Development Officer, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism

Arizona State University; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism seeks a Development Officer to grow the annual and major gift donor pipeline through gifts up to $25,000. You will collaborate with ASU Foundation and school leadership, craft targeted donor strategies, and manage communications and stewardship across programs.

The role emphasizes writing compelling proposals, coordinating events, and moving donors into the major gifts pipeline while maintaining high ethical standards and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or current enrollment in a bachelor’s program.
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Experience in donor relations and fundraising is preferred.
• Ability to plan and execute development initiatives with strategic partners.
• Experience coordinating events and managing multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Engage with donors, alumni, parents, volunteers, and staff to secure gifts up to $25,000.
• Develop tailored strategies linking donor interests to giving opportunities.
• Collaborate with Cronkite School, ASU Foundation and university colleagues.
• Prepare proposals, case statements, and other collateral for gifts.
• Support annual giving campaigns and stewardship efforts.
• Assist Endowment Board engagement and major gift pipeline movement.
• Coordinate events, prospect management, and cross-functional projects.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Research & analysis

Database management

Discretion & ethics

Team collaboration

Verbal & written communication

Microsoft Office proficiency

Donor relations experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Advanced degree (preferred)

Tools

Salesforce

Workday

Job description

Development Officer, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism

The Development Officer is responsible for implementing and coordinating a comprehensive leadership and annual giving program aimed at identifying, cultivating, and securing gifts up to $25,000 in conjunction with the objectives and strategies of the ASU Foundation (ASUF) and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Development of the Cronkite School, the Development Officer will partner closely with Cronkite and ASU Foundation colleagues to contribute to the growth of the school’s annual and major gift donor pipeline. Success will be measured on the Development Officer’s ability to achieve financial goals and performance metrics consistent with the programs and portfolio assigned.

What you’ll do

• In support of the Cronkite School, actively engage with donors, alumni, parents, volunteers, faculty and staff, with a primary focus on securing annual and multi-year gifts and commitments up to $25,000 in accordance with core performance metrics
• Develop and execute customized strategies that leverage the donor prospect’s interests, connects them to giving opportunities and results in invitations to philanthropically support key initiatives and ongoing needs at the Cronkite School
• Serves as a thought partner and strategizes with team on best practices related to engagement, solicitations, events, and stewardship
• Connects donors and prospects to ASU through a variety of events and engagement opportunities
• Fosters collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams at the Cronkite School, ASUF development colleagues and University constituents by coordinating joint solicitation efforts, developing internal processes and procedures, and aligning marketing and outreach efforts for multiple development programs and initiatives
• Demonstrate strong writing skills and produce tailored case statements, proposals and other collateral as needed for securing and stewarding philanthropic gifts
• Support the design and execution of annual giving appeals and year-round stewardship campaigns
• Support the engagement of the Cronkite School’s Endowment Board of Trustees through committee and volunteer management and individual donor prospect strategies
• Assist in the planning and execution of the Cronkite School’s annual signature fundraising event, the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism
• Work effectively in the prospect management and tracking system and coordinate with research and prospect management to move donors into the major gift pipeline
• Coordinate special projects under the direction of the Senior Director of Development

What you’ll need

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with academic leadership, faculty, prospects, donors, and/or volunteers in a wide range of roles
• Ability to conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare effective, accurate, and timely reports and other documents to support development objectives
• Database management skills
• Ability to exercise good judgment, to demonstrate an understanding of ethics related to development activities, and to use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers, and others
• Ability to foster effective working relationships within a team environment
• Community relations skills and the ability to communicate and work effectively within a diverse community
• Program planning and leadership skills
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to Foundation and University business and confidential prospect information
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present effectively to small and large groups
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and comfortable working in donor/prospect computer database systems
• Ability to represent the institution well and possess an advocate’s belief in the vision of ASU as the New American University

Relevant qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or currently enrolled in bachelor’s degree program
• One (1) to three (3) years of successful development experience
• Demonstrated ability in securing major grants and gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other private funding sources
• Demonstrated ability in planning and implementing long- and short-range development initiatives in conjunction with strategic planning processes
• Demonstrated organizational skills and experience in managing events and other complex activities in support of development objectives

Preferred education and experience

• Advanced degree
• One (1) to three (3) years of successful fundraising experience or transferrable experiences working with donors and prospects in higher education or athletics for applicable roles
• Experience working in Salesforce and Workday

Preferred Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of fundraising techniques including proposal development, prospect identification, fund solicitation, database management, donor tracking, and social networking and marketing tools in higher education

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution
• 22 days of vacation time
• 11 holidays, including your birthday
• Parental leave
• Significant tuition reductions
• Professional development is highly valued at ASU Foundation, where employees are encouraged to look across the organization and nurture new areas of interest
• $30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement

About ASU Foundation

The ASU Foundation fosters partnerships between ASU and like-minded individuals, corporations and foundations who believe in ASU’s mission and provide resources for ASU to manifest its charter into meaningful impact. These partnerships empower ASU to advance student access, serve our community, protect the planet, create equity in higher education and conduct research for the public good. At the ASU Foundation we value Character: We prioritize character and integrity in every decision and action, establishing trust as the foundation of all that we do. Service We are dedicated to serving our students, donors, communities, and colleagues by fostering support and collaboration to ensure that our efforts are impactful. Innovation Innovation drives us to create meaningful opportunities and solutions, helping every member of our global community achieve meaningful outcomes. The ASU Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American Research University creating an institution that is committed to excellence, access and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes and how they succeed, not by those it excludes. ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good and assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it.

Learn More: Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American Research University creating an institution that is committed to excellence, access and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes and how they succeed, not by those it excludes. ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good and assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it. The ASU Foundation fosters partnerships between ASU and like-minded individuals, corporations and foundations who believe in ASU’s mission and provide resources for ASU to manifest its charter into meaningful impact. These partnerships empower ASU to advance student access, serve our community, protect the planet, create equity in higher education and conduct research for the public good. Our Mission: The ASU Foundation builds partnerships and relationships, uniting ideas, people, philanthropic support and investments to advance ASU’s goals for inclusion, student success, discovery and local and global impact. Our Vision: To become nationally recognized as the model for A New American University Foundation.

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