Position Summary: 

Advancement Officers serve as members of a dynamic team of dedicated, goal-oriented fund-raising professionals.  Advancement Officers work collaboratively as members of the Advancement Division to maintain a highly integrated and seamless approach to furthering the strategic and financial goals of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA).  Advancement Officers are responsible for the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of annual gifts and major gifts with portfolio goals of $500,000 to $1,000,000.

Essential Responsibilities: 

• Collaborate with other advancement officers to identify and qualify prospective donors using best practices for matching donor interest with institutional priorities.
• Manage a portfolio of up to 250 prospective donors, meeting or exceeding institutional performance metrics.
• Monitor progress towards achieving revenue goals.
• Attend regular prospect clearance, track, and manage meetings.
• Develop and implement strategies to ensure successful solicitation of cash gifts from constituencies in support of the CIA’s initiatives.
• Document contacts and prospects ‘moves.’ Track progress using Millennium, Crystal reports and prospect tracking system.
• Draft, design and prepare proposals needed for the solicitation of prospective donors.
• Draft, design and prepare personalized materials needed for the recognition and stewardship of donors, including gift acknowledgment.
• Establish annual and long term goals and objectives and performance metrics in consultation with the Senior Advancement Officers and Vice President of Advancement based on the CIA’s plan.
• Engage with major gift prospects face-to-face and in one-on-one settings and at CIA sponsored events.
• Develop collaborative relationships and communications across department lines.
• Integrate institutional core mission and priority initiatives within funding proposals.
• Implement a strategically planned travel schedule to meet with prospects and donors individually and at industry and CIA-sponsored conferences aligned with strategies and outcomes.
• Any and all other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications: 

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university, with a concentration in fund-raising, advancement, development, communications, business, finance or related field preferred.

Experience:

• Three (3) to five (5) years of progressive experience within fund-raising or higher education with documented success matrix.
• Successful track record to date in previous corporate, foundation and organization fund-raising roles, producing superior results.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Appreciation for the unique role played by The Culinary Institute of America in the food service industry and higher education.
• Preferred membership with a fund-raising or philanthropic organization, such as CASE, APRA, etc.
• Master’s degree or advanced professional degree preferred with a concentration in fund-raising, advancement, development, communication, business, finance or related field preferred.

Required Skills: 

• Must have outstanding strategic, tactical, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated strong facilitation and presentation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
• Ability to have an approach to problem solving that is highly collegial and positive in outlook and approach.
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills; ability to be adaptable, dependable and handle multiple priorities simultaneously, while working under pressure.
• Ability to interpret and articulate vision.
• Ability to use sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive Advancement information with confidentiality and discretion.
• Must have a high level of energy and self-motivation.
• Strong computer experience, which must include abilities to work effectively with e-Learning systems, fund-raising database systems and MS Office suite products, i.e. Word, Excel, Advanced skills in Power Point required.
• Exhibit creative skills and entrepreneurial spirit.
• Exhibit enthusiasm for team development and growth.
• Success-oriented with drive to achieve ambitious goals.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong commitment to serve.

Working Conditions: 

• Ability to travel due to business needs.
• Regular work requires a great deal of sitting and standing for extended periods. Must be available to work nights and weekends as required due to business needs.

Additional Information: 

At The Culinary Institute of America, it is important to us that we support our employees with a substantial and meaningful package of benefits.  We believe in supporting our employees with benefits to assist with work life balance.

Benefits are offered based on the position type and status. Benefits offered may include:

• Medical and prescription drug plan
• Dental plan, Vision plan
• Insurance: Life, Home, Auto, even Pet!
• Short- and long-term disability plans
• Generous paid time off programs, including paid holidays
• Retirement savings plan 403(b) with company contribution
• Employee assistance program
• And more!

The CIA has implemented a policy requiring all employees, students and on-site contractors to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.  Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants when legally required.