Development Officer

University of Lynchburg • Lynchburg, VA

34d • $72,000 - $76,000

About The Position

The Development Officer is responsible for assisting in identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding gifts from the leadership gift level of $10,000 to $25,000 and above from alumni and other constituents to support the University of Lynchburg and its students, both athletes and non-athletes. The qualified candidate will manage a portfolio of approximately 100+ donor prospects and will conduct a minimum of 10 personal visits a month, entailing virtual meetings, local and regional travel. This position must work independently and collaboratively with the advancement team and other stakeholders such as the Athletic Director, senior administration, deans, department heads and others. The candidate will be an individual who has demonstrated a progressive experience in leadership and major gifts. The selected candidate will develop long-term relationships with various constituencies and help develop a pipeline of prospective donors. The Development Officer will assist donors by helping them fulfill their passions and interests through giving to the University of Lynchburg to further support the students we serve.

Requirements

• Minimum of three to five years of experience in higher education fundraising or related field and experience in direct sales or gift solicitation
• Strong organizational, verbal, and written communication skills along with qualities of initiative and leadership
• An ability to work well with key members of the University's internal and external audiences
• Freedom and willingness to travel and work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends.
• Bachelor's degree required

Nice To Haves

• Background in athletic fundraising preferred
• Master's degree preferred

Responsibilities

• Fundraising Strategy: Develop and execute a supporting fundraising plan for the athletics department, including the athletic annual fund and specific team needs.
• Donor Relations: Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of prospects and donors, with an emphasis on securing leadership and major gifts of $10,000 or more.
• Team-Specific Giving: Work directly with coaches and athletic staff to identify and fund priority projects and needs for 600+ student-athletes across multiple sports.
• Collaboration: Partner with the broader advancement team to align athletic fundraising efforts with the university's overall campaign goals and priorities.
• Events and Engagement: Plan and execute fundraising events, campaigns, and stewardship activities to engage alumni, parents, and fans, and promote a culture of philanthropy within the athletic and broader communities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Educational Services