Ignite the Future of Higher Education: Director of Major Gifts at UMF!

Are you a fundraising visionary ready to leave an indelible mark in a university setting? Do you excel at forging powerful connections and inspiring philanthropic passion? The University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) is seeking a Director of Major Gifts to join our dynamic Alumni and Advancement team and play a pivotal role in shaping our future.

This is more than a job; it's an opportunity to be a strategic partner, driving the philanthropic engine that fuels our mission. You'll be instrumental in securing transformative financial contributions, advancing UMF's strategic initiatives, and ensuring a positive, impactful giving experience for our most valued donors.

The Impact You'll Make:

As our Director of Major Gifts, you'll be at the forefront of our fundraising efforts, with a high degree of confidentiality and managerial discretion. Your core responsibilities will include:

We offer a competitive annual salary of up to $80,000 , based on your qualifications and experience.

Appointment begins no earlier than July 1, 2026.

Complete Job Description

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in fundraising or development within a non-profit organization, or in a leadership role overseeing fundraising initiatives.
• Extensive experience in providing strategic leadership and direction for successful fundraising campaigns, from conception to completion.
• Experience in utilizing donor management and stewardship software (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, Blackbaud CRM, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior engagement with and deep understanding of community engagement in the State of Maine/New England and beyond.
Membership and active participation in national, regional, and local professional organizations related to fundraising and external relations, such as the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and the Maine Public Relations Council (MPRC).

The University of Maine at Farmington offers a highly competitive benefits package for eligible full-time employees and eligible part-time employees that includes, but not limited to:

• Paid holidays plus earned vacation and sick time
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Low-cost short-term disability insurance
• Employer-paid long-term disability insurance
• Employer-paid basic life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D)
• Supplemental life insurance
• Tuition waiver program for employees and eligible dependents
• 403(b) or 457(b) retirement plans with employer contribution

How to apply:

Materials must be submitted via the "Apply Now" below. You will be required to create an applicant profile and application. Additionally, you must upload the following:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
List of three (3) professional references

Important items to know about the recruitment process:

• For full consideration, materials must be submitted by 4:30pm EST on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
• We are not able to consider applicants who require visa sponsorship .
• Incomplete recruitment materials will not be considered.
• If materials are received after the recruitment deadline, review will be at the discretion of the university.
The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screenings.