Director of Major Gifts

Edtech.com's Summary

Marshall University is hiring a Director of Major Gifts. The role involves identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects to support the Big Green Scholarship Foundation and Marshall Athletics, focusing on scholarships, capital projects, and priority initiatives. The Director collaborates with athletics leadership and development staff, manages donor relationships, executes fundraising events, and contributes to strategic fundraising initiatives using tools like data analytics and AI.

Highlights

Identify, cultivate, and secure major gifts of $10,000+ annually.

Meet or exceed annual fundraising goals based on dollars raised, donor visits, and prospect qualification.

Collaborate closely with athletics leadership, coaches, and development staff to support individual sports fundraising.

Partner with external staff to enhance donor engagement and assist with premium seating sales.

Assist in major events, donor hospitality, donor trips, and sporting events execution.

Utilize donor databases and CRM systems to track interactions, proposals, and progress.

Support long-term fundraising strategies and targeted initiatives for the Big Green Scholarship Foundation.

Leverage emerging tools such as data analytics and AI for donor identification and engagement.

Require a Bachelor’s Degree and 3–5 years of fundraising, sales, or relationship management experience, preferably in collegiate athletics or higher education.

Salary range: $55,000 - $65,000, commensurate with education, experience, and internal equity.

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Position Details

Get to Know Us!

Marshall University is a public comprehensive university with a rich history as one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in West Virginia. Founded in 1837 and named after Chief Justice John Marshall, definer of the Constitution, Marshall University advances the public good through innovative, accredited educational programs. We are located in downtown Huntington, West Virginia, with additional locations in South Charleston, Point Pleasant, Teays Valley and Beckley. Marshall University’s mission, inspired by our Vision and Creed, includes a commitment to:

Offer a wide range of high quality, affordable, and accessible undergraduate, graduate, and professional education that prepares students to think, learn, work, and live in an evolving global society.
Create opportunities and experiences to foster understanding and appreciation of the rich diversity of thought and culture.
Maintain a dynamic intellectual, artistic, and cultural life by promoting and supporting research and creative activities by undergraduates, graduates, and faculty.
Contribute to the quality of life of the community, region, and beyond through applied research, economic development, health care, and cultural enrichment.
Cultivate the development of an inclusive, just, and equitable community.

Come Meet Marshall and discover what it means to be part of the Marshall University family!

Come join our Herd!

We are committed to attracting and retaining quality faculty and staff. In doing so, Marshall University offers outstanding benefit packages to eligible employees only. (E-Class in the job posting). Marshall University Research Corporation (MURC) employees have different benefit options than those listed below.

Work week is 37.5 hrs.
A great highlight in December is that Marshall University employees receive almost two weeks off for Winter Break!
Holidays – Employees receive 13 Paid Holidays
Annual and Sick Leave – Classified Staff, Non-Classified Staff and 12-month Faculty earn up to 24 days of annual leave per year (max 360 hours) and up to 18 days of sick leave per year. ) Employee Leave
Health Insurance – Marshall University offers health insurance through West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA). There are seven (7) health benefit plans.
Educational/Tuition Benefits – Marshall University provides tuition benefits to regular employees (after probationary period) and their dependent children.
Retirement Plans – Marshall University offers retirement through Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA). Full-time benefits eligible employees must participate in the mandated retirement plan (401(a)).
Life Insurance – Basic term life insurance ($10,000) at no cost and may purchase optional life insurance coverage with pre-tax earnings.
Wellness Programs – PEIA provides various care management programs and the Pathways to Wellness program.

We are . . . Marshall!

Position Information

Position Title	Director of Major Gifts
Banner Position Number	002681
E-Class	NC - Nonclassified - .53 or >
Department	Fundraising - MU7040
Job Description	The Director of Major Gifts for the Big Green Scholarship Foundation serves as a key member of the development team, responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects in support of the Foundation and Marshall Athletics with preference to scholarships, capital projects, and priority initiatives aligned with the Foundation’s Executive Director and the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Major Gift Fundraising • Identify, cultivate, and secure major gift prospects capable of giving at $10,000+ annually. • Secure major gifts in support of athletic scholarships and priority initiatives. • Meet or exceed annual fundraising goals, including metrics for dollars raised, visits and • Actively qualify new major gift prospects through research, referrals, and engagement strategies. • Utilize current systems to track donor interactions, proposals, and progress toward goals. Collaboration & Internal Partnership • Work closely with athletics leadership, coaches, and development staff to help fundraise and collaborate with our individual sports. • Partner with our external staff to enhance donor experience and engagement opportunities and assist in the sales of our premium seating / areas. • Assist in executing major events, donor hospitality, donor trips and individual sporting events. • Build strong relationships with alumni, donors, fans, and community stakeholders. Strategic Initiatives • Contribute to annual and long-term fundraising strategies for Big Green. • Support targeted fundraising initiatives. • Assist in integrating emerging tools (e.g., data analytics, AI prospecting) to enhance donor identification and engagement. Metrics / Key Performance Indicators • Number of major gift solicitations completed • Number of donor visits (in-person/virtual) • New major gift prospects identified and qualified
Salary Range	$55,000 - $65,000; Salary is commensurate upon education, experience and internal equity
Salary Type	Salary
Time Type	Full-Time
Work Location	MU - Marshall University

Qualifications

Must be able to perform all essential job duties as outlined in the job description.

Required Qualifications

Education	Bachelor’s Degree
Experience	3–5 years of experience in fundraising, sales, or relationship management (preferably in collegiate athletics or higher education). Demonstrated success in securing major or leadership gifts, or comparable sales achievements. Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills. Ability to travel and work evenings/weekends

Preferred Qualifications

Education	Graduate Degree or specific certifications
Experience	Experience in NCAA Division I athletics fundraising. Familiarity with donor databases/CRMs (e.g., Paciolan, Salesforce, or similar systems). Proven ability to manage a donor portfolio and close five- and six-figure gifts. Understanding of collegiate athletics culture, donor motivations and the ever-changing landscape of athletics and its effects on philanthropic giving

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number	MU1276E
Open Date	07/27/2026
Close Date
Open Until Filled	Yes
Special Instructions Summary

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

* Do you have a Bachelor's Degree?
- Yes
- No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Resume
Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Marshall University
One John Marshall Drive
Huntington, WV 25755

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Original Job Description