Development Officer

Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station; Victoria (TX); On-site; USD 54,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

The Development Officer at Texas A&M University-Victoria builds philanthropic support from individuals, corporations, and foundations, managing a portfolio of major-gift prospects and aligning donor interests with institutional priorities and funding opportunities.

Reporting to University Advancement, the role collaborates with campus leaders to develop proposals and donor communications, maintains records, and represents the university at events to foster relationships with alumni and external

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• Two years of related fundraising, development, donor relations, or external relations experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manages an assigned portfolio of major-gift prospects and donors with the goal of securing philanthropic support.
• Identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards individuals, corporations, and foundations for gifts at various levels.
• Develops donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies based on donor interests and University priorities.
• Partners with leadership and campus stakeholders to identify funding opportunities and craft strategic approaches.

Skills

Fundraising knowledge

Donor relations

Relationship management

Proposal writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in an applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience

Job description

Job Title

Development Officer

Agency

Texas A&M University - Victoria

Department

University Advancement

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Victoria, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

The Development Officer, under direction, develops philanthropic support from individuals, corporations, and foundations in support of University priorities. Manages an assigned portfolio of major-gift prospects and donors and is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding philanthropic relationships. Collaborates with University leadership and campus partners to align donor interests with institutional priorities and funding opportunities.

Primary Duties

• Manages an assigned portfolio of major-gift prospects and donors with the goal of securing philanthropic support in alignment with University priorities.
• Identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards individuals, corporations, and foundations for annual, major, and planned gifts.
• Develops and implements donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies based on donor interests, giving potential, and University funding priorities.
• Partners with senior leadership, deans, faculty, staff, volunteers, and other campus stakeholders to identify funding opportunities and develop strategies for prospective donors.
• Serves as a liaison for major-gift and advancement efforts involving multiple University departments, colleges, programs, and initiatives.
• Develops proposals, presentations, reports, correspondence, and other donor communications that effectively communicate University priorities and the impact of philanthropic support.
• Collaborates with the Grant Facilitator, Director of Advancement Operations, and campus subject-matter experts in the development of funding proposals, reports, and other donor materials.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation of donor and prospect contacts, activities, strategies, and engagement in the University's alumni and donor constituent relationship management system.
• Monitors donor and prospect activity and provides information and reports to support fundraising strategy and decision-making.
• Collaborates with University Advancement colleagues on donor relations, stewardship, alumni and family engagement, annual giving, community outreach, and other advancement initiatives.
• Represents the University at campus, community, and regional events to develop relationships with alumni, donors, prospects, corporations, foundations, families, friends, and other external constituents.
• Partners with the University Advancement team, A&M-Victoria Foundation Board, President's Regional Advisory Board, college advisory boards, and campus partners to support cultivation and stewardship activities and events.
• Maintains knowledge of professional fundraising practices and emerging trends through training, professional organizations, conferences, networking, and other professional development activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in an applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years of related experience in fundraising, development, donor relations, external relations, or a related field.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of fundraising, development, donor relations, and stewardship principles and practices.
• Knowledge of donor and prospect relationship management practices.
• Knowledge of database, spreadsheet, and constituent relationship management applications.
• Ability to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donor and prospect relationships.
• Ability to develop fundraising strategies and align donor interests with University priorities and funding opportunities.
• Ability to prepare effective proposals, presentations, reports, correspondence, and other donor communications.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with donors, prospects, University leadership, faculty, staff, volunteers, community members, and other external constituents.
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment in managing donor relationships and resolving issues.
• Ability to negotiate, communicate effectively, and respond appropriately to donor and stakeholder needs.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and donor relationships while meeting established goals and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with University Advancement and campus partners.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive donor and University information.
• Strong organizational, analytical, planning, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

PC Skills

Proficiency with standard office productivity software, database applications, spreadsheets, and constituent relationship management systems.

Working Conditions

Work is generally performed in an office environment but requires regular interaction with donors, prospects, community partners, and other external constituents. Travel within the community and region is required. Evening and weekend work may be required to attend University, donor, cultivation, stewardship, and community events.

Required Documents

Resume, Cover Letter, References

Starting Salary

Starting salary for this position is $5,000 monthly and is negotiable depending on education and experience.

Values

Texas A&M University-Victoria Values: Together We Rise Wisdom Excellence Respect Integrity Students Empathy Setting:

Background

A&M-Victoria is the most recent addition to the Texas A&M University System. The University was founded in 1973 as part of the University of Houston System and was transferred to the Texas A&M University System during the 89th Texas Legislative Session. A&M-Victoria is the only four-year university in a 100-mile radius and is just 30 miles from the Texas Gulf Coast. The University is a Hispanic-Serving Institution located in the Coastal Bend region of Texas. It serves the educational needs, promotes economic well-being, and advances the community and region's quality of life through teaching, research, and service excellence. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and it offers more than 50 academic programs, as well as concentrations and certificates. The university also has several accreditations for specific areas and programs, including from the AACSB, ABET, CACREP and CCNE. In addition to its recent transition into The Texas A&M University System, A&M-Victoria is in the process of adding academic programs in three major areas: aviation, agribusiness, and engineering. In addition to academic excellence, A&M-Victoria has a thriving Athletics program that offers six competitive teams: baseball, softball, men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s golf. The Jaguars are part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the baseball, softball and soccer teams compete in the Red River Athletic Conference. The golf teams compete in the Association of Independent Institutions Conference.

More Information

Learn more about Texas A&M University-Victoria's history, academic programs, and campus facilities here.

Security Sensitive Positions

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.

Texas A&M University-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the colleges of Business; Education & Health Professions; Liberal Arts & Social Sciences; and Natural & Applied Science. The university supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development. The policy of A&M-Victoria is to ensure equal opportunity in all its educational programs and activities, and all terms and conditions of employment without regard to age, race, color, disability, religion, national origin, veteran’s status, genetic information or sex (including pregnancy), except where such a distinction is required by law. Additionally, A&M-Victoria prohibits discrimination in all aspects of employment and educational programs on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.