Position Summary:

Development Officer - Manages a portfolio of alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations to raise funds for the university. Will identify, qualify, cultivate, and solicit donors through various means including regional and occasional out-of-state travel for in-person donor visits, and will assist in the design, implementation, and management of programs to secure, retain and increase annual giving. Overall knowledge of OCU’s history and current programs as well as a deeper understanding of the university’s strategic fundraising priorities will be critical in effectively communicating the case for support. Effective listening skills and enduring enthusiasm for OCU is a must. The Development Officer is responsible for meeting key fundraising metrics including meaningful personal contacts and successful solicitations while also building and advancing strong relationships with the university for current and prospective donors.

This position reports to the AVP for University Development.

Development Officer Team Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate an attitude and behavior that reflects the values and mission of the division and University.
• Embrace key values of the University’s advancement program—passion for OCU, partnership with donors, perpetual support for OCU and a people-centered approach—and demonstrate support for them through professional interactions and activities.
• Manage a dynamic portfolio of approximately 125 donors/prospective donors to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward connecting donors’ interest with the needs and priorities of the university. Determine and manage an appropriate and effective strategy for each prospect. Oversee follow-up strategies for each donor prospect and stewardship activities.
• Develop and engage a travel schedule to meet with alumni and donors based on assignments in alignment with strategic goals.
• Facilitate a required average minimum of 15 -20 OCU-oriented, substantial, personal visits per month.
• Develop strategic fundraising plans and solicit annual leadership gifts through the Bright Society (gifts of $2,000+).
• Develop and lead 1-2 other fundraising projects annually, such as Parent Giving and Reunion Giving programs.
• Develop and monitor annual fundraising goals and strategies in collaboration with Advancement leadership in support of overall objectives.
• Work collaboratively with volunteers, members of the University Advancement team, and university leadership (academic and administrative) to cultivate and solicit donors for the university’s priorities.
• Actively and continuously learn about the practices of fundraising and the institution through internal and external professional development opportunities, relationships, and independent study.
• Serve as the primary development liaison to 1-2 OCU colleges, working directly with Deans and leadership to build strong relationships with the school's academic leadership, faculty, staff, and alumni to connect needs with opportunities.
• Serve as point person for some donor events, coordinating all details and logistics of events with the support of the Office of Advancement’s Special Events Manager.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Ability to cultivate interpersonal relationships with a wide variety of university (and adjacent) constituents.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles and techniques including successful solicitation of gifts, awareness of and experience with the gift cycle, and donor bill of rights.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to work collaboratively and successfully with colleagues, prospects/donors, faculty, administrators, and volunteers to achieve common goals.
• Strong written and oral communication skills and ability to translate internal information to an external audience, deliver effective presentations, contribute to persuasive communications, etc.
• Proficiency in common software programs and applications. Working knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or similar donor management database system is preferred.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the role OCU’s diverse academic programs as well as higher education in general play in our society today as well as in the future.
• Ability to think strategically, critically and creatively.
• Ability to work independently while also comfortable working in a collaborative, dynamic environment; adaptable to change and self-motivated.
• Consistently embody a professional, energetic, enthusiastic, ethical attitude and behaviors.
• Ability to travel occasionally (including the ability to ensure transportation to donor appointments and meetings at a variety of off-campus locations) in addition to working evenings and weekends as needed to accomplish job responsibilities and fulfill the mission of the department and the university.
• Commitment to handle confidential matters with discretion.
• Strong project management ability, including composing and executing project process documents, recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers, and overall ownership of a project from inception to completion.

• A bachelor’s degree is required. Preferred areas of study include humanities, social sciences, communications, marketing, and business-related disciplines.
• A minimum of two years of work experience, preferably in higher education, fundraising, non-profit, or related fields.
• A suitable combination of education and experience may be substituted for minimum qualifications.

This position is hybrid-flexible after a successful introductory period.

The salary range is $40-45,000 commensurate with experience and qualification.