The University of Maryland’s division of University Relations is seeking a highly motivated, goal-oriented, enthusiastic professional to serve as a Development Officer for Leadership Annual Giving.

Reporting to the Director of Leadership Annual Giving, this position works collaboratively as a front-line fundraiser for the Leadership Annual Giving team (LEAD) to support all areas of the University to help build the major gift pipeline through the identification and solicitation of donors at the Leadership Annual Giving level ($1,000 – $49,999) throughout an assigned region.

The Development Officer for Leadership Annual giving will have several duties including but not limited to:

• Responsible for the discovery of new donors and solicitation of gifts from the University’s alumni, friends, parents and constituents
• Actively manage and develop a portfolio of leadership annual giving prospects throughout an assigned region
• Meet and exceed a set number of metrics including but not limited to: visits (in-person and virtual), solicitations, dollars raised, and referrals to major gift portfolios
• Identification, qualification, cultivation, and solicitation of mid-level giving prospects to create and grow a pipeline of donors
• Collaborate with colleagues to help align donors’ philanthropic interests with various priorities across campus
• Make donor referrals to university-wide major gift officers, as appropriate
• Provide timely post-visit follow-up, including tracking moves and solicitations, and sending personalized follow-ups to individual prospects
• Attend university-wide events and University Relations related meetings

Education
Bachelor’s degree

Experience
Minimum of 3 years of demonstrated success in the field of development, philanthropy, alumni relations, advancement or related/transferable industry. Relevant student and internship experience may be considered. The individual will be self-motivated and have a passion for the University and its mission. The candidate will clearly demonstrate necessary soft skills, relationship-building skills and organizational skills.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Must demonstrate the aptitude to represent the University in a highly professional and effective manner
• Must demonstrate aptitude to cultivate relationships with and solicit alumni and friends of the University
• Ability to work effectively as part of a dynamic team in a large, complex research university
• Experience in cold calling, negotiating, and closing business deals
• Must be a creative and strategic thinker with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently, while maintaining consistent and transparent communication with a team and leadership
• Ability to establish positive relationships with colleagues, volunteers and donors
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational and analytical skills, with great attention to detail and strong follow-up skills
• Self-motivated and self-starting
• Good listener
• Optimism, perseverance and a positive attitude
• Ability to travel throughout assigned region
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required
• Aptitude in work with databases, data, excel, and comfortable utilizing these tools
• Ability to thrive in a data driven environment

Preferences

• Knowledge of principles, practices, and ethics of fundraising
• Understanding of the development process and donor cycle
• Experience in higher education fundraising

Additional Information

• Candidates must be able to provide proof of eligibility to work in the USA. No Visa sponsorship is offered for this position.
• We are hiring two Development Officers, Leadership Annual Giving.
• This position will work on campus in an office environment, which requires the ability to operate standard equipment and keyboards. Must be able to meet with donors, including virtually, and travel throughout an assigned region. Occasional work on evenings and/or weekends required.
• Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify you from employment.
• The University of Maryland has made the safety of our students, faculty and staff, and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University System of Maryland (USM) recently announced that students, faculty, and staff on USM campuses this fall, including UMD, are required to be vaccinated against COVID. As a prospective and/or a new employee at UMD, you will be required to comply with the University’s vaccination protocol. Proof of full vaccination will be required before the start of employment in order to work at any University of Maryland location. Prospective or new employees may seek a medical or religious exemption to the vaccination requirement at return.umd.edu and must have an approved exemption prior to the start of their employment. Failure to provide proof of vaccination or to obtain approval for a medical or religious exemption will result in the offer of employment being rescinded.

Benefits offered
The University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 22 Days Annual Leave; 15 Days Sick Leave; 3 Days Personal Leave; 15 Paid Holidays; Tuition Remission; Health, Dental, Vision and Prescript

Diversity Statement
The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Campus/College Information
Founded in 1856, University of Maryland, College Park is the state’s flagship institution. Our 1,250-acre College Park campus is just minutes away from Washington, D.C., and the nexus of the nation’s legislative, executive, and judicial centers of power. This unique proximity to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies, and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled. Synergistic opportunities for our faculty and students abound and are virtually limitless in the nation’s capital and surrounding areas. The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and in the world.