ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

History Major Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Whoi

Major Gifts Officer

Falmouth, MA · On-site

$81K - $105K/yr

... major gift prospects and donors, with a primary focus on New York City and the broader Tri-State ... WHOI is currently in the public phase of a historic $500 million comprehensive campaign, the ...

Cranbrook

Major Gifts Officer

Bloomfield, MI · On-site

$90K - $96K/yr

Major Gifts Officer Founded by Detroit philanthropists George and Ellen Booth in 1904, Cranbrook ... Create individual goals for each donor on the MGO's caseload based on the donor's history of giving ...

University of Pennsylvania

$64K - $83K/yr

This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S ... Posted Job Title Major Gifts Officer / Sr. Major Gifts Officer, Penn Nursing Development Job ...

UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND

Major Gifts Officer

Columbus, OH · On-site

$84K - $95K/yr

Major Gifts Officer The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) will manage a portfolio of approximately 125 ... Obtains information concerning financial capability, special interests, giving history, and current ...

UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND

Major Gifts Officer

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$84K - $95K/yr

Major Gifts Officer The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) will manage a portfolio of approximately 125 ... Obtains information concerning financial capability, special interests, giving history, and current ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsHistory Major Jobs

History Major information

See salary details

$288

$366

$432

How much do history major jobs pay per week?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average weekly pay for history major in the United States is $366.83, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $336.54 and $394.23 per week, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of entry-level jobs are commonly available to history majors after graduation?

History majors often find entry-level roles in museums, archives, education, publishing, research institutions, and public history organizations. Common positions include research assistant, museum technician, editorial assistant, archival assistant, and roles in nonprofit administration or government. Many of these jobs involve supporting research projects, organizing historical documents, writing content, or assisting with educational programming. With demonstrated skills and a track record of successful projects, you can advance into curatorial, editorial, educational, or management positions over time.

What is a History Major job?

A History Major job involves researching, analyzing, and interpreting historical events, documents, and trends. Graduates with a history degree can work in education, research, museums, archiving, government, law, journalism, or business. Their skills in critical thinking, writing, and analysis make them valuable in various professional fields. Many history majors also pursue graduate studies in history, law, or public policy to specialize further.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the History Major position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a History Major in the professional world, you need strong research, analytical, and writing skills, often supported by a bachelor's degree in history or a related field. Familiarity with digital archives, scholarly databases, and citation management tools such as JSTOR, ProQuest, or Zotero is highly valued. Excellent communication, critical thinking, and attention to detail will set you apart in both collaborative and independent projects. These skills are essential for interpreting historical data, presenting findings clearly, and contributing effectively in academic, museum, or research settings.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

High-paying jobs that can reach $10,000 a month without a degree include roles such as real estate brokers, sales managers, or skilled trades like electricians and plumbers who build a strong client base. Success in these fields often depends on experience, networking, and certifications rather than formal education.

What can you do with a history major?

A history major can pursue careers in education, research, archiving, museum work, journalism, public history, and government roles. These positions often require strong research, writing, and analytical skills, and may benefit from additional certifications or experience in related fields.

What are the highest paying history jobs?

High-paying history jobs include roles such as corporate historian, museum director, or university professor, often requiring advanced degrees and specialized skills. These positions typically offer higher salaries due to their expertise, leadership responsibilities, or research demands.

What careers can you have in history?

History majors can pursue careers such as historians, archivists, museum curators, history teachers, research analysts, and cultural resource managers. These roles often require strong research, writing, and analytical skills, and may involve working in educational institutions, museums, government agencies, or private organizations.
More about History Major jobs
What cities are hiring for History Major jobs? Cities with the most History Major job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of History Major jobs? The most popular types of History Major jobs are:
What states have the most History Major jobs? States with the most job openings for History Major jobs include:
What job categories do people searching History Major jobs look for? The top searched job categories for History Major jobs are:
History Major jobs near you
Infographic showing various History Major job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 7% Internship, 82% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 4% Temporary. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $19,075 per year, or $9.2 per hour.
Major Gifts Officer

Major Gifts Officer

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Woods Hole, MA • On-site

$80K - $104K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Job Summary
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven Development Director, Major Gifts to manage and grow a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, with a primary focus on New York City and the broader Tri-State region.
This frontline fundraising role will be responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individuals capable of making significant philanthropic commitments in support of WHOI's mission. The Development Director will work closely with Advancement colleagues, institutional leadership, scientists, engineers, volunteers, and donors to build meaningful philanthropic partnerships that advance ocean science, technology innovation, education, and solutions for a changing planet.
WHOI is currently in the public phase of a historic $500 million comprehensive campaign, the largest fundraising campaign in the history of ocean science. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced major gifts fundraiser to help expand WHOI's donor base, deepen engagement in a key philanthropic market, and secure transformational support for one of the world's leading ocean research institutions.
The successful candidate will be based within driving distance of Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and will be expected to be onsite regularly. This role also requires travel to the New York/Tri-State region approximately twice per month for donor meetings, events, and related activities, with additional seasonal travel to Florida and other donor markets as needed.
Application Instructions: Please submit a resume and cover letter describing your interest in WHOI and how your experience, skills, and approach to major gifts fundraising would position you for success in this role.
Job Description
Essential Functions & Duties
Major Gift Fundraising & Portfolio Management
  • Manage and grow a portfolio of approximately 125-150 major gift prospects and donors, with a focus on New York City, Connecticut, New Jersey, the Hamptons, and select seasonal markets.
  • Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors capable of making five-, six-, and seven-figure philanthropic commitments.
  • Develop and execute individualized donor strategies that align prospect interests with WHOI's institutional priorities and campaign objectives.
  • Meet or exceed annual goals for fundraising, donor visits, qualifications, solicitations, stewardship, and portfolio management.
  • Identify and qualify new major gift prospects through proactive outreach, relationship building, volunteer engagement, and strategic prospect development.
  • Prepare compelling donor communications, proposals, briefings, and stewardship materials for sophisticated philanthropic audiences.
  • Maintain accurate and timely documentation of donor activity, strategy, and next steps within WHOI's constituent relationship management system.

Donor Engagement & Regional Strategy
  • Serve as a key Advancement representative for WHOI in the New York and broader Tri-State philanthropic communities.
  • Serve as the primary development liaison to WHOI's New York Chapter and its volunteer Steering Committee, building strong and productive relationships with volunteer leaders.
  • Partner with senior leadership, scientists, engineers, and volunteers to design and execute effective cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
  • Coordinate meaningful donor engagement opportunities, including individual meetings, small gatherings, institutional events, campaign activities, and mission-focused experiences.
  • Represent WHOI at donor events, regional programs, institutional functions, and other Advancement activities.

Institutional Collaboration & Partnership
  • Collaborate across the Advancement team to ensure donor strategies are coordinated, thoughtful, and aligned with institutional priorities.
  • Partner with Development Events, Advancement Operations, Donor Engagement, and Communications colleagues to support high-quality donor experiences.
  • Use donor insights, prospect research, demographic data, and relationship intelligence to strengthen fundraising strategy and outcomes.
  • Contribute to a collaborative, high-performing Advancement culture focused on excellence, accountability, innovation, and shared success.

Required Experience & Education
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible frontline major gifts fundraising experience, preferably within higher education, science, research, healthcare, cultural, environmental, or other mission-driven nonprofit settings.
  • Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting, and closing five-, six-, and seven-figure gifts from individual donors.
  • Experience managing a major gift portfolio and using moves management practices to advance donor relationships. Strong understanding of sophisticated philanthropic environments; experience working in or with New York philanthropic networks is strongly preferred.
  • Exceptional relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage, inspire, and influence donors, volunteers, institutional leaders, faculty/scientists, and colleagues.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex ideas into compelling donor-centered messaging.
  • Strong strategic thinking, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently and collaboratively.
  • High degree of professionalism, discretion, emotional intelligence, and sound judgment, particularly when working with confidential donor information.
  • Experience using CRM systems, preferably Raiser's Edge/NXT, and proficiency with Microsoft 365.
  • Passion for WHOI's mission and the ability to communicate the urgency, relevance, and impact of ocean science to philanthropic audiences.
  • Willingness and ability to travel regularly, including to the New York/Tri-State region approximately twice per month, and to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.

Additional Job Requirements
Work Environment and Physical Requirements
This is a hybrid position with regular onsite presence in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and significant donor-facing travel. The role requires travel throughout the New York/Tri-State region, with additional travel to Florida, the Hamptons, and other donor markets as needed.
This is a moderately sedentary role that may require occasional lifting or carrying of materials up to 25 pounds.
Salary Range: 128,560-150,000
The salary range provided for this position reflects the expected minimum and maximum base pay for new hires. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as relevant skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as internal equity and market conditions. In addition to base salary, eligible employees also receive a comprehensive benefits package.
WHOI accepts applications on a rolling basis - applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to ensure full consideration. While we will continue to review applications until the position is filled, and early applicants may have an advantage in the selection process.
EEO Statement
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard 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.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Apply