Description:
Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI) is seeking a full-time Development Officer – Regional Liaison (CNY: Buffalo to Albany) to join our Development team. MMRI is dedicated to improving the health and quality of life for all humankind. The Institute’s primary mission is to conduct high quality basic biomedical and clinical research aimed at generating knowledge and information necessary for understanding molecular mechanisms of disease and development of medical cures and treatments of tomorrow.

JOB SUMMARY

The Development Officer - Regional Liaison is responsible for identifying and visiting gift prospects in the Central New York region to research, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward them through the giving cycle; qualify newly identified prospects as future potential major-gift donors; and to secure unrestricted annual-fund level gifts as prospects are moved through the gift cycle towards a major gift. An ability to empathize with donors and clearly communicate our organization’s mission is key to achieving success in this role.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required with proven success in donor cultivation and obtaining significant gifts or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in a higher education or non-profit setting preferred, direct experience with fundraising, and volunteer management.
• Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to initiate, collaborate, implement, monitor, evaluate and advance strategic plans that support the activities of the program and contribute to the overall goals and objectives of development and fundraising.
• Superior interpersonal skills with proven ability to successfully interact and collaborate with varied constituencies in a professional manner.
• Ability to apply good judgment and proven responsible decision-making skills; tact and discretion are required to deal with highly confidential donor and prospect information.
• Must be a detail-oriented, self-starter with a demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple projects and priorities to meet aggressive timelines and challenging deadlines.
• Working knowledge of electronic mail and calendars, the Windows environment, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access, donor databases (Raiser’s Edge/NXT), Adobe Acrobat, etc.
• Must be able and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Must be able and willing to travel frequently throughout the northeast to attend relevant programs and events and to meet with current and prospective donors and leadership volunteers to further cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Assists in short and long-range planning activities and events to identify and achieve fundraising goals and objectives regarding St. John’s Weekend and/or other events.
• 25-50% travel required

• Manage and expand portfolio of gift prospects in the Central New York region.
• Make face-to-face visits with prospects to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward them along the giving cycle; qualify newly identified prospects as future potential donors; and secure unrestricted annual fund gifts as prospects are moved through the gift cycle towards a major gift.
• Collaborate with Director of Development, Director of Marketing and Communications, and Major Gifts Officer to manage a broad portfolio of gift prospects in the Central New York region at various stages of their relationship with MMRI.
• Support and collaborate with Director of Development, Director of Marketing and Communications, and MMRI’s administrative staff to develop priorities for local development and communications projects, as defined by the Director and strategic plan.
• Complete projects and tasks designed to raise awareness of MMRI and its work and mission—critical to garnering support for the Institute.
• Other responsibilities include effective collaboration and partnership with colleagues, peers and fundraising unit managers within a diverse number and variety of fundraising programs; management of regional volunteer committees, as needed; planning and management of regional events; recording activities, contacts, proposals, and strategic plans in the donor database.
• Attend in-person and virtual meetings / events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required with proven success in donor cultivation and obtaining significant gifts or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in a higher education or non-profit setting preferred, direct experience with fundraising, and volunteer management.
• Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to initiate, collaborate, implement, monitor, evaluate and advance strategic plans that support the activities of the program and contribute to the overall goals and objectives of development and fundraising.
• Superior interpersonal skills with proven ability to successfully interact and collaborate with varied constituencies in a professional manner.
• Ability to apply good judgment and proven responsible decision-making skills; tact and discretion are required to deal with highly confidential donor and prospect information.
• Must be a detail-oriented, self-starter with a demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple projects and priorities to meet aggressive timelines and challenging deadlines.
• Working knowledge of electronic mail and calendars, the Windows environment, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access, donor databases (Raiser’s Edge/NXT), Adobe Acrobat, etc.
• Must be able and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Must be able and willing to travel frequently throughout the northeast to attend relevant programs and events and to meet with current and prospective donors and leadership volunteers to further cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Assists in short and long-range planning activities and events to identify and achieve fundraising goals and objectives regarding St. John’s Weekend and/or other events.
• 25-50% travel required.