Development Officer, Parent Gifts

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Overview As a member of the Parent Gifts team, the Development Officer will raise meaningful philanthropic gifts from non-alumni parents in support of the university. With a portfolio of donors and prospects capable of leadership- level annual gifts and major gifts, the Development Officer will report to the Director of Parent Gifts and participate in a dynamic program to engage generous families.

• Identifies, cultivates and solicits Yale parents who are capable of making major gifts to the university by traveling around the country for in-person meetings with prospects.
• Develops and maintains a portfolio with families in qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship phases.
• Acts as liaison among the Office of Development, university Officers, various university departments and donors.
• Solicits 6 and 7 figure gifts as well as leadership annual fund gifts from donors directly and working with volunteers, administrators and other department colleagues. Develops, writes and presents proposals appropriate to donor's interest and financial situation.
• Develops solicitation plans and meets activity and revenue goals. Promotes positive donor relations. Raises annual and major gifts to fund university programs and enhance development efforts of Schools and Units, with an emphasis on key university funding priorities.
• Determines and executes events and programs in support of development activities in their region. Assesses success of development events and programs and recommend changes.
• Interacts with external contacts such as volunteers, alumni, friends and other prospective donors to cultivate and solicit gifts. Proactively engages development volunteers in a variety of ways, including identification, cultivation, solicitation and events.
• Evaluates various gift opportunities and giving vehicles; recommends the most suitable for a particular donor.
• May perform other duties as assigned

Required Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to effectively engage constituents through strong interpersonal and communication skills, including emotional intelligence and business writing.
• Goal oriented with strong problem-solving skills, flexibility, persistence, and a positive outlook.
• Strategic time manager with capacity to work both collaboratively and independently.
• Readiness to travel regularly and to attend occasional evening and weekend events.
• Ability to earn the respect and trust of donors, university administrators and development colleagues, while maintaining strict confidentiality with sensitive information.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills

Experience in event planning or project management.

Principal Responsibilities

• Identifies, cultivates and solicits Yale parents who are capable of making major gifts to the University; create and present proposals for consideration according to donor's interest and financial situation. 2. Initiates and maintains contact with prospective donors. 3. Acts as liaison among the Office of Development, University Officers, various University departments and donors. 4. Solicits major gifts from donors directly and working with volunteers, administrators and other department colleagues. Develops, writes and presents proposals appropriate to donor's interest and financial situation. 5. Develops financial solicitation programs and meet activity and revenue goals. Promotes positive donor relations. Raises major gifts to fund University programs and enhance development efforts of Schools and Units, with an emphasis on key University funding priorities. 6. Devises and recommends cultivation and solicitation strategies. Determines and executes events and programs in support of development activities. Recognizes disinterested donors and devise strategies to redirect their interests. 7. Interacts with external contacts such as volunteers, alumni, friends and other prospective donors to cultivate and solicit gifts. Proactively engages development volunteers in a variety of roles, including identification, cultivation, solicitation and events. 8. Interacts with internal contacts such as Deans, Directors, faculty, officers and other development staff to consult on University needs, formulate proposal strategies and identify potential donors. 9. Evaluates various gift opportunities and giving vehicles; recommends the most suitable for a particular donor. Assesses success of development events and programs and recommend changes. 10. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of four years of experience in fundraising or a related field, preferably in higher education or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

Job Posting Date

06/23/2026

Job Category

Professional

Bargaining Unit

NON

Compensation Grade

Development

Compensation Grade Profile

Development Officer, Parent Gifts (Ungraded)

Salary Range

0.00 - 0.00

Time Type

Full time

Duration Type

Staff

Work Model

Hybrid

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.

Posting Disclaimer

Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.