Development Officer

PolicyTech•Villanova, PA

17d

About The Position

Ignite Your Career at Villanova University! Whether undergraduate or graduate, faculty or staff, each community member brings with them a wealth of experiences that enrich our University and shift our perspectives. As a part of this community, your work will improve lives and ignite change! Why work at Villanova? Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University’s founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others. Villanova has been included among the nation’s best colleges and universities. VU’s inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best Colleges” rankings is another indication of the University’s continued prominence and forward momentum. Villanova’s most precious asset is our people. As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more . Villanova University has embarked on a 10-year strategic plan, Rooted. Restless., with the goal of enhancing the Augustinian Catholic living and learning experience for all members of our community. University Advancement is seeking exceptional talent to join our mission-driven team working together toward our shared vision for Villanova, fueled by the generosity of the University’s philanthropic supporters as we “keep moving” in the spirit of St. Augustine in the public phase of Villanova’s comprehensive capital campaign: Espiritus Nova. The Development Officer, under the supervision of the Director of Leadership Annual Giving, will establish and manage effective relationships with leadership annual giving prospects. The Development Officer will identify and qualify donors capable of increasing their annual support and/or making multi-year commitments. The Development Officer will implement successful cultivation and solicitation strategies for these donors in support of the University’s unrestricted designations and Strategic Plan priorities. The Development Officer will assume stewardship responsibilities for prospects visited. The Development Officer will also collaborate across the Annual Giving team, taking part in engagement and solicitation programming and events, and contributing to the planning and execution of 1842 Day, Villanova’s annual Day of Giving, with particular focus on challenges and sponsorship gifts. The Development Officer is expected to conduct 13-15 prospect visits per month and manage a portfolio of 150 prospects per year, the majority of whom have gift capacity of $25,000 to less than $100,000 . Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
1-3 years of successful frontline fundraising experience or related non-profit advancement work, preferably in higher education. Professional sales experience may be considered as part of overall fundraising experience.
Strong interest to demonstrate success in frontline fundraising required.
Commitment to higher education and a strong desire to associate with Villanova University and champion its mission required.
Ability and willingness to travel required.
Strong verbal and written communication skills required.
Must be results-oriented.
Ability to function with a high degree of independence with assigned group of prospects, yet interact collaboratively with colleagues, participating in and contributing to total team effort.
Knowledge of general office equipment, including use of lap top computers, required.

Responsibilities

Frontline Fundraising: Identify and manage a portfolio of approximately 150 prospects, rated between $25,000 and $99,999 with a focus on increasing their annual support and/or securing multi-year commitments of $12,500+ (minimum of $2,500 annually) in support of unrestricted funds and strategic priorities. Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects through in-person meetings. Develop solicitation and stewardship strategies to meet monthly and annual fundraising goals.
1842 Day: Contribute to the success of 1842 Day by securing donor gifts and sponsorships. Support the planning and execution of the Challenges and Sponsorships strategy in order to leverage major gifts to encourage increased donor participation on 1842 Day. Provide logistical support, participate in donor stewardship efforts and assist with pre-event and day-of tasks and events as needed.
Blackbaud FPM : Effectively use Blackbaud’s Fundraiser Performance Management ( FPM ) to identify and assess prospects through tools such as Targeter, data viewports and the six-square segmentation predictive modeling assessment to guide outreach strategy.
Donor Inquiries: Serve as a point of contact for general donor inquiries received via email, phone, mail or social media. Assist with special projects and events as assigned, including support for Homecoming, Reunion weekend and other University Advancement initiatives.