Donor Liaison, Major Gifts

Donor Liaison, Major Gifts

The Philanthropies Department helps to invite individuals and families to follow the example of the Lord, Jesus Christ, as they live the two great commandments to love God and their neighbors. Giving helps members and others experience the joy and blessings of participating in God's work as they choose to follow inspiration and prophetic direction. To do this, Philanthropies facilitates and invites voluntary philanthropic giving (beyond tithes and fast offering) for programs and projects approved by the First Presidency. Philanthropies provides shared donor and philanthropic support to all CES institutions.

The Donor Liaison, Major Gifts develops and strengthens relationships with prospective and current major donors in support of approved philanthropic priorities. This role serves as the primary relationship manager for an assigned portfolio of donors and prospects, helping individuals and families identify meaningful opportunities to participate in philanthropic giving. Through relationship-building, stewardship, strategic engagement, and personalized donor experiences, the Donor Liaison helps donors connect their interests and charitable goals with opportunities to support the mission of the Church and its affiliated institutions.

Working closely with institutional leaders, Philanthropies colleagues, and other partners, this position develops and executes donor engagement strategies that cultivate trust, deepen relationships, and encourage long-term philanthropic participation. The role exercises significant independence, professional judgment, and discretion while managing complex donor relationships and representing Philanthropies to a wide range of audiences.

This is a senior-level individual contributor role on the Major Gifts team.

Responsibilities

Donor Relationship Management

Develops and maintains a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects within an assigned geographic area or area of responsibility. Builds trusted relationships through meaningful interactions, responsive service, and a deep understanding of donor interests and philanthropic goals. Creates and implements individualized engagement strategies that strengthen relationships and foster long-term participation in approved philanthropic initiatives.

Donor Education & Philanthropic Engagement

Helps donors and prospects understand the mission of Philanthropies and the impact of approved philanthropic priorities. Communicates opportunities for giving in a manner that is informative, donor-centered, and aligned with organizational objectives. Maintains a thorough understanding of institutional priorities, approved projects, and philanthropic opportunities in order to effectively connect donors with meaningful giving experiences.

Strategy, Collaboration & Portfolio Coordination

Collaborates with institutional leaders, prospect development professionals, annual giving teams, gift planning professionals, managers, and other stakeholders to support donor engagement efforts. Ensures donor information, engagement strategies, contact reports, and portfolio activities are accurate and current. Learns, understands, and uses approved record keeping systems. Coordinates donor visits, travel planning, referrals, and engagement opportunities that support cultivation, stewardship, and philanthropic outcomes.

Philanthropic Invitations & Stewardship

Facilitates conversations that help donors consider opportunities for philanthropic participation and investment. Invites donor involvement through thoughtful engagement, stewardship activities, events, visits, and other relationship-building opportunities. Helps ensure donors receive meaningful acknowledgment, feedback, and information regarding the impact of their support.

Reporting, Documentation & Resource Stewardship

Maintains accurate donor records, contact reports, engagement plans, and portfolio documentation. Monitors donor activity and engagement progress and communicates results and opportunities to leadership. Exercises sound stewardship of departmental resources, including travel and engagement budgets. Helps ensure donor information is handled appropriately and confidentially while supporting consistent operational practices across the organization.

Qualifications

Required:

• Must uphold and adhere to all policies and procedures of the Church and its affiliated charities, demonstrating ethical behavior and maintaining a professional demeanor at all times.
• Bachelor's degree and six or more years of professional experience in fundraising, development, relationship management, business development, sales, client management, higher education advancement, philanthropy, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to influence outcomes through relationship-building, communication, and service.
• Experience managing a portfolio of relationships, clients, donors, prospects, or comparable stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal, listening, communication, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in complex situations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, relationships, and projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to provide exceptional service while appropriately handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Exercises sound judgment and professionalism in interactions with donors, leaders, partners, and colleagues.
• Maintains confidentiality and appropriately handles sensitive donor and organizational information.
• Builds collaborative relationships within and across teams.
• Communicates clearly and professionally with diverse audiences.
• Demonstrates accountability, initiative, and follow-through.
• Professional, persistent, patient, and respectful demeanor with the ability to navigate differing perspectives effectively.
• Nimble with change, versatile, and optimistic with a willingness to collaborate within and across teams.
• Ability to travel frequently and work evenings or weekends as needed to support donor engagement activities.
• Ability to be physically present for donor visits, events, meetings, and team collaboration activities as needed.

Preferred:

• Advanced degree (MBA, MPA, or related field).
• Direct experience in frontline fundraising, major gifts, advancement, donor relations, or philanthropy.
• Experience working with high-net-worth individuals, business leaders, philanthropists, or professional advisors.
• Experience with donor relationship management systems and fundraising practices.

About Us

Church employees find joy and satisfaction in using their unique talents and abilities to further the Lord's work. From the IT professional who develops an app that sends the gospel message worldwide, to the facilities manager who maintains our buildingsgiving Church members places to worship, teach, learn, and receive sacred ordinancesour employees seek innovative ways to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. They are literally working in His kingdom. Only members of the Church who are worthy of a temple recommend qualify for employment. Apart from this, the Church is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment decisions on any basis that would violate U.S. or local law. Qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, national origin, color, gender, pregnancy, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or other legally protected categories that apply to the Church. The Church will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities.