Jackrabbits Student Engagement Officer

South Dakota State University Alumni & Foundation; Brookings (SD); On-site; USD 2,066,000 - 3,031,000; Full time

Job summary

South Dakota State University Alumni & Foundation seeks a Jackrabbits Student Engagement Officer to advance donor engagement through digital channels, video content, and personalized outreach. The role focuses on building relationships with alumni, students, parents, and friends to inspire philanthropic giving and connect them with university impact.

The position emphasizes content creation, diversification of outreach methods, and maintaining accurate donor communications while aligning with

Qualifications

• Must be a current SDSU student.
• Experience creating and editing video content is preferred.
• Customer service and public speaking experience are advantageous.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally in writing, phone, and in person.

Responsibilities

• Engage with alumni, students, parents, and friends using digital channels to encourage giving.
• Create and distribute content that communicates impact and fosters donor connections.
• Maintain records of communications in the university donor database.
• Understand academic college priorities to align content and opportunities for engagement.

Skills

Customer service

Public speaking

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Independent work

Team collaboration

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Current SDSU student

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Outlook

PowerPoint

Job description

Position Summary

The Jackrabbits Student Engagement Officer position leverages digital communication tools to provide a scalable, personalized engagement and giving experience for identified donor groups. This role adapts, creates, and distributes content that builds meaningful connections, expresses gratitude, encourages fundraising support, and communicates the impact of philanthropic gifts. This position plays a vital part in engaging the next generation of donors and building the pipeline of philanthropic support for the university.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Digital Engagement

• Establish and manage donor-centered relationships with a portfolio of prospects comprised of alumni, students, parents, and friends of the university.
• Use a combination of modern communication channels, including video, email, social media, texting, virtual visits, and phone, to provide scalable engagement and solicitation opportunities that reflect the donor’s unique interests.
• Deepen connections with current and potential donors.
• Create messaging content that engages with students, alumni, parents, and friends of the university through multiple channels to inspire philanthropic giving.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records of pertinent communications following prospect and donor engagements within the database.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the priorities of our academic colleges and the university to develop a digital library of relevant content and effectively match the interest of prospects and donors to university-wide engagement and giving opportunities.

Uphold SDSU Foundation Standards

• Uphold the standards of the SDSU Foundation, especially pertaining to quality control and other elements that impact relationships with donors and use of data and information.

Other Duties

• Other duties may be assigned to meet the organization’s needs.

Education Requirements

Must be a current South Dakota State University Student. Previous experience creating and editing video content, working in customer service, and/or speaking publicly is preferred but not required.

Additional Qualifications

Qualified individuals will possess the following:

• Ability to think critically and solve problems, sometimes independently.
• Excellent listening skills.
• Reasonable knowledge and familiarity with the university.
• A high level of interpersonal skills, both in person and by phone, to handle sensitive and confidential situations with varied internal and external constituencies.
• Customer service skills requiring clear communication in person, on the phone, and in writing are essential.
• A high level of integrity, including ability to treat confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to be organized and resourceful to locate and compile information and accomplish projects with minimal supervision.
• Consistent attention to detail in composing and proofing materials, establishing priorities, and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a collaborative team environment with professional demeanor, self-reliance, and resourcefulness.
• Dependability and punctuality.
• High energy, positive attitude, and high degree of initiative.
• Proficient experience using the most recent versions of computer software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, database and presentation software (i.e. MSWord, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Typical Physical Demands

Requires sitting, standing, bending, reaching, and some lifting. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office machines such as computers, fax machines, calculators, the telephone, and other office and/or clerical equipment. Requires normal range of hearing and vision.

Employee Statement of Understanding

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Regular attendance is required in this job. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship. The SDSU Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.