Job Description

Major Gifts Officer

PBS SoCal
Burbank , CA

Application Deadline: Saturday, Oct 18, 2025

Description

Position Title: Major Gifts Officer

Department: Advancement

Supervisor: Senior Director, Principal & Major Gifts

Classification: Regular, Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Costa Mesa, CA (Hybrid)

Compensation: $100,000.00 – $110,000.00 /annually

Work with a Purpose!

PBS SoCal is looking for an experienced fundraising professional to join our organization. If you have a passion for fundraising and a strong interest in Public Media, then submit your cover letter and resume today!

About PBS SoCal

PBS SoCal tells stories that matter through original programs that reflect the diversity of the region and the full schedule of trusted PBS SoCal programs. Our content channels are available for free on internet-connected screens, including six local broadcast channels and one national satellite channel.

A donor-supported community institution, PBS SoCal sparks the sharing of ideas at in-person cultural events and community conversations as well as delivers social impact through services that prepare our most vulnerable children for school.

Job Overview

This regular, full-time, exempt position will report to the Senior Director, Principal & Major Gifts. The Major Gifts Officer will cultivate relationships with current and prospective donors, primarily in Orange County, in an effort to increase their involvement and support of PBS SoCal’s services and the organization’s mission. The Major Gifts Officer must regularly use independence and discretion in the execution of duties with limited supervision.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

65% Donor Management

• Manage and develop a portfolio of approximately 125-150 prospects and donors based in the Orange County area, serving as a key position in driving relationship-centered fundraising efforts
• Responsible for the identification, qualification, stewardship, cultivation and solicitation of prospects and donors in support of PBS SoCal’s general operations, individual programs and the organization’s initiatives
• Achieve annual performance metrics and funding goals – to be set annually
• Partner and collaborate with department leadership to determine stewardship, cultivation and solicitation strategies
• Create donor correspondence, briefings, proposals, updates and other donor communications that reflect and align with fundraising goals
• Document donor contacts (e.g. visits, calls, emails and mailings) in constituent management system following detailed and established protocols
• Compose timely Contact Reports (including Next Steps) after donor visits
• Regularly communicate with donors in person, by phone, mail, email or other communication, and document conversations
• Develop and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with colleagues and across the organization as a whole
• Attend fundraising activities and events (assist when needed)

20% Donor Strategy and Planning

• Initiate and implement donor strategies to encourage giving
• Collaborate with fellow MGOs on the development of fundraising strategies
• Actively participate in meetings (team, department, organization, other)

15% Administrative

• Create and prepare materials for donors
• Track and report on major gift progress
• Actively pursue professional learning and growth regarding PBS SoCal and the PBS system, as well as emerging trends in public media
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in legal, finance, business administration or related field preferred
• 3+ years of direct fundraising experience – specifically major and/or planned gifts
• A combination of education and experience will be considered
• A passion for public media
• Experience in major donor cultivation and solicitation
• Understanding of and commitment to the Orange County and greater Southern California communities
• Ability to exercise sound judgement, discretion, and compliance with PBS SoCal and AFP ethics policies and standards
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal skills
• Successful track record of developing strong cultivation and solicitation strategies
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage projects
• Experience in prospect research techniques and resources
• Highly organized and motivated
• Technologically savvy, with fluent use of business software systems including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and fundraising CRMs (Raiser’s Edge, preferred)

Physical Demands 

While performing the duties of this job, it is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is also required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment

The working conditions are primarily office or home environment setting. However, the position will require off-site travel within Los Angeles, CA and/or Orange County, CA to donors and/or other such locations as necessary.

Equal Opportunity Employer

PBS SoCal provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regards to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

For additional information about this position, please contact:

hr@pbssocal.org
https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=1e1533ec-89ca-4bf4-822f-2cfa02903f28&ccId=19000101_000001&type=JS&lang=en_US&jobId=552961

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