Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Advancement, the Senior Development Officer’s primary responsibility is to qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of leadership Ursinus Fund and potential major gift donors with the capacity to make gifts of $25,000+. Will work collaboratively with colleagues in the Advancement Office and high-level volunteers to create and implement plans that result in major gifts for the College. Extensive national travel is required with a specific focus on the Midwest and West Coast.

The Senior Development Officer leads and manages all aspects of the reunion giving program, including fundraising expectations, volunteer management, and alumni affinities. The Senior Development Officer takes accountability and responsibility for the reunion giving program, providing creative ideas to enhance the program with the AVP, VP, and Executive Director of the Ursinus Fund. The Senior Development Officer works closely with alumni class leadership volunteers to maximize philanthropic support and achieve reunion class goals. The Senior Development Officer sets fundraising goals for each reunion class/affinity each year. The individual coordinates efforts with partners in Alumni Relations and the Ursinus Fund.

The Senior Development Officer will partner with the Executive Director of the Ursinus Fund to increase annual giving from all constituent groups, with a special emphasis on unrestricted giving towards the institution’s annual goal and growth in future years. The Senior Development Officer will serve as the lead development officer for targeted giving days, providing strategy and educating the team on best practices.

The Senior Development seeks to implement a “culture of philanthropy” at Ursinus with all constituents, both internal and external.

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

• Carries a portfolio of 150 major gift prospects, focusing on prospects at the leadership annual giving level and potential major gift capability of $25,000+. This portfolio will evolve steadily as prospects/suspects are brought to closure or dropped from the portfolio for lack of capacity or inclination.
• Maintains an active schedule of face-to-face and.orvirtual meetings with prospects, averaging 12-15 such meetings per month. Establish best practices of the donor engagement process including qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts to the institution.
• Document all contacts in Raiser’s Edge per established Advancement Office guidelines, policies and procedures.
• Manage donor relationships according to Advancement Office’s established prospect management guidelines, policies and procedures.
• Leads the College’s reunion giving program and conducts analysis and measures program effectiveness. Identifies and trains leadership committee volunteers in partnership with the major gifts team. Seeks out opportunities for both annual, major, and planned gifts from reunion class members. Identifies opportunities for “affinity group reunions” as appropriate, especially when there is an opportunity to maximize volunteer and giving potential from these specific groups (ie – Greek Life, Sports, etc).
• Plans and leads regular committee meetings for each class reunion committee, either in person or by virtual meetings. Assists with developing strategy for each reunion class to achieve class fundraising and participation goals. Collaborates closely with Alumni Relations on both Homecoming and Alumni Weekend and the integrated work of reunions in the programming.
• Works closely with the Executive Director of the Ursinus Fund, to lead strategy for #Giving2UCday, the annual day of giving program for Ursinus College. Specifically seeks out major gift donors for Giving2UCDay, as well as Challenge and Matching Donors. Works closely with the Executive Director to identify funding priorities for Giving2UCDay that mirror donor interests and behaviors.
• Develop a thorough knowledge of Ursinus College history, academic and extracurricular programs, and its faculty, students and administration; maintain a thorough understanding of the College’s current priorities and initiatives of the faculty and administration.
• Attend and support appropriate alumni and donor engagement events related to assigned responsibilities; participates in departmental and professional training programs to increase expertise in profession.
• Serves as the liaison between the major gifts team (development officers) and the annual giving (Ursinus Fund) team. Participates in regular meetings with the Executive Director of the Ursinus Fund, including the monthly Annual Fund meeting hosted by the Vice President and Associate Vice President.
• Evaluates the need for a Leadership Annual Giving team for future campaigns if funding allows.

• Bachelor’s degree with advanced degree preferred
• At least seven years experience in professional fundraising
• Proven success as a leadership annual giving professional with the desire to grow into major/principal gifts
• Desire and ability to travel regularly: ability to work evening and weekend hours as needed
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, both in terms of communicating with superiors and colleagues, as well as others within and outside of the organization
• Proven success in managing annual giving programs and the ability to analyze both quantitative and qualitative information to enhance annual giving programs with specific focus to reunions
• Interest in major gifts fundraising and elevating prospect affinity and inclination
• Proven volunteer management experience
• Demonstrated experience in mail, marketing, phonation, print production, and event experience
• Comfortable interacting with administrators, faculty, volunteer leaders, students, donors and prospects
• Self-motivated and able to motivate others to achieve established goals and objectives on a timely basis
• Self-starting strategic thinker whose hallmark qualities include being persistent, being personable, and possessing a desire to succeed
• Able to exercise good judgment in handling of confidential information
• A personal commitment to excellence and the mission of a top-tier college of liberal arts, and the ability to work in a goal-oriented environment are required
• Good judgment, a positive attitude, and a sense of humor

Work Environment:

• Ability to sit for long periods at personal computer performing related functions
• Availability and flexibility to travel regularly
• Ability to work evenings and/or weekends as necessary

Departmental Accountabilities:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues and team members in the Advancement office and throughout the College. Participates in Advancement Office meetings and other key College staff meetings
• Provides support to leadership, as needed, for priority projects. Serves to help educate faculty and staff about the Advancement office and its mission and goals
• Possesses knowledge and experience with computer programs that support the Advancement Department including Microsoft Office programs and Raiser’s Edge

Interested candidates should apply here. Once you create an applicant account, you will be prompted to upload your cover letter, resume, and a list with contact information for three references to the applicant database.

Ursinus is an AA/EO employer. Ursinus College does not discriminate on grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, creed, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, disability, or other classification protected by applicable law in the administration of any of its educational programs or activities or with respect to employment.