Division of University Advancement: 

Building stronger connections with UB’s 280,000+ alumni and donors worldwide is critical to the university’s goal: to situate UB among the nation’s top 25 public research universities. UB alumni and friends are grateful and generous, supporting the largest, most ambitious fundraising campaign the university has ever launched. Through Boldly Buffalo: The Campaign for UB, we seek to raise $1 billion. We invite you to join our University Advancement team and be part of our historic efforts.

University at Buffalo: 

The University at Buffalo, a flagship university of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, is a research-intensive public university dedicated to academic excellence and making a positive impact on the world. As a member of the prestigious American Association of Universities (AAU), UB is recognized as one of the leading research universities in the world, while remaining affordable for many firstgeneration students. Home to more than 31,000 students from diverse backgrounds, UB offers exceptional student experiences inside and outside the classroom. By attracting the world’s best faculty and students, UB elevates the educational experience, brings an influx of national and global talent to Western New York, secures federal investments in academic research that tackles pressing societal problems, and catalyzes growth and innovation across business and industry. Here, students and faculty work side by side, seeking knowledge and practice that leads to better health, stronger buildings, more compassionate and just communities, innovative ways to teach, a more sustainable environment and smarter business practices for our world.

Position Summary: 

The Digital Gift Officer (DGO) is a key member of the dynamic and mission-driven University at Buffalo (UB) Advancement Team. In addition to joining UB’s talented team of advancement professionals, the DGO will have the opportunity to take part in a cutting-edge advancement program that will change the face of annual giving.

Two positions are available, one supporting general engagement of alumni and the Honors College and the second supporting the Health Sciences (Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences; Schools of Dental Medicine, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nursing, Public Health and Health Professions, and Social Work).

This role is critical to helping the University at Buffalo achieve both its near-term annual giving goals and long-term fundraising objectives and to developing qualified major gift referrals. The incumbent should be a self-motivated professional with a team-first optimistic attitude, and an eagerness to learn and embody the UB spirit. They should be a results-oriented individual who is willing to engage alumni and UB friends at a high velocity and in a highly personalized manner.

Responsibilities: 

• Actively engage with and build relationships with a portfolio of 1,000 current and lapsed donors and potential donors; proactively monitor engagement to identify and launch initiatives that drive donations.
• Leverage technology including digital communications tools, social media platforms and video conferencing software tools to build rapport, steward and solicit donors in an alumni-centric, targeted, high-velocity manner.
• Execute monthly and quarterly touchpoint cadences (averaging 40-50 outbound touchpoints per day) across portfolio to ensure consistent and relevant donor communication.
• Meet and exceed clearly defined activity metrics, fundraising outcomes, and pipeline growth targets.
• Be fluent in the “menu” of engagement and philanthropic opportunities across the university (regional alumni events, on-campus events, mentorship and volunteer opportunities, crowdfunding campaigns, fundraising priorities) to inform conversations and solicitations.
• Embrace a “mile-wide and inch-deep” approach to knowledge generation to inform interactions with donors and prospective donors across the institution.
• Build relationships across the university to facilitate meaningful connections with donors and areas of interest as applicable.
• Attend events as needed, and aid in outreach and follow up for events and activities on behalf of University Advancement.

Reporting Relationships: 

Supervisory: The DGO reports to the Executive Director of Annual Giving.

Functional: Within University Advancement, the DGO will collaborate with colleagues in Annual Giving, Advancement Communications, Alumni Engagement, Honors College, and with advancement officers in the six health sciences schools.

Key Qualities for Successful Fundraising: 

The DGO must have the desire to pursue a career in higher education advancement; possess a high degree of grit and resilience and desire to challenge the status quo; have an unceasing “can do” attitude. The DGO must be results-oriented with professional characteristics that include leadership, commitment to confidentiality, flexibility, team-orientation, organized with an attention to detail, highenergy, optimism, and unquestioned professionalism. The DGO will be adept at strategically guiding philanthropic conversations and developing and stewarding philanthropic relationships. The DGO must have the ability to use digital technologies in all aspects of the role; information, communication, and basic problem-solving skills, and be data-centric in their approach to achieving success.

The DGO also must be able to articulate the mission and goals of a public institution of higher education.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree.
• A minimum of two years’ experience in a fund-development role, with demonstrated success in goal-achievement, planning and personal solicitation.
• Related experience in professional sales/marketing, financial planning/advising and other fields will be considered.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills across mediums, especially via video conferencing
• Strong collaboration and organizational skills, as well as the ability to prioritize effectively
• Strong work ethic with a desire to become a leader in the development space
• Able to manage confidential material responsibly and interact professionally with a wide spectrum of individuals

Salary range: $50,000-$65,000

The University at Buffalo is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and, in keeping with our commitment, welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities. The University is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic University community committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment.

UB offers highly competitive salary and benefit packages for its advancement staff.