work collaboratively across the Advancement division, including alumni engagement, annual giving, stewardship, advancement services, and communications
Serve as a positive ambassador for Presbyterian College both on and off campus.
Participate in selected campus events, donor gatherings, and regional engagement activities.
Contribute to a culture of teamwork, innovation, accountability, and mission-centered fundraising.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required.
Commitment to the mission and values of Presbyterian college, as a national, church related, liberal arts college
Demonstrated success in fundraising, sales, business development, relationship management, higher education, nonprofit leadership, or a related field.
Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts of $50,000 or more.
Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Ability to build authentic relationships with diverse constituencies.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative team environment.
Willingness and ability to travel regularly, including some evenings and weekends.
Commitment to the mission and values of Presbyterian College.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience participating in campaign fundraising initiatives.
Experience in higher education or nonprofit advancement environments.
Familiarity with moves management principles and donor database systems.
Appreciation for the value of a liberal arts education and student-centered community.
Knowledge of or affinity for Presbyterian College and its mission.

To apply, visit: https://www.presby.edu/about/offices-and-services/human-resources/employment/major-gift-officer/