Development Officer

Findlay•Lexington, MA

17h•Onsite

About The Position

This posting is for a full-time, 12-month, exempt position. The Development Officer will build and manage relationships connecting those with financial capacity to strategic University priorities in their areas of interest. These gifts should target endowment, capital, annual, and programmatic projects with special emphasis on unrestricted giving. The Development Officer will develop an annual plan to qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward alumni, parents and friends for major gifts to support priority funding needs of the university. The position carries a portfolio of prospects (approx. 150 prospect households) and will utilize staff and departmental resources to focus on prospects who can have the most significant impact to the University, its students and its programs.

Requirements

Associate’s degree required, bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent combination of relevant experience.
Three years of professional experience.
Computer literacy, including familiarity with the internet, word processing, spreadsheet, E-Mail, scheduling and database software programs.
Experience in fundraising or transferable skills.
A valid US Drivers’ license with a safe driving record is required.
The energy and ability to travel 5 to 10 days a month.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience working with volunteers.
Candidates with a background in higher education fund raising and a history of successfully soliciting gifts of significance is preferred.
Other candidates with backgrounds in professions with transferable skills will also be considered, e.g. sales, marketing, communications, etc.
Three years of relevant experience.
Experience with Blackbaud's Raiser Edge/ NXT software.
Experience in development and higher education or other non-profit.

Responsibilities

Work with the Assistant Vice President for Development to develop an annual work plan that will include annual solicitation plans and the identification of top prospects to cultivate, solicit and steward.
Develop strategies for each prospect being solicited in the new fiscal year, along with a schedule of $25,000+ solicitations to be completed in the fiscal year, expected number of days for prospect travel, the number of face to face meetings with major gift prospects, the number of campus visits by major gift prospects, and the cultivation and stewardship events they will plan for the year ahead.
Travel within their assigned geographic region(s) as necessary to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward financial support for the University.
On average, schedule a minimum of 130 meaningful contacts (moves) per year (12-15 face-to-face visits with constituents each month).
Solicit 15-20 gifts of $25,000 or more each fiscal year.
Work in a collaborative fashion with staff in the Wolfe Center for Alumni, Parents and Friends, and the offices of Annual Giving, Planned Giving, Corporate Engagement, Advancement Services, Marketing and Communications, Athletics, Mazza Museum, as well as academic units across the campus.
Help create a portfolio of tools for the efficient operation of the major gifts program. These will include monthly activity reports, prospect profile reports, trip report formats, briefing templates for officers and volunteers of the university, proposals for university priorities, pledge forms, and special donor recognition initiatives.
Work collaboratively with the Director of the Center for Alumni, Parents and Friends and with college deans to establish groups of alumni, parents and friends within their assigned region that help promote University engagement.
Provide support for university advancement division events, as appropriate.
Ensure the timely completion of activity reporting in the advancement database system (Raiser’s Edge/NXT).
Ensure the timely completion of travel expense reporting within 25 days following each trip.
Maintain electronic records of contacts with prospects, ensuring confidentiality as defined by the University of Findlay in all aspects of the program.
Perform other duties deemed appropriate for the position.