Job no: 496414
Position type: full-time
Location: Lewisburg, PA
Categories: Advancement / Alumni Relations

The Annual Giving Officer, Athletics is a fundraising position in University Advancement (UA) at Bucknell University. The primary responsibility in this role is to secure annual unrestricted and designated funds through the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of alumni, parents, and friends. The AGO, Athletics is dedicated to maximizing annual gifts to the Bison Club and varsity sports and identifying potential leadership donors through frequent, required travel to conduct personal solicitations and build relationships with individual donors. Annual and Senior Annual Giving Officers, Athletics, report to the Director, Annual Fund Individual Giving. This full-time, benefits-eligible position is based in Lewisburg, PA.

All UA staff members are expected to contribute to Bucknell’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Candidates will be hired into the Annual Giving or Senior Annual Giving Officer, Athletics role following review of their skills and experience against the minimum qualifications.

Essential Functions:

Portfolio Management and Fundraising:
* Generates unrestricted and designated support towards an annual financial goal through the solicitation of an assigned portfolio of prospects through face-to-face visits, email, and telephone.
* Manages all aspects of a portfolio including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of assigned prospects. May carry a portfolio of up to 150 prospects.
* Organizes efficient trips for the purpose of meaningful and strategic donor interactions each fiscal year within assigned geographical regions (travel will include a minimum of 100 individual visits per year) while staying within an allotted travel budget. Travel should be focused on individual solicitation and donor qualification
* Conducts a minimum of 125 solicitations per year
* Participates in regular individual portfolio review and group sessions related to portfolio management and strategic travel
* Works closely with supervisor and collaborates with internal departments including but not limited to Leadership Giving, Gift Planning, Prospect Research, and Alumni Relations to develop comprehensive strategies for assigned prospects
* Works creatively, thoughtfully, and strategically to ask and secure increased gifts from an assigned portfolio of Annual Fund donors, with a focus on athletics prospects, and to develop a prospect pipeline of alumni as leadership and planned giving targets
* Collects, organizes and provides regular Athletics updates including but not limited to priorities, event information and attendees, milestones and impact statements

Documentation:
* Develops proficiency with database tools
* Enters all pertinent information including descriptive contact reports, future steps, and plans within designated time frame
* Maintains up-to-date information in the database on significant prospect contacts regarding solicitations and evaluations including capacity, prospect interests, and demographic changes

General:
* Supports Director, Annual Fund Individual Giving, with creating, coordinating, and/or disseminating reports as it pertains to regional travel and portfolio management, as requested
* Participates in division-wide and university-wide events, committees, and project teams to advance priority projects of the University
* Performs other duties as assigned

Annual Giving Officer Minimum Qualifications:
* Bachelor’s degree or 4 years of successful experience in fundraising, sales, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience
* Basic understanding of nonprofit organizations beyond simple participation in fundraising activities or events
* Demonstrates interest, enthusiasm, and knowledge of collegiate athletics
* Experience building and cultivating relationships for the purpose of fund solicitation
* Commits to responsibility of frequent travel and to organize efficient, productive itineraries
* Demonstrates organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple tasks concurrently
* Displays proficiency with electronic tools including email, calendar software, various databases and Microsoft Office suite
* Effective written and oral communication skills
* Valid U.S. driver's license

Senior Annual Giving Officer Minimum Qualifications:
* Bachelor’s degree or 4 years of successful experience in fundraising, sales, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience
* At least 2 consecutive years of direct experience conducting personal, one-to-one solicitations and building relationships with potential donors
* Demonstrates knowledge of annual, major, and planned giving vehicles
* Demonstrates interest, enthusiasm, and knowledge of collegiate athletics
* Commits to responsibility of frequent travel and to organize efficient, productive itineraries
* Demonstrates organizational skills and ability to prioritize multiple tasks concurrently
* Displays proficiency with electronic tools including email, calendar software, various databases and Microsoft Office suite
* Demonstrates understanding of and experience with prospect relationship management systems
* Effective written and oral communication skills
* Valid U.S. driver's license

Additional Requirements:
The Annual Giving Officer/Senior Annual Giving Officer, Athletics demonstrates organizational and interpersonal skills, including diplomacy, tact, discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality inside and outside of University Advancement. S/he also demonstrates an ability to function independently yet relate comfortably to a multifaceted fundraising environment, participating in and contributing to a total team effort. The successful candidate must be willing to travel extensively (including air travel and travel to major metropolitan areas).

This position requires occasional evening and weekend work to support University Advancement’s signature events including significant blocks of time during the weekend events. This also requires a commitment to attend/participate in on-campus and off-campus events/activities outside of normal business hours as appropriate.

Annual Giving Officer Preferred Qualifications:
* Familiarity with prospect/customer relationship management systems
* Bachelor’s degree
* Direct experience conducting personal solicitations in a higher education environment
* Previous experience as a collegiate student-athlete and/or coach, or athletics fundraising

Senior Annual Giving Officer Preferred Qualifications:
* Bachelor’s degree
* Direct experience with fundraising, particularly conducting personal solicitations in a higher education environment
* Previous experience as a collegiate student-athlete and/or coach, or athletics fundraising
* Possess knowledge of and commitment to NCAA rules compliance, as well as familiarity with NCAA Division I athletic programs

About Bucknell

Founded in 1846 and located along the banks of the Susquehanna River in historic Lewisburg, Pa., Bucknell University is an undergraduate-focused institution that stands uniquely at the intersection of top-ranked liberal arts, engineering and management programs. Our students choose from more than 50 majors and 60 minors in the arts, engineering, humanities, management, and natural and social sciences, as well as extensive global study, service-learning and research opportunities. Bucknell’s 3,600 undergraduate and 100 graduate students enjoy a low 9:1 student-faculty ratio and exceptional opportunities to collaborate with faculty mentors.

Bucknell’s beautiful 450-acre campus includes first-rate facilities and is home to more than 90 percent of its students. Residential life is vibrant with about 150 student-run organizations, 27 NCAA Division I athletic teams, a robust arts culture, and a strong student commitment to community and global service work.

Bucknell is committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and we seek candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports the growth and development of a diverse campus community. The University provides equal opportunity without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, marital status, veteran status or disability in admissions, employment and in all of its educational programs and activities. We encourage individuals from historically underrepresented groups to apply.

The Community

Located in central Pennsylvania, Lewisburg features a variety of restaurants, beautiful Victorian homes, the restored art deco Campus Theatre (owned by the University), charming shops and boutiques, and the Barnes and Noble at Bucknell University Bookstore. About 33,000 residents live in the region.

The city of Williamsport is about a 30-minute drive from campus, and Penn State University’s main campus is about an hour away, as is Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s state capital. Bucknell is about three hours from New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

The cost of living here is low compared to that of major U.S. cities and suburbs. Bucknell’s surroundings yield fresh produce, cultural activities and events, and many opportunities for outdoor activity on the Susquehanna River and in the nearby state parks and forests. The Lewisburg Area School District receives excellent reviews for its schools at all grade levels. Lewisburg Area High School is consistently ranked among the top 50 high schools in Pennsylvania for SAT scores and statewide exams.

Advertised: 01 Aug 2019 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: