Development Officer

Nebraska Wesleyan University; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability benefits

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Tuition discount for dependents

Job summary

A liberal arts university is seeking a full-time Development Officer in Lincoln, NE, responsible for building a donor portfolio and implementing fundraising strategies. The role requires strong interpersonal skills, a bachelor's degree, and the ability to travel as needed. NWU offers a complete benefits package including health insurance and tuition discounts for dependents after a year of service. Candidates should demonstrate a drive for philanthropy and a commitment to advancing higher education.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Experience managing a portfolio of givers is preferred.
• Must be adaptable and flexible to collaborate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of donors and create engagement strategies.
• Conduct meetings, engaging with alumni via multiple channels.
• Solicit gifts and understand fundraising principles.
• Create communication plans to deepen donor relationships.
• Solicit gifts and demonstrate fundraising principles.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Collaboration

Fundraising principles

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Databases

CRM software

Job description

Are you naturally curious about people and their desires to make a difference in the world? Nebraska Wesleyan is recruiting a Development Officer. Successful candidates will be astute listeners with the ability to connect with people from a wide variety of backgrounds, have a passion for higher education, an ability to work collaboratively, a servant leadership perspective and a drive to transform lives and impact societal good through philanthropy.

Nebraska Wesleyan University is seeking a full-time, twelve-month Development Officer, responsible for raising funds while increasing the number of donors to the University, through personal outreach to the university's alumni and friends. Primary responsibilities include listening to understand what inspires individual donors to give, developing thoughtful strategies to engage, soliciting and stewarding major gift donors and creating meaningful experiences for those who support Nebraska Wesleyan.

Nebraska Wesleyan University is a nationally recognized liberal arts university known for its close student–faculty relationships and commitment to student success. The Development Officer will play a key role in connecting donors to transformational opportunities to support students, faculty and the ongoing mission of NWU.

NWU offers a competitive wage and comprehensive benefits plan including Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Disability benefits, Retirement, seven weeks of paid time off per year as an exempt employee through vacation and holidays, and 100% tuition discount for dependents after one year of service.

Responsibilities:

• Manages a portfolio of donors and prospective donors and creates and executes strategies for each stage of the donor engagement process aligned with University priorities.
• Conducts face‑to‑face meetings, and engages with alumni and friends by mail, email, phone and social media.
• Develops annual, measurable goals in conjunction with the Associate VP of Advancement.
• Develops communication and engagement plans for loyal donors to the university with the goal of deepening their relationship with the university.
• Solicits gifts and demonstrates a sound understanding of fundraising principles.
• Works well with others and collaborates from a position of appreciative inquiry.
• Provides accurate and timely reports (examples include call reports and goal tracking).
• Travels in order to build and maintain donor relationships and represent the university.
• Occasionally works nights and weekend hours for event participation and to meet with alumni and friends of the university.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• Experience managing a portfolio of givers to advance their philanthropy, or related experience in a university setting or experience in a comparable goal and mission‑oriented environment preferred.
• An understanding of the principles and methods of fund raising and constituent relations.
• Adaptable, flexible and eager to work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve Advancement goals.
• Able to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet schedule deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Must be computer proficient, with knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite Applications and should be familiar with utilizing databases.
• Ability to maintain and be responsible for confidential information.
• Able to travel which accounts for approximately 30% position responsibilities, including air travel and overnight stays.

How to Apply:

To apply, please upload a cover letter, resume or curriculum vita, and the names of three professional references at the following URL: https://nebrwesleyan.applicantpro.com/jobs/. NWU encourages applicants to address how one or more of NWU's Core Values align with their personal values and characteristics and/or how they would contribute to them at NWU in their cover letter or a separate document. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Nebraska Wesleyan University provides equal educational and employment opportunities to qualified persons in all areas of university operation without regard to religion or creed, age, genetic information, gender identity and expression, sexual identity and orientation, veteran status, disability, marital status, race, or national or ethnic origin, in compliance with state and federal laws, including but not limited to Title XII, Title IX, and the ADA. E-Verify, EOE.

Please visit the NWU website for more information about our institution: nebrwesleyan.edu