Development Officer

Concordia University, St. Paul; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Concordia University, St. Paul is seeking a Development Officer to manage donor relationships and secure major gifts for the university's strategic priorities. Candidates should have at least three years of fundraising experience and a bachelor's degree.

The role includes building a portfolio of 125–150 donors, engaging through personal visits, and collaborating with the advancement team. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential, along with proficiency in donor management software and Microsoft Office.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of fundraising experience.
• Ability to clearly articulate the mission and vision of CSP to stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success in gift solicitation.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage a portfolio of donors and prospects.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects for gifts.
• Engage through personal visits and communications.

Skills

Fundraising experience

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Donor management software

Google Suite

Job description

Development Officer

Position Overview:

The Development Officer (DO) position at Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP) plays a vital role in cultivating and strengthening relationships with donors and friends of the university. The DO manages a portfolio of 125–150 donors and prospects to secure major gifts that advance the university’s strategic priorities. As a proactive advocate for Lutheran Christian higher education, the DO designs and executes engagement strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward meaningful relationships. This role is essential to fulfilling CSP’s mission: “to prepare students for thoughtful and informed living, dedicated service to God and humanity, enlightened care of God’s creation, all within the context of the Christian Gospel.”

Essential Duties:

• Build and manage a portfolio of 125–150 current and prospective donors through a relationship‑driven and results‑oriented gift cycle strategy.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects for major and planned gifts.
• Engage prospects and donors through personal (face‑to‑face) visits, virtual meetings, and other personalized communications, meeting monthly and annual goals for contacts, dollars raised, and proposals.
• Serve collaboratively alongside other advancement team members, partnering and encouraging them in this vital work to meet team goals.
• Other Essential Duties:
  • Support and actively participate in key advancement events, including CSPday (our annual day of giving), Homecoming, campaign, and donor‑centric events. Evening and weekend work will be required.
  • Maintain accurate records in the CRM, documenting donor cultivation plans and progress to ensure timely follow‑up and provide timely updates on portfolio progress.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience:

• Commitment to the mission, vision, promise, strategic plan, and goals of CSP.
• Minimum of three years of fundraising experience.
• A bachelor's degree is required.
• Ability to clearly articulate the mission and vision of CSP to external stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated success in gift solicitation.
• Demonstrated success in working independently and collaboratively in a team setting, emphasizing interpersonal skills and engaged listening.
• Ability to communicate clearly and succinctly through various communication methods.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and donor management software.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout assigned regions.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

It is the policy of CSP to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. The University will not discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, gender, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. However, CSP is an institution of the LCMS and, to the extent allowed by law, CSP reserves the right to give preference in employment based on religious tenets.

CSP prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. The notice of nondiscrimination is located at https://www.csp.edu/student‑life/title‑ix/.