Major Gifts and Corporate Relations Officer

Drive transformational impact at the intersection of art and philanthropy as a Major Gifts and Corporate Relations Officer at America's first art school and museum, where you will lead strategies that secure $10,000+ investments from visionary donors and corporate partners. In this high-impact role, you'll build powerful partnerships and shape a dynamic fundraising pipeline that advances exhibitions, academic programs, and future-focused initiatives.

POSITION: Major Gifts and Corporate Relations Officer

The Major Gifts and Corporate Relations Officer (MGOCRO) is responsible for developing and executing strategies to secure philanthropic support from individual and corporate donors with the capacity to contribute $10,000 or more.

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, this role is central to advancing PAFA's contributed revenue strategy by building, managing, and stewarding a robust portfolio of major gift prospects and corporate partners. The MGOCRO works closely with senior leadership, trustees, and colleagues across the institution to align fundraising efforts with institutional priorities, including exhibitions, academic programs, endowment growth, and capital initiatives.

This position plays a critical role in strengthening the major gifts pipeline, expanding corporate engagement, and ensuring a coordinated, data-informed approach to donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Major Gifts Strategy & Portfolio Management

• Manage and grow a portfolio of individual and corporate donors and prospects with capacity to give $10,000+.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies using a moves management framework.
• Achieve monthly performance metrics for donor engagement, including meetings, solicitations, and meaningful contacts.
• Identify, qualify, and advance new prospects through the donor lifecycle in collaboration with Development leadership.

Corporate Relations & Partnerships

• Develop and implement a comprehensive corporate engagement strategy aligned with PAFA's programmatic and funding priorities.
• Partner with the Chief Development Officer and Director of Institutional Giving to create an annual corporate funding menu.
• Cultivate corporate sponsorships, programmatic partnerships, and employee engagement opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Special Events Manager to sustain and expand corporate sponsorship of events and related initiatives.

Strategic Collaboration & Institutional Alignment

• Partner with the Director of Individual Giving to strengthen leadership giving pathways and affinity group engagement.
• Collaborate across Development and Marketing to design tailored proposals, cases for support, and donor communications.
• Support the President & CEO, Board of Trustees, and key stakeholders in major gift cultivation and solicitation activities.
• Contribute to integrated fundraising strategies that align annual, major, and institutional giving efforts.

Stewardship & Donor Experience

• Ensure high-quality stewardship, recognition, and reporting for major and corporate donors.
• Collaborate with Development colleagues to design meaningful donor engagement opportunities, including events and programmatic access.
• Strengthen pathways for converting event attendees and members into major and leadership-level donors.

Data, Reporting & Operations

• Utilize Raiser's Edge NXT (or similar CRM) to manage donor relationships, track moves management activity, and generate reports.
• Leverage research, analytics, and wealth screening tools to inform strategy and outreach.
• Monitor progress against goals and contribute to data-informed decision-making within the Development team.
• Professional Practice & Representation
• Stay informed on industry trends, best practices, and ethical standards in fundraising.
• Serve as a credible and effective ambassador for PAFA in external settings.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of Development and institutional priorities.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in major gifts and/or corporate relations.

Knowledge & Skills

• Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors at the $10,000+ level.
• Experience developing corporate partnerships and sponsorship strategies.
• Familiarity with planned giving concepts and individual giving vehicles.
• Knowledge of the Greater Philadelphia philanthropic landscape preferred.
• Proficiency with CRM systems such as Raiser's Edge NXT and standard office software.

Leadership & Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong execution and follow-through.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• High degree of professionalism, discretion, and emotional intelligence.
• Collaborative team player with the ability to work across functions and constituencies.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Additional Requirements

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for events.