Alumni Relations Officer jobs in the United States

The South Dakota Mines Center for Alumni Relations & Advancement (CARA) is seeking a Development Officer.

The Development Officer will help increase philanthropic support to the South Dakota Mines by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, stewarding donors by employing a relationship-oriented approach to secure new, renewed, and upgraded gifts from a portfolio of individuals, corporations and foundations. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Philanthropy and working collaboratively with other members of the advancement and alumni engagement team, this position will help advance philanthropy and facilitate positive alumni relations and donor management.

Key Responsibilities

Responsible for building relationships with prospective donors in support of fundraising initiatives for South Dakota Mines, a public STEM university with more than 2,600 students.

• Manage a portfolio of leadership and major donors and prospects, including donors/prospects in key geographic regions of the country:
• Implement a strategic and consistent relationship-oriented approach to increase philanthropic support from individuals (alumni and friends), corporations, and trusts & foundations.
• Promote the importance of unrestricted giving and work to secure funds that align with the mission of the University.
• Implement effective relationship management strategies and ensure that metrics and targets are achieved and exceeded.
• In collaboration with the CARA team, identify, cultivate, and solicit major gift prospects – including corporate and planned gifts.
• Ensure key actions are recorded in database and utilized effectively to maximize relationships and philanthropic support.
• Participate in general CARA activities including staff task forces and committees, outreach activities, CARA Board and committee meetings and University fund development efforts as assigned and needed.
• Collaborate with faculty, administration and other staff about donors and gift options.
• Maintain an awareness and understanding of trends in development and new fund development techniques.
• Assist in the achievement of the overall CARA goals, plans and objectives.
• Work on other assignments as requested.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus one to two years of experience with fundraising, alumni relations, sales, marketing or external relations and engagement.
• Ability to speak and write in a persuasive manner.
• Knowledge of the understanding of human motivation and principles affecting fundraising.
• Demonstrated ability to ask for philanthropic contributions.
• Creativity, innovation, self-motivation and the ability to work in a complex organization.
• Ability to interact with the community of the university and CARA as a member of its external relations efforts.
• Ability to project a positive image of service that presents the University and CARA positively.
• Ability to understand and articulate the character and mission of CARA and the university.
• Previous development work in a college, university or non-profit preferred.

Requirements

• Good judgment, discretion and confidentiality are required in this position.
• Competence in Microsoft Office suite and donor management systems, such as Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge/NXT.
• Good time management and organizational skills.
• Position requires some overnight travel (in-state and nationally) that may last for periods of several days each month.

Salary: $65,250 - $71,000, depending on experience. A complete benefit package in included for full-time employees.

To apply send cover letter and resume to: Nancy Beets at Nancy.Beets@sdsmt.edu. Position will be open until filled, but resumes will be reviewed immediately.