POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Major Gifts Officer will play a key role in driving Ajman University’s fundraising efforts by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects, including individuals, corporations, private foundations, and key partners. This role supports the university’s mission to foster academic excellence, research, and innovation by generating sustainable financial resources aligned with strategic priorities. The officer will manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and work closely with university leadership, faculty, and the Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs to secure transformational gifts that advance the institution’s objectives.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

• Deep understanding of donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship best practices.
• Proven ability to build lasting relationships with high-net-worth individuals and corporate stakeholders.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively across university departments and leadership levels.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with advanced proposal writing ability.
• Emotional intelligence, interpersonal sensitivity, and strong negotiation dynamics.
• Analytical thinking and strategic decision-making skills to assess giving capacity and align donor interests with university goals.
• Advanced knowledge of marketing and product development strategies in a philanthropic context.
• Public speaking ability and professional presentation skills.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Relations, Nonprofit Management, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in fundraising, development, donor relations, or a related role, preferably within higher education or the nonprofit sector.
• Proven track record of securing major gifts and managing a portfolio of high-level donors.
• Bilingual proficiency (Arabic and English) is highly desirable.