Description

Looking to Transform and Change Lives every day? Think about joining our Jackson College team and be a part of one of the elite League for Innovation Colleges. Located in the Midwest, with four beautiful seasons, miles of golf courses and beautiful lakes parks, trails, and active downtown. Jackson has an Amtrak stop, bus service, and we are an hour from an international airport. Our employees enjoy working on a beautiful campus complete with state-of-the art facilities, a fitness trail, disc golf, on site mental, dental, and physical care and childcare. We believe in serving our community and making a positive difference to the life and future of our region by making socially responsible decisions that have real, beneficial and measurable impacts on people and the world around us. While we offer many of the amenities of larger institutions, our students, and our Total Commitment to Student Success (TCS2), is our focus. We provide small class sizes, individual professional development opportunities and a family atmosphere.

The Development Associate under the direction of the Associate Vice President for Advancement (AVPA), will provide execution of the fundraising initiatives for the institution in concert with the strategic initiatives of the College Leadership Council, College President, and Board of Directors of the Jackson College Foundation (JCF), to develop strategies for successful planning and implementation of comprehensive fund development initiatives. The Development Associate will provide dynamic, proactive and collaborative servant leadership, to build upon and grow a vibrant fund development program that provides a transformational level of financial support for Jackson College.

Develop and implement multi-faceted, strategic fund development programs focusing on donor acquisition, cultivation, and retention as well as increasing levels of giving by various constituencies. The focus of this position will be external and require extensive travel/cultivation/solicitation in Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties, some travel in lower Michigan and limited travel nationally.

This position is day shift but may occasionally require evening and weekend hours.

Essential Functions

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

Develop and execute fundraising strategies and ensure implementation of plans to meet strategic objectives and critical fundraising priorities Serve as lead solicitor for designated donors and prospective donors at the direction of the Associate Vice President for Advancement (AVPA)

Proactively identify, cultivate, and solicit gifts while building and strengthening relationships with donors, prospects and internal and external stakeholders at locations as mutually agreed upon by donor, including the College’s campuses, donor’s homes and places of business, etc. Visits may take place during non-standard work hours including evenings and weekends.

Research and gather data, assess prospects, and develop strategies for each donor and donor prospect. Independently manage a robust portfolio of assigned donors/prospects from identification through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship with the goal of soliciting them for the Annual Fund, or other initiatives annually.

Represent Jackson College and the Jackson College Foundation at College and community events, meetings, memorial services, etc. during standard and non-standard work hours.

Develop and distribute ongoing and special online and mailed communications to donors and prospects.

Ensuring the accuracy of donor and alumni information, update directory memberships, and other records entered into donor database.

Research, recommend and utilize analytics software/platforms to identify new prospects and advance giving of current donors.

Create reports and dashboards beneficial to the advancing Foundation’s development goals.

Coordinate information flow, prepare materials for distribution, and review/proofread proposals, reports and other fundraising documents. Collaborate with Marketing and other College departments on creation of campaigns and other materials related to events and donor solicitation. Serves as a board member and/or committee member for community organizations, positively representing Jackson College and Foundation in each role

Supports the building of the planned giving program to encourage legacy gifts to the College.

Coordinate/integrate giving among all constituencies including alumni, corporate donors, foundations, students, faculty/staff, boards, etc.

Promote donor events to donors/prospects and be on hand at on-campus and off-campus events.

Build pride internally to sustain support externally; cultivate a deep understanding of the institution and use its unique character, history, and values to engage alumni, donors, students, faculty, staff, and others in a shared sense of the College's history, accomplishments, and future.

Speak passionately, enthusiastically, and knowledgeably about Jackson College, its programs, and giving opportunities.

Transition participants of special events into broader annual giving opportunities.

Participate in strategy sessions and lead teams for key prospect identification and internal planning efforts.

Demonstrate proficiencies in direct mail, email, social media and focus group cultivation efforts.

Demonstrate ability to set quantitative goals and implement strategies with deadlines to reach the established goals.

Keep current on initiatives and faculty/research/student initiatives at the College.

Responsible for understanding, supporting and actively demonstrating the College’s beliefs, values, mission and vision and being in agreement to be evaluated by same.

Other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: N/A

CONTACTS AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS:

Internal: Regular contact and collaborative work with other staff, faculty, administrators and executive officers.External: Regular contact with a diverse population of community leaders, organizations, corporations, alumni, former students, donors, prospects, Foundation Board members, College Trustees and elected officials.

Minimum Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The minimum and preferred requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum

Five years of progressively increased responsibilities and experience in institutional advancement to include development, donor relations or fundraising experience, or related profession:

Bachelor’s Degree; Master’s Degree and CFRE preferred. Demonstrated ability to manage a large number of prospective donors resulting in significant increased gifts. Related experiences will be entertained. Knowledge of higher education development activities is preferred.A strong affinity for Jackson College and the community college movement, and a capacity to be able to passionately champion the College and its educational mission among its various constituents.Proven ability to inspire confidence, to motivate and to persuade both orally and in writing, with different external constituencies about private fund raising in general and in particular how it applies to particular programs at Jackson College.Requires excellent and demonstrated goal-oriented management skills. Must be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and donor-centered.Requires superior organizational skills, an ability to work independently with minimal direction, minimal administrative support, and an ability to work collaboratively with others.An ability to manage effectively in a fast paced, complex environment comprised of multiple constituencies and demands.Professional maturity, perspective and credibility necessary to influence senior administrators, donors, prospects, as well as key constituents.

Ability to cultivate the creative ideas of others, make connections between ideas, project potential outcomes and actively solicit financial support.

Ability to experiment to find creative solutions. Enjoys the challenge of unfamiliar opportunities.

Demonstrated ability to utilize advanced features of Microsoft Office suite of products; ability to learn and apply new computing software applications quickly and utilize mobile technologies effectively.Strong commitment to ethical conduct and demonstrated attitude of appreciation and service in all interactions.Ability to diffuse high-tension situations comfortably and maintain composure under pressure.Ability to communicate effectively with influential people. Commands attention. Can change tactics midstream and manage groups during presentations or discussions.Ability to maintain strict confidentiality, decorum and discretion in all interactions with others.Basic mathematical skills needed. Ability to compute rates, ratios, percentages and develop and interpret graphs and dashboards.A valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and the ability to travel via air.

Preferred

Knowledge of Jackson’s philanthropic community and networks of social and professional relationships within it. Demonstrated success in higher education fund development.Previous development experience in a diverse community and educational setting or community college development office.Experience in data mining and analytics. Working knowledge of Raiser’s Edge, Gift Works, Crescendo or similar fundraising software program.

Experience with annual and long-range strategic planning, goal setting and performance management.

Ability to communicate a compelling and inspired vision and sense of core purpose and to inspire, motivate, and marshal resources throughout the entire organization.

PHYSICAL DEMANDSThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands to finger, handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and color vision.

WORK ENVIROMENTThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Frequent travel, including overnight and multiple day/night travel is required as part of the position. This position is expected to plan, attend and host evening or weekend events.

“This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required and shall not be construed as declaring the specific duties and responsibilities. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his or her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.”

Supplemental Information

Jackson College only accepts on-line applications though this system. For assistance with this, please call 517-796-8468.

Please use your legal first and last names on your application. If you are hired, you will have the opportunity to identify and utilize your preferred name.

The Jackson College Nepotism policy prohibits the hiring of direct relatives of current employees or members of the Board of Trustees including spouse, domestic partner, child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, aunt, uncle, niece/nephew, grandparent, grandchild. This policy applies to all full and part-time employees except for student workers, tutors, temporary employees and adjunct faculty.

It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess (even if you are repeating it from your resume or cover letter). For instance, do not say, "See Resume or C/V." Your resume, cover letter, and if a degree is required an unofficial transcript must be attached to your application. Applications will be rejected if incomplete.

When you apply for the position, you will get to the document upload area where you will be given an opportunity to attach your documents such as your vita, transcripts, etc.. Instructions will also be found there.

The College reserves the right to request proof of degree or certification at a later date if these documents are required as part of the qualifications for the position.

Final candidates will be subject to a criminal background as part of the employment process.

If selected you will be required to complete the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Employment Eligibility Verification form I-9 and provide documentation verifying identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Jackson College is NOT able to support Visa applications for employment at the college. Applicants must already be eligible to work in the United States to be considered.

Applicants with disabilities may request accommodation to complete the application and interview process. Please notify Human Resources at least three (3) working days prior to the date of need.

A copy of Jackson College's Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report is available on the JC Campus Safety & Security website. The security report contains crime statistics for the previous three years for all of our campus locations and the annual fire safety report, which contains statistics for any reported fires in campus housing units and fire safety systems in these buildings. Additionally, the report contains policies, available resources and information concerning personal safety, fire safety and reporting procedures for both crimes and fires.

Applicants have rights under Federal employment laws. Jackson College is an Equal Opportunity Employer that actively supports workforce diversity.