Senior Development Officer

The Institutional Advancement Office at Saint John’s University invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), benefit eligible position of Senior Development Officer.

The Senior Development Officer (SDO) is responsible for helping expand the resource base for Saint John’s University by building relationships with major gift prospects including alumni, parents and friends. The SDO leads the solicitation of Annual Fund Fellows Society support and oversees select regional advancement activities. They implement strategies for discovery visits, cultivation, solicitation, and recognition of individuals at major gift levels, while fostering volunteer leadership in the fundraising process. The SDO utilizes innovative outreach and solicitation tactics, new technologies, and professionalism to deepen engagement and financial support from Saint John’s benefactors.

Institutional Inclusion Visioning Statement

The College of Saint Benedict (CSB) and Saint John’s University (SJU) believe that an excellent liberal arts education requires an understanding and appreciation of cultural difference and that everyone deserves to feel safe and morally valued. To that end, we will challenge our own practices and systems. Our commitment to an inclusive environment will be incorporated into all decision-making processes. We dedicate ourselves to cultivating an equitable, inclusive community founded on respect for all persons.

CSB and SJU offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits program (click the benefits tab above the position summary section to view more information). For further information regarding our institutions, visit CSBSJU.

The posted wage represents CSB and SJU's good faith estimate of likely compensation at the time of posting. Actual pay will be dependent upon several factors, including the candidate's experience, qualifications, and skills, and may fall outside of the range indicated.

Major Gift Responsibilities (75%)

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 major and leadership gift prospects for the campaign.
• Implement strategies for the cultivation, solicitation, recognition and stewardship of major gifts.  
• Manage schedule to ensure personal visits with assigned prospects and regular “discovery” visits to include making a minimum of 20 personal visits per month.
• Monitor individual performance goals and objectives.
• Work closely with other senior development officers to ensure effective coordination of effort to reinforce the prospect relationship continuum.
• Complete appropriate follow up activities, including personal letters of thanks, and submit regular call reports on prospects/donor visits.

Regional Advancement Responsibilities (10%)

• Manage SJU regional advancement activities in several out-of-state areas.
• Develop and implement advancement strategies for these regions specifically in the area of donor cultivation and solicitation.  
• Consult with University Relations team members to advance alumni relations cornerstone initiatives and to facilitate events and stewardship programs.      

Volunteer Engagement Responsibilities (10%)

• Work cooperatively with the IA Development Team to identify and recruit campaign gift regional team members.
• In coordination with the Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement, help execute the training of select campaign volunteers.  
• Manage the work of Regional Gift Team volunteers in the assigned regions, including monitoring call activity and providing timely support.
• Manage the work of select project Gift Team volunteers including monitoring call activity and providing timely support.

Other duties as assigned (5%)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:     

• Bachelor's degree required.
• At least four years of successful experience in advancement, education, or the not-for-profit sector, or five years of related experience. Related experience may include, but is not limited to, sales, recruitment, account management, lobbying, or other forms of fundraising.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with donors and professional advisors.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and donor management databases.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including active listening, the ability to ask insightful questions, and persuasive communication, particularly regarding higher education and the Catholic tradition.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative with minimal supervision.
• Willingness to travel and work evenings/weekends as required to fulfill job responsibilities.
• Motivated, reliable team player dedicated to advancing higher education, with a commitment to Catholic education and the mission of Saint John’s University.
• High level of competence, discretion, judgment, and confidentiality is expected at this level of responsibility.
• Must hold a valid driver’s license.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Volunteer management experience preferred.
• Specialized knowledge related to planned giving and major gifts fund-raising preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• This position requires standing for long periods of time during event management.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. on occasion in support of development events.
• This position also requires extended periods of time at a computer.
• Must be able to work in a wide variety of environments indoor and outdoor in support of events.
• Ability to move frequently between locations, such as airports, hotels, and meeting venues.
• Ability to drive rental cars in various locations, which may require long hours of driving.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Travel locally, regionally and nationally to identify, cultivate and solicit donors, and to represent SJU at community and college-sponsored events as needed in order to meet established activity and revenue goals.

Applications are accepted online by clicking on "Apply." Candidates are asked to complete the application form and submit a cover letter and resume.

If you require an accommodation to participate in the SJU hiring process, please contact Human Resources at (320) 363-5500 or [email protected].

It is the policy of SJU to conduct a pre-employment background check. An offer of employment is contingent upon a successful background check. Saint John's University also utilizes E-Verify as part of its onboarding process to confirm work authorization.

Saint John's University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University are Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employers.