What does a Director of Corporate Relations do?
Major gifts officers have a leadership role in overseeing the high-level giving or fundraising efforts for a nonprofit organization or university. They steer strategic planning initiatives, and have an active role in all major activities and decisions. They are involved in all phases of the fundraising process, from cultivating prospect lists and developing donor outreach campaigns all the way through to the stewardship arrangements. They lead and supervise a team, plan and implement fundraising campaigns, and ensure compliance with all policies and procedures.
Major gifts officers typically have a bachelor’s degree in a business field, and a background in the nonprofit sector. They should have experience in fundraising and donor relations, and leadership capabilities. Strong marketing skills and experience developing innovative outreach campaigns are helpful.
- Assist the DDO in executing campaign and major donor related events.
- Ensure consistent and appropriate contact, facilitate or make solicitations, and ensure effective stewardship.
- Develop strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donor prospects.
- Maintain a portfolio of Major Giving donors/prospects.
- Manage information flows between donors and prospects, program staff and Officer(s).
- Assist in identification and qualification of new prospects and donors in the region.
- Coordinate virtual and in-person meetings to cultivate donor and prospect relationships.
- Lead the annual appeal and other individual giving campaigns.
- Prepare written materials such as proposals, solicitations, reports, and appeal letters.
- Record and report key metrics through use of internal tracking systems.
- Provide customer service for donors as a primary point of contact.
- Actively manage a portfolio of approximately 50-75 prospects with specific cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies for each assigned prospect.
- Coordinate and orchestrate prospect movement strategies with the appropriate deans, college senior leadership, and faculty, and work in tandem to assure the highest and best use of time, budget and personnel.
- Work collaboratively with the development operations team to facilitate reporting, research, and analysis
- Assist with proposal/concept development, including management, writing, and ensuring high quality, successful submissions to individual and private foundation donors.
- Make arrangements for meetings with major donors, including scheduling with all parties involved and keeping the momentum for arranging meetings with donors.
- Bachelor's Degree in business.
- A natural leader and problem solver.
- Collaborate with donors and team members comfortably.
- Demonstrated attention to detail and critical thinking skills.
- Is a skilled time manager and dedicated to donor renewals.
- A creative thinker with a sense of humor.
- Comfortable making decisions.
- Demonstrated sound judgment.
Director of Corporate Relations Salaries
Average Base Pay
Director of Corporate Relations Career Path
Learn how to become a Director of Corporate Relations, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Director of Corporate Relations Insights
Maui Jim“I was an intern here for 6 months and it was the best internship ever!”
Ravinia Music Festival“Everyone was kind and great to work with.”
Salisbury University“State benefits and paid holidays.”
National Theatre“Pay isn’t great (know I could earn more if I went elsewhere)”
Beth Israel Lahey Health“top notch reputation; world class care locally”
Syneos Health “Salary is not as expected”
Bank of America“Not very good work life balance”
ProHealth Care (WI)“no advancement opportunity in my field”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of a Director of Corporate Relations
When working as a Director of Corporate Relations, the most common skills you will need to perform your job and for career success are Prospects, Microsoft Office Suite, Excellent Organizational, Relational Database and Excellent Customer Service.
- Fundraiser
- Business Development Manager
- Sales Manager
- Sales Representative
The most common qualifications to become a Director of Corporate Relations is a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree and an average of 0 - 1 of experience not including years spent in education and/or training.