Senior Development Officer

 

Position:  Senior Development Officer (Field-based position in a major metropolitan area of interest to ACU with preference for Dallas/Fort Worth.)

 

For the purposes of ACU's Background Check and Self-Reporting Policy, this position is classified as security sensitive.

Exempt/Full time

The key principles of this job are to:

1. Support ACU's Mission: Educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world.
2. Support ACU's 21^st Century Vision: By 2020, ACU will become the premier university for the education of Christ-centered, global leaders.

Scope:  Responsible to the Director of Major Gifts for cultivating and soliciting donors for major gifts to the University.

I.   Basic Responsibilities:  These are the primary functions of the job.

1. Identify, research, cultivate and solicit prospective major donors to contribute to all areas of the University.
2. Research, develop and implement strategic plans for Capital Campaign projects, primarily directed at soliciting current major gifts.

II.  Essential Duties include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

A.    Prospect Management

1. Utilize the ACU database to obtain necessary information regarding potential major donors as well as gather additional information to update the database.
2. Establish sufficient contacts to identify potential major donors.
3. Personally visit proven and potential major donors to show appreciation and interest.
4. Solicit gifts from individual prospective donors.

B.     Strategic Planning

1. Analyze information obtained from visits with proven and potential donors to determine the preference of future fundraising efforts.
2. Develop specific strategies to move current major donors toward larger gifts and to move non-donor prospects toward such gifts.
3. Identify individuals (University staff, alumni and friends) who will serve as natural partners to cultivate and solicit prospects.
4. Oversee the execution of these fundraising strategies.

III. Professional Development Requirements:

A.    Skills

1. Communicate persuasively, effectively and listen intently.
2. Maintain a working knowledge of basic computer software programs, primarily word processing programs and the University's Banner system.
3. Maintain a broad knowledge of the University database.
4. Maintain a broad knowledge of events surrounding the University as well as a broad knowledge of the University's goals.
5. Effectively manage office, travel time, budget responsibilities and performance goals.
6. Display creative, critical thinking skills.

B.     Training Modules Required

1. Maintain involvement with certain professional organizations such as NSFRE, CASE, etc., and attend periodic training seminars.
2. Attend computer software training as deemed necessary.
3. Participate in management and organizational skill workshops as deemed necessary.

IV.   Qualifications 

ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. This position requires the employee to be a professing Christian and to be willing to support the Christian mission of ACU.

A.    Professional

1. Bachelor's degree or greater.
2. Experience in fundraising, sales, business or a similar field that required leading prospects to a positive decision.  Major gift fund raising experience preferred.
3. Self-motivated, entrepreneurial attitude.

B.     Personal

1. Display the ability to communicate persuasively and effectively, both orally and in writing.
2. Display strong interpersonal relationship skills.
3. Display strong organizational skills.
4. Display neatness in appearance.

V.   Physical Demands

1. Endure all demands associated with frequent travel such as extended driving time and numerous days and nights away from home.
2. Endure demands resulting from significant time spent researching and writing, primarily on a computer.

I understand that our mission at Abilene Christian University is to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world.  Because of ACU's commitment to this principal and my commitment to God, people and learning, my actions will exemplify integrity, service, stewardship, involvement, and excellence.

 

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