Lycoming College is hiring a Development Officer to join our Advancement team.
Lycoming College, one of the nation’s oldest residential liberal arts and sciences colleges, invites candidates for a full-time opening with the Advancement team as a Development Officer with a primary focus on Leadership Annual Giving.The Development Officer is a front-line fundraiser who serves as the point-person for engaging and qualifying alumni, parents, and individuals who may be capable of supporting Lycoming College at a leadership annual level of $1,812 or greater. The Development Officer will identify, cultivate, and solicit prospects with the inclination and capacity to be a donor in support of Lycoming College.
Who We Are: Founded in 1812, Lycoming College is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected residential liberal arts and sciences colleges and has been recognized for the quality of its experiential programming and supporting students in gaining the skills needed to succeed in today’s world. Students partner with faculty in doing original research, thrive in a robust program of internships, study abroad in more than two dozen countries and compete in 19 NCAA Division III sports. Lycoming College’s strong endowment per student provides the foundation to support a first-rate undergraduate education.Ranked as a top 100 national liberal arts college, Lycoming offers more than 100 majors, minors, and concentrations to about 1,100 active learners, representing 31 states, territories and 16 countries. International and domestic students of color comprise 37% of the student body with 53% women and 47% men.The College proudly celebrates and values the principles of inclusive excellence. In its 2021 Strategic Plan, Lycoming College committed to recruiting more faculty and staff from historically underrepresented groups. The community works to foster an inclusive campus community and to support the success of all faculty, staff and students. The College recognizes that a diverse faculty, staff and student body benefits all students and community members and advances our goal of preparing its graduates to become ethical, informed and engaged individuals.The College proudly celebrates and values the principle of inclusive excellence. In support of its commitment to establishing an inclusive and equitable campus, Lycoming College seeks to recruit more faculty and staff from historically underrepresented groups with the recognition that doing so advances institutional excellence. Lycoming College is an equal opportunity employer.
What will I do in this role?
- Actively develop and manage a portfolio of leadership annual giving prospects.
- Identify, qualify, cultivate, and solicit mid-level giving prospects to create and grow a pipeline of donors, with an emphasis on leadership annual gifts of $1,812 and greater.
- Meet and exceed a set number of metrics including but not limited to visits (in-person and virtual), solicitations, dollars raised, and referrals to major gift portfolios.
- Keep detailed and accurate records of contacts with all prospects and work closely with advancement operations to gather meaningful information on prospects.
- Spend 75% of time with or working on prospects and generally cultivating increased engagement with alumni and friends of the College.
- Assist in the implementation and execution of capital campaigns, fundraising strategies and initiatives, development events, management of volunteers, and special projects as directed by the AVP for Major & Planned gifts.
- Collaborate with other gift officers with regard to current trends in major and planned giving, personal solicitation strategies, and donor cultivation.
- Collaborate with AVP for Major & Planned Gifts and the Director of Advancement Operations to prepare annual goals that identify priorities; set strategies for moves management expectations of assigned portfolio; and identify professional development opportunities to improve knowledge and skills and stay current with trends in development.
- Proactively and creatively engage with campus partners including Admissions, Center for Enhanced Academic Experiences (CEAE), and others to facilitate volunteer referrals driven by specific donor interests with a goal of increasing engagement and willingness to consider a major gift over time.
- Maintain a working knowledge of institutional priorities that may match donor passion and interest.
- Manage an efficient and responsible travel schedule and make use of the budget provided.
- Contact a variety of alumni and friends in addition to assigned prospects through written correspondence, telephone calls, and participation in special events such as Homecoming, Alumni & Reunion Weekend, donor appreciation events, volunteer committee meetings, and regional alumni activities. Occasionally participate in the planning and management of such events.
- Represent Lycoming at a variety of internal and external events.
What are we looking for?
Educational:
- Bachelor’s degree preferred, Associate’s degree with the addition of several years’ experience within the related field acceptable.
Experience and Qualifications:
- Proven success in fundraising, sales, or similar client relationship-based field; multiple years’ experience preferred; higher education experience a plus.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, especially listening skills for discerning donors’ interests and concerns.
- High motivation for succeed coupled with diplomacy, tact, and consistent follow through.
- Ability to forge strong working relationships with others and a capacity for engaging confidence and trust among prospects and donors.
- Willingness and ability to travel is a must.
- A valid PA driver’s license and driving record acceptable of the College’s insurer is required.
- Ability and willingness to work occasional evening and weekend hours in addition to the regular workday required.
- Computer skills essential (knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel; experience using email and internet)
- Demonstrates professionalism and contributes to fostering a positive work/learning environment
What We Offer!
Lycoming College has an excellent benefits package available for the full-time candidate that includes:Health & Wellness Benefits:
- Health insurance – Lycoming College offers a wide variety of health plan options available.
- Dental insurance, including orthodontia coverage.
- Vision insurance
- Flexible spending accounts for medical expenses and dependent care expenses
- Life & accidental death and dismemberment insurance
- Long-term disability insurance
- Short-term disability insurance
- Cancer insurance
- Personal accident insurance
- Wellness program
- Employee assistance program
Retirement Benefits:
- 403(b) retirement plan with up to 8% contributions from the College
Tuition Benefits:
- Free tuition for employees, spouses, and eligible dependents at Lycoming College
- Free tuition for eligible dependents at over 600 colleges nationwide through Tuition Exchange, Inc.
- Free tuition for employees, spouses, and eligible dependents at the Pennsylvania College of Technology
Paid Leave Benefits:
- Generous paid time off (PTO)
- Paid Parental Leave
- 14 holidays per year
- Summer hours
Employee Perks available for both full-time and part-time candidates:
- 15% discount at the campus bookstore, excluding textbooks and snacks
- Reduced rates for meal packages for on-campus dining facilities
- Use of the campus recreations center and gym facilities for employees and household family members
- Use of the campus Library
How do I Join the Warrior Team?
Please submit a cover letter, Resume/CV, and a list of three references with contact information. Candidates will be evaluated on their ability to illustrate how their experience and skills connect to the qualifications of this position.Review of application materials will begin immediately and will cease once the position has been filled.
Lycoming College Proudly Celebrates and Values Diversity. We are committed to fostering an inclusive campus community supporting all faculty, staff, and students. We encourage applications from candidates with diverse identities and all who are interested in supporting and contributing to our mission and strategic plan. Lycoming College is an equal opportunity employer.