Development Officer or Senior Development Officer, College of Health and Human Sciences

Purdue for Life Foundation; West Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Vacation days

401(k) and Roth retirement plans

Health Savings Account

Dental and Vision insurance

Tuition discounts

Job summary

Purdue For Life Foundation seeks a Development Officer to advance major gifts for the College of Health and Human Sciences. The role requires travel, donor cultivation, and collaboration with academic staff to meet campaign goals.

Responsibilities include stewarding major gifts, coordinating with Purdue units, and providing timely reports. Bachelor's degree and 1–3 years (Development Officer) or 4–6 years (Senior Development Officer) experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with written and public speaking abilities.
• Ability to learn and represent Purdue For Life Foundation's mission.
• Ability to interact with diverse stakeholders.
• Discretion and tact in representing the University.
• Strong teamwork, initiative, and problem-solving skills.
• Solid organizational and time-management capabilities.
• Knowledge of finance, alumni relations, and advancement communications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute plans to bring major gifts to the College of Health and Human Sciences and the University through travel and advancement processes.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward donor relationships through qualification, solicitation, and stewardship stages.
• Solicit and secure major gifts to meet college and university goals.
• Coordinate with development and academic staff on prospect strategies and campaigns.
• Travel and evening/weekend duties are required.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Mission articulation

Stakeholder engagement

Judgment and discretion

Relationship building

Organization & time management

Problem solving

Finance/alumni relations knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Description

Working for the Purdue For Life Foundation offers a unique opportunity to be part of an organization dedicated to empowering Purdue University alumni and fostering a lifelong connection to the institution. By joining our team, you'll have the chance to contribute to a mission that supports educational initiatives, scholarships, and programs that positively impact the lives of Purdue students and graduates. The Foundation's commitment to education and community engagement provides a fulfilling work environment where you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and the broader community. Additionally, you'll have access to a network of passionate colleagues and the resources needed to drive positive change, making the Purdue For Life Foundation an inspiring and rewarding place to build your career. Your next giant leap starts here.

Department: Major Gifts

Location: Purdue for Life Foundation

Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Develop and execute a plan to bring donors to the College of Health and Human Sciences and the University through frequent travel and active use of the development process, including solicitation of major gifts.
• Orchestrate and execute the advancement of relationships with prospective donors through appropriate stages of qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Solicit and secure major gifts aimed at meeting the strategic goals of the College of Health and Human Sciences and its leadership, programs, and disciplines, and the University.
• Use the full complement of the fundraising process, including personal visits and asks to move relationships forward.
• Frequent travel and/or evening and weekend duties are required.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with appropriate development and academic staff to develop prospect strategies and build relationships around department and campaign initiatives.
• Set specific goals and objectives to effectively advance toward solicitation of major gifts.
• Ensure appropriate coordination with various unit and University constituencies.
• Participate in development-related receptions and other donor events locally and regionally.
• Provide stewardship of gifts through the acknowledgement process, assisting with recognition events, dedications, and working with the Purdue for Life Donor Relations team on appropriate recognition.
• Become familiar with and understand key initiatives of the College of Health and Human Sciences relating to faculty, students, instruction, and research.
• Ensure effective records maintenance, including timely filing of requests for prospect assignments, prospect strategies and contact reports, using Purdue University’s prospect management system.
• Report regularly on the progress toward your annual action plan.
• Become adept at using the advancement databases in support of major gift activities.
• Continually improve professional competency through participation and/or leadership in professional organizational and other not-for-profit organizations.

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, including the demonstrated abilities to communicate well in writing and speak before large groups.
• Ability to learn, articulate, and represent the mission of the College of Health and Human Sciences and Purdue University.
• Ability to interact with stakeholders from a wide range of professional and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to use good judgment, diplomacy, maintain confidentiality and represent the University with tact and diplomacy at all times.
• Sound judgment, initiative, and ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team.
• Excellent relationship building, organizational and time management skills.
• Must have strong problem solving and decision-making skills, as well as attention to detail.
• Knowledge of finance, planned giving, alumni relations, and advancement communications preferred.

Required Education, Experience and Benefits Summary

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Development Officer: 1-3 years of relevant experience required.
• Senior Development Officer: 4-6 years of relevant experience required.
• Prior experience in fund development, including exposure to or solicitation of annual gifts, major gifts, and planned gifts is preferred but not a requirement.
• Experience in higher education or other non-profit organizations is preferred but not a requirement.

Job Level: Professional 4 or 5

*Purdue For Life Foundation job levels and compensation ranges are independent of, and differ from, those of Purdue University.

Benefits Summary for eligible employees

• 10 paid holidays per year.
• Accrue up to 22 vacation days a year.
• Traditional pre-tax 403(b) and Roth retirement plans available.
• 10% employer contribution to your retirement plan and immediate vesting.Health Savings Account- earn up to $700 annually towards medical expenses.
• Employer funded Preventative Dental and Vision insurance.
• Tuition discounts on eligible programs at Purdue University and Purdue Global for qualified employees, spouses, and dependents.