Job Summary:
The Advancement Officer is primarily responsible for the student and parent annual giving and philanthropy. The Advancement Officer is tasked with strategic planning and execution of fundraising efforts targeting students and parents. This includes managing specific campaigns, cultivating volunteers, and actively engaging in solicitation activities across various donor levels. The Advancement Officer will be soliciting gifts at all levels.
Who we are:
Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is the first technological research university in the United States. We bring creativity, science, and technology together to address society's greatest challenges. We cultivate exceptional problem-solvers by immersing them in a culture of rigorous inquiry, disciplined practice, and hands-on application. Our strategic plan, RPI Forward, charts a pioneering course for the next era of RPI. Explore the RPI Forward plan.
Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, RPI is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and the IBM Quantum System One - the first university-based quantum computer in the world.
With top notch employee health and retirement benefits, Rensselaer offers its full-time employees a generous paid time off program, tuition remission, and opportunities for career growth.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in related field
- 3 or more years experience in development & fundraising or a related field
Relevant combinations of education, training, and experience may be considered.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in higher education as a student life professional or front-line fundraiser with successful record of prospect development or relationship building.
- Experience managing fundraising volunteers.
- Experience working with parents
- Experience soliciting gifts over $1,000
- Experience planning and implementing events.
- Valid driver's license
Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to cultivate, solicit and steward donor prospects
- Ability to develop and maintain effective relations with donors, including understanding donor motivation, and developing and sustaining donor commitment
- Ability to effectively facilitate discussions and effectively engage in public speaking
- Ability to promotes and implement processes to build effective donor relationships
- Ability to collaborate with others including own team/department, others across the organization and externally where appropriate
- Ability to work effectively individually and as a group/ team member exploring options, making decisions and seeking support when appropriate
- Ability to develop and contribute to the use of digitally integrated fundraising activities and effectively use analytics
- Ability to plan and implement programs, projects and/or events including identifying specific requirements and developing project plans
- Ability to work with colleagues and portfolio leadership to implement change initiatives that enhances the donor experience
- Ability to collect, analyze and manage relevant information, including prospect research
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet established goals and objectives
- Ability to multi-task, handle multiple projects and deadlines
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office or equivalent
- Ability to learn and use discipline specific technologies including database management software and web-based communication tools
Representative Job Duties:
- Manage a parent giving program by expanding the number of participating volunteers and maximizing solicitation opportunities and follow up. Build and maintain relationships to encourage involvement and support. This may include organizing events, meetings, or communications to keep them informed about the Institute’s needs and successes
- Manage a student giving program by expanding the number of participating volunteers and maximizing solicitation opportunities and follow up. Build and maintain relationships to encourage involvement and support. This may include organizing events, meetings, or communications to keep them informed about the Institute’s needs and successes
- Manage the crowdfunding for student clubs/organizations) by expanding the number of participating volunteers and maximizing solicitation opportunities and follow up
- Collaborate with Student Experience to ensure parent and family messages are aligned from all Portfolios
- Collaborate with Student Experience to ensure student messages are aligned from all Portfolios
- Utilize the database and prospect tracking system to record asks, moves, and outcomes including contact reports, proposals, tasks, rating/staffing changes, and pledges promptly and accuratel
- Perform additional duties assigned by Director or designee
Shift:
Business Hours with weekends or evenings occasionally required
Travel:
Occasional travel to attend donor meetings, alumni and family events, and other Institute-related activities.
Driving:
Incidental driving may be required to attend donor meetings, volunteer engagements, and Institute events.
Starting Salary/Rate:
Expected hiring range: $75,000 - $76,500
Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.
Application instructions:
Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.
If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.
Job Posted Date:
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Total Compensation and Benefits Information:
Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is committed to the cultivation of a community that is welcoming, inclusive, and above all values learning. We welcome candidates who bring a variety of perspectives to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's work and campus communities. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or other characteristic protected by law.