Advancement Officer

Position Title Advancement Officer
Position Approval Date 11/14/2023
Is this position budgeted? Yes
Is this position an essential position? No
About Susquehanna
Susquehanna University is the future-ready institution for today, invested in cultivating intellectual grounding, active learning and global citizenship for all students. Renowned as one of the finest U.S. national liberal arts colleges, Susquehanna inspires and challenges 2,200 enterprising, bright-minded students studying the arts, business, humanities and sciences. Our students seize opportunities through exceptional worldwide internships, expert-guided research and an acclaimed study-abroad program, leading to a transformative education that empowers each graduate to realize their unique potential and lead a successful and meaningful life.

The Susquehanna River Valley with its fresh air and overall pleasant year-round climate, provides four distinct seasons amidst a backdrop of vibrant autumn foliage, occasional winter snowfalls, flower-filled springs and warm summer evenings illuminated by fireflies. Nearby outdoor recreational areas for hiking, kayaking, fishing and skiing — and the bustling cultural and commerce hubs of New York City, Washington D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia within a three-hour drive — present abundant opportunities for learning and discovery.
Position Summary
Job Summary

Susquehanna University offers an opportunity for an early to mid-career advancement professional to join an outstanding team in a highly collegial and collaborative environment and to make a real impact on the university's next campaign. Following the historic success of the Give Rise campaign which exceeded $185 million and concluded in 2023, Susquehanna is preparing for the next chapter in philanthropic support for this exceptional university. With possibilities for career growth and professional development, this is an outstanding opportunity to elevate your career with a first-rate team.

The Advancement Officer reports to the Sr. Director of Leadership Gifts and will work to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, close and steward major gift prospects, soliciting outright major gifts of support, bequests, and other planned gift vehicles. The position also assists with annual fund efforts and alumni engagement as appropriate. The ability to combine a sales and marketing attitude with strong relationship-building skills is essential. The Advancement Officer joins a committed and collaborative team of Advancement professionals promoting a life- long culture of philanthropy to the SU community and currently building additional momentum at the conclusion of an historic and highly successful fundraising campaign for the University. This position is defined as an exempt position under FLSA regulations.

Specific Responsibilities
· The Advancement Officer will be assigned to a geographical region and will work with the Sr. Director and Advancement Services and Donor Relations to identify, prioritize and qualify prospective donors within that region into a prospect pool of approximately 100 to 120 individuals.
· While specific goals will be set annually it is expected that the Advancement Officer will make a minimum of visits with prospects and donors each year.
· Participate in planning and goal setting for the leadership gifts team and collaborate in developing strategies and tactics for achieving these goals. The goals will include annual individual and team targets for visits, solicitations, closures and dollars raised.
· Plan, implement, evaluate and document an ongoing and appropriate series of moves that enhance prospective donor relationships with the university and that lead to important philanthropic support of SU.
· Develop strategies and prepare and deliver written and/or verbal proposals for prospective major donors seeking gifts in the range of $25,000 to $1,000,000 or more and work towards goals of total major/planned gifts closed at a minimum of $500,000 within the first year with expectations of total major/planned gifts closed annually of $1,000,000 after 24 months.
· Provide effective and meaningful stewardship to donors within the prospect pool and recommend, plan and implement events and activities as appropriate in support of cultivation and/or stewardship objectives.
· Identify and secure collaborative partners to help reach out to prospective donors. These partners include advancement colleagues, faculty, deans, senior administrators, alumni, parents and trustees of SU.
· Prepare solicitation materials, briefings, contact notes and follow up communications and materials in a timely manner.
· Attend varied University events and participate in university and Advancement/Alumni events including Homecoming, reunions, stewardship and other similar events as appropriate.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
· Skilled at written and verbal communication, including formal presentation to groups.
· Ability to set priorities, work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and alumni affinity groups.
· Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications including Outlook and a database for prospect management purposes.
· Superior written and oral communication skills are required.
· Strong interpersonal, organizational, strategic, and analytical skills.
· Occasional evening and weekend work required, as well as overnight travel.

Required Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree required.

Experience
Two to five years of fund raising, sales, or marketing experience or an equivalent amount of experience in an academic institution in a position that demonstrates a sophisticated appreciation of the mission, goals and financial priorities of the institution. The individual's background in these roles should be characterized by initiative, achievement, and success.

Physical Demand
The position requires ability to sit for long periods of time at a desk and to drive a car as well as the ability to travel by air. Frequent local travel, moderate regional travel, occasional national travel. Position requires the ability to move about the campus.
Position requires the ability to talk and to hear instruction.
Position requires occasional manual dexterity and the ability to use fingers, hands, and arms to feel, handle, and reach. Position requires occasional stooping, crouching, and bending.
Position requires the ability to occasionally lift to 10 pounds.
This position requires a valid driver's license, and the ability to drive and qualify under the university's insurance carrier when driving a university and/or leased vehicle.
Preferred Qualifications
Special Instructions to the Applicant
Benefits Eligible Yes
Number of Months 12 months
Additional Work Schedule Details?
Hours per week during the academic year (39 wks)
Hours per week during the summer (13 wks)
Status Full-Time Benefits Eligible