Regional Advancement Senior Officer- San Francisco Bay Area

Purdue Research Foundation; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Savings Account

403(b) plan

Tuition discounts

Job summary

Purdue For Life Foundation in the San Francisco Bay Area seeks a Regional Advancement Senior Officer to lead the Bay Area Initiative, identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gifts across the region. This role focuses on building a robust donor pipeline and fostering partnerships with campus colleagues.

You will collaborate with internal teams, advance strategic fundraising goals, and travel frequently, including evenings and weekends, to engage donors and secure gifts that support Purdue

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years' fundraising experience.
• Experience with annual, major, and planned gifts.
• Higher education or non-profit fundraising experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advance Purdue Bay Area fundraising strategy by identifying and soliciting major gifts.
• Build and manage a major gifts pipeline in the Bay Area.
• Collaborate with campus partners to develop donor strategies and proposals.
• Travel frequently and accommodate evening/weekend duties.
• Solicit gifts in person and maintain donor relations.

Skills

Public speaking

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Relationship building

Team collaboration

Travel readiness

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM systems

MS Office

Remote working technologies

Job description

Regional Advancement Senior Officer- San Francisco Bay Area

Department: Major Gifts

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Purdue for Life Foundation

Compensation: $140,000 - $170,000 / year

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.

Responsibilities

The Bay Area Regional Advancement Senior Officer plays a critical role in advancing Purdue University's "Bay Area Initiative" fundraising strategy by identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting individual prospects throughout the region. This position is responsible for building and managing a strong major gift pipeline while expanding Purdue's philanthropic presence in one of its most strategic markets. Working in close partnership with unit-based development officers, academic leaders, and central advancement colleagues, the Regional Advancement Senior Officer connects donor interests with Purdue's highest priorities through a coordinated, team-based fundraising approach. This position is based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Fundraising Strategy and Execution

• Develop and execute a plan of engagement to bring new prospects and donors to the University through active use of the development process and collaboration with campus partners.
• Prepare proposals and solicit prospects for major gifts in accordance with existing unit and individual metric requirements.
• Orchestrate and execute the advancement of relationships with prospective donors through appropriate stages of qualifications, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Collaborate with appropriate campus development colleagues to develop prospective strategies, build relationships, and goal of securing financial support.
• Set specific objectives to effectively advance toward solicitation of major gifts.
• Become broadly familiar with key initiatives of the University relating to faculty, students, instruction and research.
• Frequent travel and/or evening and weekend duties are required.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Public speaking skills essential.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills essential, including the ability to communicate well in writing.
• Must be able 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.
• Ability to articulate the mission of Purdue University as needed.
• Possess initiative and the ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team.
• Excellent relationship building skills, organizational skills and ability to handle multiple projects.
• Must be able to solicit gifts in person.
• Desire to continuously improve professional competency through participation in professional development opportunities.
• Basic computer skills are essential.
• Knowledge of philanthropy and fundraising principles are desired.
• Other duties assigned by the Executive Director

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to speak before large groups.
• Ability to display patience, empathy, and compassion surrounding sensitive client cases and experiences.
• Ability to articulate the mission of Purdue University as needed.
• Ability to interact with stakeholders from a wide range of professional and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to use good judgement, diplomacy, maintain confidentiality and represent the University with tact and diplomacy at all times.
• Possess initiative and the ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team.
• Excellent relationship building, organizational skills, and ability to handle multiple projects.
• Must have strong problem solving and decision making skills, as well as attention to detail.
• Ability to travel and perform evening and weekend duties as required.
• Good computer skills are necessary including working with Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) systems, working knowledge of MS Office, and familiarity with remote working technologies.
• Regular and reliable attendance are requirements of this position.

Required Education, Experience and Benefits Summary

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of 5 years' relevant experience required.
• Prior experience in fundraising, including exposure to or solicitation of annual gifts, major gifts, and planned gifts is required.
• Experience in higher education or other non-profit organizations is preferred but not a requirement.

Job Level: Professional 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 $550 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.