Major Gifts Officer

Major Gifts Officer

37.5 Hours per Week (1.0 FTE) – Permanent Position

Job Summary:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area (BBBS) currently has an exciting and rewarding opportunity for a Major Gifts Officer to join our Fund Development team. Reporting to the Manager, Fund Development, and the Major Gifts Officer will be a proactive self-starter who thrives on building long-term relationships.

The primary focus of this role will be securing new gift commitments of $5,000+ by cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding both new and existing donors. With a strong emphasis on developing new prospects—individuals, corporations, and foundations—the successful candidate will demonstrate initiative, creativity, and persistence in connecting with prospective donors whose values align with those of BBBS.

The ideal candidate will have proven experience closing major gifts at the four-figure level and above, demonstrate the ability to move donor relationships from initial contact to meaningful, lasting partnerships, and possess general experience in the non-profit sector.

The Major Gifts Officer will be part of a high-performing and collaborative Development team, comfortable working independently or in partnership with colleagues and volunteers. This individual will take ownership of their portfolio, contributing to the overall fundraising strategy while ensuring every donor interaction reflects care, respect, and a focus on shared impact.

Responsibilities:

• Identify, cultivate, and solicit philanthropic support by developing and maintaining relationships with current and prospective donors ($5,000+), including individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Develop and implement individualized donor strategies to guide supporters through the fundraising cycle.
• Increase donor contributions by nurturing meaningful relationships, understanding donor interests, and aligning them with BBBS priorities.
• Actively identify and qualify new major donor prospects, securing discovery meetings to establish and strengthen relationships.
• Liaise with senior leadership, where appropriate, to effectively cultivate, solicit, and steward donor relationships.
• Prepare briefing notes, call reports, individualized solicitation proposals, presentations, and other correspondence.
• Provide ongoing stewardship and high-touch experiences for major donors, with a focus on reporting, impact communication, and donor retention.
• Maintain donor and prospect records, ensuring accurate data entry for all solicitation activity, contact reports, and proposal tracking.
• Monitor and evaluate fundraising performance, track donor interactions, and maintain current, accurate records in the database.
• Stay informed on best practices, trends, and regulations in philanthropy and fundraising, sharing knowledge and insights with the team.
• Work collaboratively across departments and model behaviours that foster a supportive and cooperative team environment.
• Manage and grow a robust donor prospecting pipeline.

Competencies:

• Proven experience in major gift fundraising, with a track record of securing gifts from high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and corporations. Senior sales or business development experience with demonstrated success in client relationship management will also be considered.
• Strong comfort with cold calling, in-person solicitation, and relationship-building, demonstrating enthusiasm and persistence in achieving revenue goals.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships internally and externally.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multiple departments and with senior-level stakeholders.
• High level of professionalism, maturity, and discretion when handling confidential information.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks effectively, and manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in all aspects of work.
• Experience with grant writing considered an asset.
• Proficiency with donor or CRM databases and Microsoft Office applications (PowerPoint, Excel, Word).

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum three years of experience in fundraising, major gifts, or related business development.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation or willingness to pursue is considered an asset.

Pre-Employment Screening Requirements:

Successful completion of Police Check, Vulnerable Sector Check, and Child Intervention Record Check.

Why Work Here?

• Guided by our values of being people-centered, built on belonging, impact-focused, collaborative, and brave, BBBS is building a community that is a great place to work.
• We believe in creating a workplace that celebrates the diversity of our team and program participants, reflecting the communities we serve.
• We are committed to creating space for all voices, stories, and experiences to be heard and valued.
• Flexible Health & Wellness Benefits after 3 months of service.
• RRSP Group Savings Plan after one year of service.
• Free and confidential Employee & Family Assistance Program.
• Paid vacation, sick days, wellness days, and your birthday off.
• Ability to swap statutory holidays for other days of importance.
• Consistent training and professional development opportunities.
• Hybrid work schedule balancing time in the BBBS office and working from home (up to 2 days per week).
• Office closed for one week during the last week of December.

Working Conditions:

• Flexibility to work occasional evening and weekend hours.
• Extended periods of computer use.
• Ability to adapt to a dynamic and evolving work environment with multiple priorities.
• Cognitive and sensory attention required to ensure accuracy and quality of work.

Disclaimer:

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and required skills.

Salary Range: $70, 000-$75,000

Closing Date: Until a suitable candidate is found.

Submit Cover Letter and Resume To:

Human Resources

Email: hr.calgary@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants must have legal authorization to work in Canada by way of Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or a valid Canadian work permit. We thank all candidates for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.