Development Officer, School of the Arts

Samford University•Main Campus - Homewood, AL

About The Position

The Development Officer represents Samford University’s School of the Arts in relationship-based fundraising and is responsible for seeking major gifts for the university and school. Performance is measured using personalized university-specific and industry-informed metrics, including visits, contacts, calls, submitted proposals, and secured gifts. The officer manages and grows a portfolio of prospects to secure major gifts of $25,000 or more, and develops strategies to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward assigned prospects and proposals. The role works with university leadership and advancement colleagues to advance Samford’s mission, vision, and goals, and identifies and refers estate, trust, and planned-giving prospects to the university’s Director of Gift and Estate Planning.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least three years of relevant professional experience.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Self-motivation and the ability to work independently and exercise prudent judgment in a fast-paced environment.
Computer literacy and technical competency to use computer systems and databases for routine work.
Ability to maintain prospect activity in the university database, currently Blackbaud FPM.
Positive, donor-centric approach and ability to collaborate courteously and professionally with university colleagues.
Commitment to the Christian mission of Samford University.
Ability to establish, cultivate, and steward strong professional relationships with stakeholders.
Ability to occasionally lift or move boxes and office materials weighing up to 15 pounds.
Ability to remain sitting or standing in a stationary position for extended periods as required by job duties.
Reliable transportation and willingness to travel regionally and nationally, and to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Air travel required.

Nice To Haves

Experience in higher education or nonprofit fundraising.
Demonstrated track record of securing major gifts.

Responsibilities

Represent the School of the Arts as a development officer.
Identify major-gift prospects through prospect research, tracking goals, analyzing data, and maintaining individual prospect activity in the university database, currently Blackbaud Fundraiser Performance Management (FPM).
Manage and grow a portfolio of prospects to secure major gifts of $25,000 or more.
Complete at least 120 in-person visits per year to qualify or disqualify major-gift prospects.
Develop strategies for qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of a predetermined number of major-gift proposals per year from assigned prospects.
Coordinate deans’ and academic leaders’ involvement in meaningful interactions with prospects and other constituents as needed.
Work with the Assistant Vice President for Development and other advancement team members to support and advance Samford University’s mission, vision, and goals.
Identify and refer estate, trust, and planned-giving prospects to the Director of Gift and Estate Planning.
Collaborate with the development team to advance shared university fundraising priorities.
Assist the Dean of the School of the Arts with identifying and recruiting new advisory board members.
Perform other duties as assigned.