Reporting to the director of leadership and annual giving, the donor engagement officer (DEO) is responsible for helping to define a donor engagement and retention strategy for the Salem State University annual fund. The DEO is a frontline fundraising position responsible for enhancing donor engagement and securing philanthropic support for Salem State through personal outreach. Utilizing creative communications and data-driven analysis, the DEO will maximize information to engage new donors, renew past donors and upgrade current donors. As a new position, on a growing advancement team, the perfect candidate must be innovative and self-motivated with an entrepreneurial mindset. The DEO must be a goal-oriented multi-tasker who enjoys building relationships.    

The Advancement Team’s core purpose is to provide meaningful engagement to secure resources in support of the university’s mission. Our team members are driven by our desire to match donor passion with university priorities. We value innovation and positivity in a supportive and collaborative environment. We provide strategic and consistent professional development to enhance each team members’ personal growth. This position offers the right individual an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic team who raised a record-breaking $10.5+ million in fiscal year 2020-2021. As we embark on the largest campaign in Massachusetts state university history, we are looking for talented team members who are passionate about providing equal access to high-quality education.  

Duties and Responsibilities: 

The primary duties and responsibilities of the Donor Engagement Officer are to define and drive retention strategies for the annual fund, connecting with engaged alumni and digitally connected donors and prospects, virtually, for one-to-one visits, emails and phone calls, providing meaningful touchpoints with carefully curated content and stewardship opportunities. The Donor Engagement officer will also lead the efforts for all digital fundraising campaigns including the #GivingTuesday, Viking Warrior Day, crowdfunding and other advancement wide fundraising efforts utilizing social media ambassadors to expand reach of these programs.

Required Qualifications:

• Associate degree
• One to three years of experience in customer relations or donor engagement, sales, customer retention, fundraising and/or loyalty programs or transferrable retail sales role. Non-profit development or higher education experience is a plus 
• Digital and social media expertise and experience, as it relates to engagement, stewardship, sales, or related fields 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Demonstrated editorial experience and skills  
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, goal-oriented environment, simultaneously balancing diverse responsibilities 
• Experience working in web/digital fundraising, alumni relations, volunteer management or related field 
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and manage complex team projects 
• Ability to coordinate with multiple departments and work both collaboratively and independently 
• Advanced skills in social media platforms, database, Microsoft Office Suite and relevant marketing and communications software 

Potential for Permanent Hybrid/Remote Work: Institutional Advancement is part of a project to move some administrative functions to a permanent remote/hybrid work model, including this position. The permanent remote/hybrid work model project is currently in Phase One. During this phase detailed plans and policies will be developed, including the identification and provision of shared, reservable space for the occasional on-campus work that member of Advancement, including this position, may need to do.   

Applicants should be aware the position will start out primarily remote and may remain largely remote thereafter. The university reserves the right to set the conditions and location of the employment, including changing to a more traditional in-housework model if that is necessary to effectively meet the mission of the university and the responsibilities of this position. 

Ability to work a flexible schedule according to departmental needs, which may include occasional evenings and weekends.

Must hold and maintain a valid, unrestricted United States driver’s license with an insurable driving history as determined by Salem State’s insurance carrier.