Manager, Development

Joliet Junior College•Joliet, IL

32d•$64,853 - $72,959

About The Position

The Development Manager supports the philanthropic goals of the Joliet Junior College Foundation by leading the planned giving program and cultivating relationships with prospective legacy donors. This role also manages the Foundation’s signature Night of Stars event and oversees the daily operations of Raiser’s Edge and Financial Edge to ensure effective use of Blackbaud systems. Additionally, the Development Manager collaborates with the Director of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations and Communications team to promote major gifts and scholarships. Some early morning, evening, and weekend hours are required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
A minimum five (5) years of proven experience as a fundraising professional with direct involvement in cultivating and stewarding high-level donors.
Demonstrated experience in planning and coordinating special events.
Advanced experience in use of computer-based constituent relationship and financial management systems.
Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills with a professional and donor-centered demeanor.
Budgeting, program planning and organizational abilities.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet goals within deadline.
Demonstrated ability to work as an assertive, energetic leader with a high degree of creativity, enthusiasm, initiative and diplomacy.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with other members of the college and community, displaying cultural competence as well as emotional intelligence.
Demonstrated commitment to the college’s core values of respect and inclusion, sustainability, integrity, collaboration, humor and well-being, innovation and quality.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in communications/English, marketing, management, business or a related field.
Advanced experience with Blackbaud's Raisers Edge and Financial Edge.
English and Spanish verbal and written communication proficiency.
Demonstrated multicultural competence.

Responsibilities

Lead and expand the Foundation’s planned giving program by utilizing tools and strategies to engage, cultivate, and steward potential legacy donors. Create and implement communications and events designed specifically to engage donors with the potential to make planned gifts or bequests.
Plan, coordinate and execute events within the Foundation, including all aspects of the annual Night of Stars fundraising event and the President’s Holiday Party.
Manage and maintain the Foundation’s Raiser’s Edge and Financial Edge systems to ensure data accuracy, reporting reliability, and effective system usage. Serve as the point person for Blackbaud system troubleshooting and staff training with the assistance of the financial administrative assistant, ensuring the Foundation fully utilizes available database tools and resources. Generate regular data reports and analytics to monitor fundraising progress and guide strategic planning and donor outreach.
Process financial transactions, including cutting checks, when necessary, while ensuring compliance with financial procedures and documentation standards.
Work closely with the Director of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations to develop social media content that highlights major gifts and promotes new scholarships to increase visibility and donor engagement. Partner with the Communications team to coordinate timely and strategic announcements of new endowments and significant donor contributions. Identify, cultivate, and steward major gift prospects through personalized outreach and recognition events. Responsible for endowed donor stewardship, including a yearly endowment report.
Assume special project responsibilities as assigned by Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and Director of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations.
Perform related duties as assigned.