Development Associate

Case Western Reserve University; Cleveland (OH); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Case Western Reserve University seeks a development associate to join the Discovery Team and manage a high volume of prospect discovery, qualification, and solicitation across the United States, supporting the university's campaign pipeline and major gift strategy.

The role emphasizes travel within the United States and collaboration with school-based and central development staff, requiring strong frontline fundraising and communication skills, with a hybrid schedule allowing up to two remote

Qualifications

• 1+ year of relevant professional fundraising experience.
• Bachelor's degree required; driver's license may be needed.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and high-volume prospect activity.

Responsibilities

• Conduct high-volume discovery visits to qualify prospects for capacity and affinity.
• Solicit commitments of $25,000+ and annual gifts of $1,000 on first visits.
• Maintain donor/prospect data in the CRM and coordinate with school/unit fundraisers.

Skills

Prospect research

Donor relations

Communication skills

Travel willingness

CRM proficiency

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM software

Microsoft Office

Job description

The development associate is part of the Discovery Team and with primary responsibility for a high volume of prospect discovery, qualification, and solicitation across the United States. The Discovery team's work is focused on the priority of building Case Western Reserve University's pipeline for the next comprehensive campaign and to increase immediate funding while identifying prospects for longer-term cultivation efforts toward a major gift commitment.

Eighty five percent of the development associate's time will be focused on discovery, qualification, and solicitation of prospects with major gift capacity. This position involves regular travel and extensive frontline fundraising activity.

As a generalist, the development associate is comfortable representing multiple schools/units and discussing priorities across the university. The incumbent is an excellent collaborator and works closely with school-based and central development and alumni relations colleagues.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conduct a high volume of discovery visits to qualify prospects for capacity and affinity to provide philanthropic support to Case Western Reserve University. Travel 2 to 3 times per month within a designated portfolio of regions within the United States. Independently assess prospect capacity to determine appropriate response to guide conversation toward philanthropic support. Participate in creative strategic planning and recommend short and long-term goals for the development of fundraising activities. Define and evaluate strategic alternatives and provide recommendations on areas of focus and courses of action. Research and identify prospects with the ability to make a major, leadership, principal, or planned gift to CWRU and hand off active referrals to school/unit or central fundraisers. Develop engagement strategies for particular regions in collaboration with alumni engagement and national development officers. Evaluate their success in making contacts and securing visits, make adjustments as needed utilizing various outreach strategies and tools. Prioritize outreach utilizing software platforms. (55%)
• Conduct visits to solicit new commitments of $25,000 or more. Solicit all prospects for annual gifts of $1,000 on first visit as a method of qualification and partner with Leadership Annual Giving Officers for upgrade strategies. Raise funds for all schools and units and priorities with a donor-centric approach. (30%)
• Work closely with Advancement Services to update and maintain donor and prospect biographical information, wealth indicators, and communication preferences in the CRM and track all outreach and activity per Prospect Management Policies. (15%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Frequent contact with the vice presidents, associate vice presidents, executive directors, senior directors, and directors of departments. Contact with staff as required to perform essential functions.

University: Contact with senior level administrative staff, senior staff in colleges and management centers, chief development officers, university relations and development staff, faculty, and board of trustees.

External: Contact with alumni and friends of the university.

Students: Contact with students and student volunteers.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 1 or more years of relevant professional experience, and an interest in front line fundraising required.

Education/Licensing: Bachelor's degree required. Driver's license required.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively through exceptional interpersonal face-to-face, verbal, and written communication skills, with a demonstrated temperament to work effectively with a wide variety of constituencies, both inside and outside the organization.
• Ability to tactfully manage relationships with internal and external constituencies and have purposeful conversations that build philanthropic relationships.
• Passion for making connections and having conversations daily with new people.
• Energized by social interactions and comfortable making direct solicitations.
• Ability to organize, establish objectives and priorities and achieve goals in an aggressive organizational environment. Driven to meet high-volume metrics.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly.
• Must be able to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues.
• Professional integrity, enthusiasm, and a record of ongoing professional commitment and contribution. Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• High degree of energy, creativity, flexibility, organization.
• Prefer computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office and Development software) and the ability to learn new programs.
• Prefer demonstrated capacity to treat confidential materials with discretion.
• Ability to demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment. Occasional night and weekend hours, with occasional travel. The employee will be required to drive while on the job.

This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.

EEO Statement

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodations

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.