Development Officer Senior

The Senior Development Officer, School of Medicine will oversee all development operations for the School of Medicine at Meharry Medical College. Reporting to the to the Associate Vice President, Institutional Advancement, with a dotted line to the Dean of the School of Medicine, this person will work closely with the Institutional Advancement team, Meharry senior leaders, and select volunteers to increase contributed revenue in support of School of Medicine students, faculty, and programs.
The Senior Development Officer is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding current and potential donors to secure gifts in support of the School of Medicine’s strategic priorities and fundraising initiatives, with a primary focus on securing support for student scholarships. This will include communicating and helping to advance key priorities within Campaign 150, the College’s ongoing comprehensive campaign, which is scheduled to close in 2027, following the 150th anniversary of Meharry in 2026.

• Under the oversight of the Associate Vice President, Institutional Advancement and in partnership with Advancement Colleagues, create a development plan to research and identify new prospects, make discovery calls, and build a portfolio ranging between 75-100 active donors and prospects with capacity to make five-, six-, and seven-figure gifts, building and nurturing relationships, and ensuring their ongoing engagement with the School of Medicine’s mission and initiatives. This portfolio will include individuals, foundations, and/or corporations.
• Build and maintain an in-depth knowledge of the School of Medicine, its funding priorities, and giving opportunities, as well as general knowledge about Meharry in oseniorrder to articulate a compelling case for support to all constituents.  
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts on behalf of the School. 
• Work with the Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations to coordinate foundation and corporation requests. Collaborate with other major gift officers on blended gift solicitations that might include support for other areas of the campaign and/or the College.
• Organize prospect visits efficiently and strategically, partnering with the Dean of the School of Medicine to cultivate and solicit select high-level prospects. Include other key Meharry faculty, staff, leadership, and/or trustees as appropriate in order to build relationships and secure gifts. Communicates with all parties via briefings, cultivation and solicitation plans/updates, and donor correspondence. 
• Manage the School’s annual giving program and efforts, including the development and implementation of specific annual giving mail/e-mail programs that cultivate and solicit unrestricted gifts.
• Develop and oversee donor recognition programs, ensuring that donors are acknowledged and appreciated for their generosity. Stewardship activities may include thank you letters, calls, events, and managing videos from students.
• Record fundraising progress via contact reports, cultivation and solicitation updates, correspondence, and other documentation; recording this information in Raiser’s Edge in a timely and effective manner.   
• Collaborate with Advancement Operations staff to create and manage reporting mechanisms that track the impact of donor contributions and communicate results to donors in a meaningful way.
• Regularly meet with the Associate Vice President, Institutional Advancement regarding prospect assignments, portfolio reviews, cultivation and solicitation strategies, and general fundraising progress. 
• Request and make effective use of prospect research as appropriate. 
• Strive to meet and exceed goals for quality monthly visits and yearly proposals, and effectively manages a large group of donors and prospects, including those in qualification.   
• Travel regionally and nationally to meet current and potential donors. 
• Monitor travel budget and expenses.   
• Represent Institutional Advancement via internal education/outreach opportunities for Meharry faculty and staff.
• Collaborate with Alumni Relations and other College departments/divisions to engage alumni and friends in meaningful ways and encourage increased levels of involvement and philanthropic support. 
• Support special projects and events designed to engage donors, showcase the School’s work, and foster donor relationships.
• Performs Other duties and special projects as assigned.