Development Officer

The Development Officer serves as a frontline fundraiser for the University of Georgia central development office and is responsible for raising financial support for university-wide priorities as well as priorities for each of the 17 schools, colleges, and units within the university. Through frequent travel to assigned geographic areas, the Development Officer will conduct in-person meetings to qualify, cultivate and solicit individual prospects with a focus on securing annual leadership level gifts of $1,500-$10,000 while also qualifying major gift prospects for future cultivation in collaboration with major gift officers.

PROPOSED START DATE: 4/1/2025

LOCATION OF VACANCY: Athens Area

ADVERTISED SALARY: $59,280

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree
• 1-3 yrs professional experience related to fundraising, nonprofit management, higher education, sales, marketing, development, business administration, project management, or relationship management. Graduate-level degree may be substituted for experience.
• Knowledge of the University of Georgia is desired

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, and/or COMPETENCIES

• Innovative self-starter who displays an ability to learn quickly and easily adapts to changing situations
• Emotionally intelligent individual with excellent written and oral communication skills who can collaborate effectively with various stakeholders
• Highly motivated professional who is coachable and desires to learn and grow in this position
• Results-driven performer who is comfortable setting and achieving challenging goals
• Active collaborator who enjoys working with people and desires to work in a team-based environment
• Trustworthy teammate who operates with the highest level of integrity, honesty, and respect
• Comfortable working with database management software and maintaining sensitive information
• Knowledgeable of Word, Excel, and email

Additional Division Expectations:

• Through open, honest, and respectful communication, all staff, supervisors, and colleagues of the Division of Development & Alumni Relations are expected to interact with fairness, compassion, and decency. All employees will be held accountable for meeting the expectation of promoting a stable, productive, and healthy work environment.
• Adherence to CASE standards and commonly accepted industry standards relating to fundraising reporting are expected of all fundraisers. All fundraisers will be held accountable for meeting this expectation

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• (50%) Conduct scheduled face-to-face meetings with prospective donors, alumni, and UGA constituents in assigned geographic areas. The purpose of the meetings is to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward University-wide prospects and donors. Goals are established and agreed upon annually by the Associate Senior Regional Director and the Development Officer. Responsible for achieving all annual fundraising and performance goals and for allocating and prioritizing time and resources to achieve the greatest return on investment.
• (20%) Complete managerial processes critical to travel, scheduled meetings, and fundraising performance. Record all meetings, interactions, and plans in the giving & alumni database (GAIL) in a thorough and timely manner. Regularly complete reports and submit required information needed to track fundraising performance.
• (15%) Create collaborative partnerships with development and alumni colleagues across campus to build effective fundraising strategies and maximize donor potential. When appropriate, partner with colleagues from the 17 schools, colleges and units to secure gifts benefiting their respective areas. Attend division and development staff meetings and scheduled individual strategy meetings.
• (10%) Actively participate in opportunities for professional development to gain new skills, take on new challenges, receive professional mentorship, explore the field of Development and Alumni Relations, and expand knowledge about the University and its mission.
• (5%) Perform other duties as assigned to include, but not limited to: Completing special projects and initiatives, collecting and presenting data, staffing university-related events, and cultivating and stewarding prospects not originally assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability and willingness to travel (by car, air, train, or bus) domestically as needed.
• Work weekends, evenings, and other non-traditional schedules, as necessary.
• Sit and work at a computer workstation for an extended amount of time
• Work using electronic mail, telephone, face-to-face discussions, paper form correspondence
• Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listening
• Organize and establish priorities; Remember detail; multi-task
• Lift and/or move up to 30 pounds of boxes, materials, and/or equipment, as necessary.
• Walk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, climb, drive

ABOUT THE DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENT & ALUMNI RELATIONS

(https://dar.uga.edu/)

The Division of Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Georgia advances the goals, objectives, and priorities of the university by generating private financial support, building, and maintaining relationships with alumni and donors, and assisting students with career development opportunities.

ABOUT THE OFFICE OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

(https://dar.uga.edu/regional-development/)

The Regional Program team builds and maintains relationships with alumni and friends to raise leadership and major gifts for the University of Georgia. The Regional Directors build a culture of philanthropy in regions across the country while strengthening affinity for UGA. Through frequent travel to assigned cities, this team provides strategic direction and leadership for alumni and friends as they make philanthropic and volunteer decisions.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

(https://www.uga.edu/)

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education. The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 1,800 full-time instructional faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 40,000 students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).