Job Details

Development and Stewardship Officer

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

This individual plays a vital role in ensuring the long-term sustainability and success of the organization by fostering strong relationships with donors and supporters. This role focuses on acknowledging, recognizing, and stewarding donors to cultivate ongoing engagement and support for the organization’s mission. Responsibilities include expressing gratitude, providing impact reports and updates, and managing donor recognition programs. The Development & Stewardship Officer collaborates with the development team to develop and implement stewardship strategies that enhance donor experiences and promote donor retention. Additionally, the Development & Stewardship Officer is responsible for raising funds and supporting the university’s mission and fundraising operation. The ideal candidate will have distinctive skills, including well-organized, keen attention to detail, excellent communication skills, a creative mindset, and a passion for event planning and fundraising. This position requires exceptional communication skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to upholding the organization’s values and ethical standards in donor relations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manage volunteer, cultivation, and stewardship activities, mailings, and related budgets, including annual endowment reporting to donors, student letter-writing to donors, graduation postcards, the President’s Christmas card, volunteer events, the Schreiner Alliance Program, and other assigned projects.
• Manage the volunteer program by recruiting, placing, retaining, and engaging community volunteers on campus in meaningful ways to help the University fulfill its mission.
• Manage the Schreiner Alliance program, including recruitment of membership, recruitment of speakers, and organizing programs.
• Develops and implements specific strategies to improve relationships with university donors including but not limited to: student letter-writing program, endowment reporting to donors, special acknowledgement of first-time donors, special acknowledgement of donors who give in consecutive years
• Works with the gift processing team to manage and oversee gift and pledge acknowledgment letters and messaging.
• Coordinate all aspects of event logistics, including venue selection, catering décor, audiovisual needs, and entertainment for the following annual Advancement events: Christmas Tea, Recognition Dinner, Board of Trustees Socials
• Through these events, ensure that our constituents have personalized event experiences that foster community and engagement.
• As appropriate, engage donors and potential donors through personal visits, community and university events, online meetings, phone calls, emails, or other strategies.
• Works to achieve and exceed annual gift income goals outlined in the development fundraising plan. Manages a portfolio of 20 constituents, develops written solicitation strategies and proposals, purposefully guides prospects to support Schreiner, and develops relationships to build lifelong friendships that encourage consistent giving and planned giving.
• Conduct comprehensive prospect research to identify and analyze potential donors’ capacity, interests, and connections to support strategic fundraising efforts.
• Works collaboratively with a development team that includes the Director of Development, the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, other development officers, volunteers, advancement services, the Vice President for Advancement, the university President, and trustees.
• Collaborate with the communications team to develop event marketing materials, including invitations, promotional emails, social media posts, and press releases.
• Utilize various communication channels to promote events and generate excitement among donors and guests.
• Provides timely, internal written reports regarding the outcomes of prospect research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities, including maintaining records in the donor management system (Raiser’s Edge).

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Three years minimum of successful work experience in a related field, including fundraising, public relations, direct marketing, and/or sales with direct personal solicitation experience preferred.
• Experience in higher education preferred.
• Excellent verbal, visual, and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with keen attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality standards of the department and University.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to work and motivate a broad spectrum of people.
• Well-organized, methodical, systematic, and critical thinker who can successfully handle competing priorities and manage projects.
• Ability to problem solve and navigate and lead through complexity.
• Ability and willingness to travel alone overnight as often as 7 nights per month and to work occasional weekends and evenings.
• Competently use Microsoft Office suite of products including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc., or be willing to learn them promptly.
• Must have a valid Texas Driver’s license, related insurance, and a good driving record.