Development Officer - SL-2

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Vice President for Advancement, the Gift Officer will cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of approximately 80 major gift donors and prospects. This position will also actively manage a portfolio of 200 alumni focused on identification and qualification. Primarily using digital engagement strategies, special attention will be given to graduates of the last 10-20 years, with the goal of building a sustainable fundraising pipeline for the future.

The Gift Officer is a front-line fundraising position and will have the opportunity to help create relationships with existing donors and connect donors’ philanthropic interests and the priorities of the College, as well as conduct discovery work to identify and cultivate new prospects. The Gift Officer is expected to become familiar with all SUNY Canton programs and serve as the expert liaison for certain programs as determined by the Development Team. This position requires occasional travel and attendance at events on nights and weekends throughout the year.

The successful candidate will be highly organized, have proven written and oral communication skills, strong follow-through, self-motivation, a sense of initiative, the ability to build trust-based donor relationships, work collaboratively and strategically with colleagues, and possess a strong understanding of the principles, ethics, and practices of successful fundraising.

Qualifications

Required:

• Associates degree or 3-year minimum employment in higher education institution.

Preferred:

• Experience with fundraising and charitable giving, either through direct solicitation or through ancillary support roles in a fundraising organization.
• High comfort level with reaching out to and meeting new people, and ability to make strong connections that lead to productive relationships.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating effectively with staff or volunteers at various levels of engagement.
• The ability to innovate and think creatively regarding gift strategies for donors and prospects.
• Willingness and availability to travel as needed to cultivate and solicit gifts.
• Excellent oral and written communication and persuasion skills as well as planning, analytic, and problem resolution abilities.
• Energetic and self-directed with strong organizational skills, including the ability to set clear priorities and manage time well.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and make sound judgments without close day-to-day supervision.
• Knowledge of best practices in advancement, and experience and skill in using advancement software, social media and networking tools such as Raiser’s Edge, Almabase, iWave, MS Teams, Zoom, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, and work collaboratively with diverse constituencies including students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners.

Prior to a final offer of employment, the selected candidate will be required to submit to a background check including, but not limited to, employment verification, educational and other credential verification, and criminal background check.

Closing Date for Receipt of Applications

Review begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

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