Leadership Gifts Officer II
Southern Methodist University Inc

Job Info

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Description

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

Development and External Affairs (DEA) supports SMU by securing funding for University priorities; by promoting meaningful involvement in the life and work of the University; by heightening international, national, state and local awareness of SMU; and by supporting the enrollment of a diverse and able student body.

DEA comprises the offices of Office of the Senior Vice President, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, Development Services, Program Services and Donor Relations, Marketing and Communications, Principal and Major Gifts, and School and Project Development.

SMU continues to leverage the benefits from the largest fundraising campaign in its history to achieve dramatic increases in academic quality and impact.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Leadership Gifts Officer II is responsible for developing, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding a portfolio of approximately 250 alumni and other constituents (parents, faculty, staff, current students and friends) with the potential to provide annual operational giving support at the $5k-$99k level. The Officer will collaborate with DEA colleagues to maximize prospects' giving potential, moving them to major gift prospects in the future. The Officer will also be responsible for qualification of prospective donors who may indicate potential to support the University at increased levels.

Essential Functions:

• Engage in prospect management to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of up to 250 prospects at the $5K -$99K level with specific focus in the 50K-99K range. Maintains the goal of ensuring consistent and increased giving while cultivating donors toward major gifts and/or volunteer roles as appropriate. Maintain frequent contact with assigned prospects through visits and other correspondence with a goal of 10-15 visits/month.
  
• Collaborate with other colleagues to receive and qualify approximately 80 discovery prospects annually (including unrated prospects who are currently giving to operational giving funds), determining creative cultivation and solicitation strategies by phone, mail, email and in person visits.
  
• Work closely with Research and Prospect Management, Records and Gift Administration, internal department colleagues and Donor Relations to appropriately manage prospects, providing accurate records of visits, efforts, strategies, progress and involvement of all assigned prospects in SMU's database.
  Maintain strong communication links with University colleagues to ensure a coordinated approach.
  
• Solicit gifts for university priorities including Giving Day, with an additional focus on donor retention and acquisition as well as reactivation of lapsed donors.
  
• Maintain working knowledge of the major areas for included in fundraising for operational support, including schools, units, student aid, student life, libraries, and athletics.
  
• Assist with and attend Annual Giving Office events aimed at cultivation and donor stewardship, as appropriate, i.e. signature weekends including Homecoming, Family Weekend, and Commencement.
  
• Other duties as assigned
  
• Position requires occasional evening and/or weekend work and occasional travel for work.
  
  

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree is required. A degree in Sales, Nonprofit Management, Fundraising, Communications, or Marketing preferred.

A minimum of three years of work experience in fundraising or sales is required.

College or University advancement experience working with alumni, parents, and volunteers is highly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks in an organized fashion.

Candidate must have the ability to articulate a persuasive case for support, develop appropriate cultivation strategies, solicit donors in a timely fashion, and communicate effectively.

Candidate must have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office. Experience working with or a working knowledge of a constituent database/CRM (i.e. Blackbaud/Raiser's Edge, etc) for prospect management is highly preferred.

Knowledge of SMU culture or University fundraising and an understanding of marketing and marketing strategies toward a fundraising or sales objective preferred. Knowledge of social media is a plus.

Certifications in Microsoft and Fundraising are preferred.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Bend
• Reach above shoulders
• Squat
• Handle objects (dexterity)
• Kneel
• Stand
• Push/Pull
• Exposure to marked changes in temperature/or humidity
• Drives motorized equipment

Deadline to Apply:

February 10, 2025

Priority consideration may be give to submission received by January 29, 2025

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

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