Advancement Officer

Job Details

Level

Experienced

Job Location

Marist School - Atlanta, GA

Position Type

Full Time

Job Title: Advancement Officer

Department: Office for Institutional Advancement (OIA)

Reports to: Director of Leadership Giving

FLSA Status: Full-time (12 months, Exempt, Salaried)

MISSION

The unique mission of Marist School to form the whole person in the image of Christ is created by blending three distinct traditions: the pursuit of academic excellence, the heritage of Catholic education, and the spirit of the Society of Mary. This mission is advanced through communal pursuit of excellence in academic, religious, extracurricular, leadership, and service programs.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Marist School seeks to foster a community of inclusion that respects the dignity of the individual in the areas of age, gender, religion, ability, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, culture, and sexual orientation. This obligation to build a community of inclusion is based on Sacred Scripture, the Teachings of the Catholic Church, and the spirit and traditions of the Society of Mary. All members of the Marist School community are responsible for advancing an understanding of and a respect for diversity.

Summary

The Advancement Officer is a key member of the Office for Institutional Advancement (OIA), which includes Development, Alumni Engagement, and Communications. Reporting to the Director of Leadership Giving, the Advancement Officer is responsible for qualifying, engaging, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of leadership gift donors and prospects to advance the mission and strategic priorities of Marist School. The Advancement Officer also coordinates various volunteers and assists with special fundraising projects. This is a 12-month, full-time staff position with occasional evening and weekend commitments.

RESPONSIBILITES

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 to 200 prospective and current donors capable of making a leadership gift to fund institutional priorities (i.e., Annual Fund, capital and special projects, endowment, Georgia GOAL, etc.). Develop and implement engagement, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for the assigned prospect pool. Draft personalized correspondence, gift proposals, endowed fund agreements, and named space agreements as needed.
• Work closely with the Annual Giving team to engage and solicit leadership Annual Fund gifts from prospects and donors in portfolio. Assist the Annual Giving team with other Annual Fund solicitations as needed.
• Meet or exceed measurable performance goals and related metrics with respect to number of meaningful contacts and gift revenue.
• Engage and coordinate fundraising volunteers in engagement, solicitation, and stewardship processes as needed.
• Maintain moves management process in Raiser’s Edge database for assigned prospects and volunteers’ prospects (i.e., track actions, enter call reports, and ensure database reflects communications and interactions that move donor relationships forward).
• Actively participate in OIA Prospect Management meetings and collaborate with team members on strategies.
• Collaborate with OIA team members and campus partners to increase philanthropic gifts to Marist School and remain conversant with the full range of Marist School’s funding priorities.
• Attend various Marist School events to actively connect with prospects and donors (i.e., President’s Circle Reception; St. Peter Chanel Dinner; Homecoming Dinner, Reunion Weekend activities, and other alumni events; Eagles’ Nest events; Mothers Luncheons; etc.).
• Coordinate the fundraising efforts of select milestone reunion classes. Specific responsibilities include collaborating with reunion volunteers and OIA staff to develop and implement class-specific strategies; coordinating volunteer committee meetings and trainings; communicating with and preparing materials for volunteers; analyzing prospect pools and assigning ask amounts; directing the solicitation efforts of volunteers; and personally soliciting reunion prospects as needed.
• Maintain a general understanding of planned giving vehicles and promote planned giving when appropriate to maximize donor potential and support. Assist the Director of Leadership Giving in managing Heritage Circle activities.
• Assist in developing and implementing strategies for stewardship events, future capital campaigns, and special fundraising projects.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Leadership Giving or Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
  
  

Qualifications/Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3-5 years of experience in development, preferably in an annual giving or major gifts role.
• Commitment to the mission of Marist School and a willingness to serve as an ambassador for the school both internally and externally.
• Proven ability to network; develop engagement, solicitation, and stewardship strategies; conduct in-person and virtual prospect/donor visits; and successfully close gifts for capital, endowment, and annual support.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills; ability to effectively articulate the mission of Marist School and provide a compelling case for support to various constituents.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills and demonstrated sensitivity and good judgment when dealing with donors, faculty, parents, alumni, volunteers, and others.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with a demonstrated ability to be self-directed and highly motivated to meet deadlines in a time-sensitive, fluid environment. Strong attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team and to navigate change and manage challenges positively and professionally.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook; experience with Raiser’s Edge desired.