Development Officer

SD Mines Center for Alumni Relations; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

Job summary

The South Dakota Mines Center for Alumni Relations and Advancement (CARA) seeks a Development Officer to increase philanthropic support for South Dakota Mines by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors—through a relationship‑oriented approach to secure gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Philanthropy, you will collaborate with CARA staff, manage donor relations, and help advance fundraising initiatives while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus one to two years of fundraising, alumni relations, sales, marketing, or external relations and engagement.
• Ability to speak and write persuasively.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles and donor motivation.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with prospective donors to support fundraising initiatives at South Dakota Mines.
• Manage a portfolio of leadership and major donors and prospects across key regions.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit major gift prospects including corporate and planned gifts.
• Record key actions in the donor database and use them to maximize relationships.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff on donor options and trends in development.
• Assist CARA in achieving goals and participate in boards and committees as needed.

Skills

Relationship building

Persuasive communication

Fundraising

Donor engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Raiser’s Edge/NXT

Job description

The South Dakota Mines Center for Alumni Relations & Advancement (CARA) is seeking a Development Officer.

The Development Officer will increase philanthropic support for South Dakota Mines by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors through a relationship-oriented approach to secure new, renewed, and upgraded gifts from a portfolio of individuals, corporations, and foundations. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Philanthropy and working collaboratively with other members of the advancement and alumni engagement team, this position will help advance philanthropy and facilitate positive alumni relations and donor management.

Key Responsibilities

Responsible for building relationships with prospective donors in support of fundraising initiatives for South Dakota Mines, a public STEM university with more than 2,600 students.

• Manage a portfolio of leadership and major donors and prospects, including donors/prospects in key geographic regions of the country:
  • Implement a strategic, consistent, relationship-oriented approach to increase philanthropic support from individuals (alumni and friends).
  • Promote the importance of unrestricted giving and secure funds that align with the University's mission.
  • Implement effective relationship management strategies and ensure that metrics and targets are achieved and exceeded.
• In collaboration with the CARA team, identify, cultivate, and solicit major gift prospects – including corporate and planned gifts.
• Ensure key actions are recorded in the database and utilized effectively to maximize relationships and philanthropic support.
• Participate in general CARA activities, including staff task forces and committees, outreach activities, CARA Board and committee meetings, and University fund development efforts as assigned and needed.
• Collaborate with faculty, administration, and other staff about donors and gift options.
• Maintain an awareness and understanding of trends in development and new fund development techniques.
• Assist in the achievement of the overall CARA goals, plans, and objectives.
• Work on other assignments as requested.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus one to two years of experience with fundraising, alumni relations, sales, marketing, or external relations and engagement.
• Ability to speak and write persuasively.
• Knowledge of the principles of human motivation and the principles affecting fundraising.
• Demonstrated ability to ask for philanthropic contributions.
• Creativity, innovation, self-motivation, and the ability to work in a complex organization.
• Ability to interact with the community of the University and CARA as a member of its external relations efforts.
• Ability to project a positive image of service that presents the University and CARA positively.
• Ability to understand and articulate the character and mission of CARA and the University.
• Previous development work in a college, University, or non-profit preferred.

Requirements

• Sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality are required in this position.
• Competence in Microsoft Office suite and donor management systems, such as Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge/NXT.
• Good time management and organizational skills.
• The position requires some overnight travel (in-state and nationally) that may last several days each month.

Salary: $65,250 - $71,000, depending on experience. A complete benefit package is included for full-time employees.

The position will remain open until filled, but we will review resumes immediately. No in-person inquiries or phone calls, please.

About the South Dakota Mines Center for Alumni Relations and Advancement

CARA is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package, including paid medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance for our employees; family medical, dental, and vision coverage is available, but paid by the employee; retirement plans; paid holidays; and a generous paid-time-off allowance.

Mission:

We promote the traditions, interests, influence, and reputation of South Dakota Mines among alumni and friends through meaningful engagement and by inspiring and stewarding philanthropy.

Vision:

We will be a global network of alumni and friends who advance the prominence of South Dakota Mines.

Values:

• Integrity: We build trust by honoring our commitments with honesty and respect.
• Excellence: We commit to consistently exceeding expectations and strive to achieve the highest standard.
• Collaboration: We work together with the University and with other stakeholders to achieve desired results.
• Stewardship: We intentionally build quality relationships by delivering impact and resources.
• Community: We build community, honor traditions, and deepen relationships.

CARA does not discriminate based on sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender identification, transgender status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in employment or the provision of service.