Development Officer

at  College of Saint BenedictSaint Johns University

POSITION SUMMARY

The School of Theology at Saint John’s University (SJU) invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), benefit eligible position of Development Officer.
The Development Officer (DO) is responsible for helping secure financial resource for the SOT/Sem by cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts to support the School of Theology and Seminary (SOT/Sem) from alumni/ae, parents, faculty, staff and friends of the school. By building relationships through in-person and virtual visits, written and verbal communications and proposals with individual donors, the DO is expected to create and implement effective engagement pipelines for existing and new major gift donors and prospects, and help donors fulfill their passions and interests through their giving to SOT/Sem.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Two or more years of successful advancement or fundraising experience or three years of related work experience.
• Demonstrated personal experience soliciting gifts from individuals and/or transferrable experience, which includes managing relationships, creating and presenting proposals, and other fundamental elements of client/donor relationship, sales-related management or related experience.

PREFERRED DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with educational institution, not-for-profit, seminary, or school of theology, or on behalf of a religious institution is desirable.
• Familiarity with major-gift and planned giving fundraising.
• Computer literacy. Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, donor database, and other common programs in the PC environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills are required. Ability to listen is essential. Able to ask leading questions which encourage prospects and donors to talk about themselves and their activities.
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team environment in higher education.

• To secure funds for SOT/Sem by managing a consistently shifting portfolio of 125+ current and prospective donors with the focus on expanding the Community of Hope Fellow Society ($1,000+) and moving people from events (Theology Days, Golf, etc.) into meaningful relationships with SOT/Sem.
• Establish and execute relationships that build the organization’s visibility, impact, and financial resources.
• In consultation with the Director of Development and Alumni/ae Relations, set specific dollar goals for assigned, qualified prospects based on their history of giving and the school’s knowledge of their giving potential and affinity.
• Create cultivation and solicitation plans for assigned, qualified prospects that consider the individual prospect’s interest, motivations, giving patterns and ask preferences. Execute established plans in a timely and cost-effective manner that retains and upgrades current donors and acquires new donors ensuring that solicitations are carried out, all with the goal of meeting annual and campaign fundraising goals.
• Complete appropriate follow up activities, including personal letters of thanks, and submits regular call reports on prospects/donor visits.
• Works closely with the Director of Development and Alumni/ae Relations to meet the school’s fundraising objectives.
• Attends meetings of the SOT/Sem Board and appropriate committees as required and necessary.
• Perform those duties and responsibilities as may be requested.