The mission of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) is to foster an exceptional culture of philanthropy by engaging supporters, volunteers, learners, and educators in significant relationships to secure resources necessary for the university to fulfill its educational mission.

As part of DAR, the Annual Giving Officer is a full-time, benefits-eligible administrative staff position that reports to the Senior Assistant Director of Regional Development, and is part of the Regional Travel Team within the Annual Fund. The mission of this department is to secure annual budget relief and designated funds through the cultivation and solicitation of alumni, parents, friends and the community.

The primary responsibility of this position is maximizing annual gifts to Bucknell University through personal solicitations, identification of potential leadership donors, effective stewardship, and cultivating relationships. In addition to working with individual prospects, the Annual Giving Officer will actively assist Bucknell in building and supporting relationships with alumni, parents, and friends, which may include volunteer networks, to promote the University and its philanthropic priorities.

We seek a candidate for this role whose experience and expertise will contribute to Bucknell’s commitment to diversity and inclusiveness.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Solicit up to 250 significant annual gifts each year from an assigned portfolio of prospects (face-to-face visits and telephone) to generate unrestricted and designated support, and to assess constituent financial capacity and inclination to support the university (basic donor qualification).
• Travel will include 100-125 meaningful and strategic donor visits each fiscal year within assigned geographical regions (individual solicitation and donor qualification).
• Work creatively, thoughtfully, and strategically to ask, and secure increased gifts from an assigned portfolio of Annual Fund donors, and to develop a prospect pipeline of alumni to transition to Leadership Gifts and Gift Planning departments.
• Manage all aspects of your portfolio (up to 250 households): identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of top annual fund prospects. This will involve working closely with your supervisor, and may involve collaboration with Leadership Giving, Gift Planning, and Prospect Research to develop comprehensive strategies for each top annual fund prospect.
• Participate in regular individual portfolio review and group sessions related to portfolio management and strategic travel.
• Maintain up-to-date information in the database on significant prospect contacts regarding solicitations, and evaluations (including rating recommendations, prospect interests, career and family changes, etc.). Timeliness and robust contact reports are essential.
• May serve as a staff liaison to one or more alumni affinity groups, programs, and/or designated funds (including volunteer efforts if necessary), supporting efforts both on and off campus.
• Develop proficiency with the database query tools.
• Participate in division-wide and university-wide committees and project teams to advance priority projects of the University such as staff searches.
• Related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two years of successful fundraising experience, equivalent sales experience, or proven work in a related field. The individual must demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed using a combination of skills and experience.
• Ability to function independently and be self-motivated, yet relate comfortably to a multifaceted fundraising environment, contributing to a total team effort.
• Ability to travel frequently (may include flying) and to put together efficient, productive itineraries while staying within allotted travel budget.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize.
• Proficiency with database software, email, calendar software, Google Docs, and Microsoft Office, (Word, Excel).
• Superior written and oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interface professionally and tailor communications with the academic community, colleagues, parents, alumni, and diverse audiences.
• Ability to work occasional weekends and evenings dependent on work load or event support.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree.
• Direct, one-to-one fundraising experience, particularly conducting personal solicitations in a higher education environment.

DAR Professional Guidelines:

All Development and Alumni Relations staff are required to abide by the ethical guidelines set forth in the ethics statements of the Counsel for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), the Association of Prospect Researchers for Advancement (APRA), and the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE). In addition, all Development and Alumni Relations staff are required to master the Bucknell University / Development and Alumni Relations policies on confidentiality, database usage, and privacy.

Professional Development:

All Development and Alumni Relations staff are expected to participate in and contribute to their own professional growth and that of their Bucknell colleagues by participating in trainings, conferences, and other learning opportunities as student and leader when appropriate.

Development and Alumni Relations Event Support:

All Development and Alumni Relations staff members are expected to support the division’s signature events each year, including Reunion Weekend, Homecoming Weekend, Family Weekend, Scholarship Day, Employer Expo and other events as requested.

It is very important that these events be fully staffed, as defined by the event planners. During these signature events, staff members will be asked to work significant portions of the weekend. Staff members should be prepared to work on Friday evening, Saturday (day and evening) and Sunday morning, if it is deemed appropriate by the event planners. Staff members should also be prepared to assist with event preparations in the days leading up to the event, by volunteering to help with specific tasks, as requested by the event planners.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusiveness:

All Development and Alumni Relations staff members are expected to demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusiveness.

Bucknell University provides equal opportunity without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, marital status, veteran status or disability in admissions, employment and in all of its educational programs and activities.

Bucknell University believes that students learn best in a diverse, inclusive community and is therefore committed to academic excellence through diversity in its faculty, staff, and students. We seek candidates who are committed to Bucknell’s efforts to create a climate that fosters the growth and development of a diverse student body, and we welcome applications from members of groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education. Bucknell University is a private, highly ranked, national liberal arts institution that also offers strong professional programs in engineering, business, education, and music. Located in Central Pennsylvania along the Susquehanna River, Bucknell is nestled in the Borough of Lewisburg, an architectural gem that has been ranked as one of America’s best small towns.

Bucknell is a NCAA Division I (FCS) and Patriot League member institution, that sponsors 27 varsity athletics programs.