Development Officer

Texas A&M University System; Victoria (TX); On-site; USD 51,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas A&M University-Victoria is seeking a Development Officer to build philanthropic support from individuals, corporations, and foundations in alignment with University priorities. You will manage a major-gift portfolio, identify and solicit donors, and collaborate with university leadership to advance funding opportunities.

You will develop donor strategies, prepare compelling proposals, and maintain thorough donor records.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years of related fundraising, development, donor relations, external relations, or a related field.
• Knowledge of fundraising, development, donor relations, and stewardship principles and practices.
• Knowledge of donor and prospect relationship management practices.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Manage an assigned portfolio of major-gift prospects and donors to secure support.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals, corporations, and foundations for gifts.
• Develop donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies based on donor interests and University priorities.
• Partner with senior leadership and campus stakeholders to identify funding opportunities.
• Serve as liaison for major-gift and advancement efforts across departments and programs.
• Develop proposals, presentations, and donor communications communicating University priorities and impact.
• Collaborate with campus experts on funding proposals and donor materials.
• Maintain accurate documentation of donor contacts, activities, and engagement in CRM.
• Monitor donor activity and provide reports to support fundraising strategy and decision-making.
• Collaborate with colleagues on donor relations, alumni engagement, and other advancement initiatives.
• Represent the University at events to develop relationships with alumni, donors, prospects, and external constituents.
• Support cultivation and stewardship activities with various advisory boards and campus partners.
• Maintain knowledge of fundraising practices and trends through training and professional development.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Fundraising knowledge & donorrelations

Donor cultivation & relationship mgmt

Proposal development

Stakeholder collaboration

Communication skills

Discretion & confidentiality

Organizational skills

Time management

Analytical skills

CRM proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in an applicable field

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

Texas A&M University-Victoria Values:

W isdom

E xcellence

R espect

I ntegrity

S tudents

E mpathy

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

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.