The Phi Delta Theta Foundation is excited to announce a position opening for a hybrid major gifts and high-end annual fund position. The Advancement and Engagement Officer will travel within the United States to visit alumni and advance the mission of the Phi Delta Theta Foundation. This Foundation officer will also engage with alumni via phone, email, and events to grow annual fund society membership. This position will require at least four travel days each month and upwards of twelve travel days some months. Depending on experience, this position can be a senior-level position.
Job Summary
This position identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards gifts of $25,000 and above from alumni, parents, and friends of Phi Delta Theta. They will also be responsible for the Annual Fund Trustees’ Roundtable Society and Living Bond Society growth among loyal Annual Fund donors.
Duties/Responsibilities
Donor Focus: demonstrated ability to establish, cultivate, and steward relationships with donors and constituents to build and maintain a lifelong relationship with Phi Delta Theta.
- Manage a portfolio of seventy-five primary prospects and introduce them to giving opportunities with the Foundation.
- Responsible for soliciting gifts of $25,000 and above.
- Participate in all aspects of the gift cycle:
- Initiate contacts with potential leadership and major gift donors (eighty annually.)
- Develop appropriate cultivation strategies for them, including working with volunteers and trustees.
- Move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure.
- Maintain stewardship contacts with donors.
- Focus on securing support for a set of Fraternity educational programs and scholarships.
- Monitor all advancement team prospect contacts to ensure positive and purposeful prospect and donor relations.
Trustees Roundtable and Living Bond Society: Manage an engagement portfolio of 150 to 170 donors and elevate their society membership(s) through relationship building.
Stewardship: Participate in a bi-monthly stewardship process through phone conversations with new high-level donors.
Strategic Agility: demonstrated ability to provide leadership in decision-making that considers current processes, potential opportunities, and future conditions.
- When appropriate, plan and participate in various alumni cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship events in conjunction with alumni clubs and as special events sponsored by Phi Delta Theta.
- Adhere to the highest ethical standards; demonstrate empathetic disposition and perseverance in one’s work; reflect an optimistic attitude.
- Demonstrate superior people skills, including tack, diplomacy, sophistication, curiosity, and confidentiality.
Project Management: demonstrated ability to effectively plan and measure a plan while working towards successfully completing a specific goal.
- Serve as the project lead on the biannual Fellows program.
- Serve as a project lead for Giving Day Challenge Gifts and micro campaign completion.
- Ensure all contact reports are entered weekly for phone, in-person, and written correspondence with donors.
- Reports to the Senior Director of Annual Giving and Advancement Communications (or in the absence thereof to the Senior Vice President of Advancement). Assist other Foundation staff members and volunteers with fundraising initiatives. Consult and advise the Director of Advancement on major gift strategy.
- Support, in conjunction with other staff members, and participate, as appropriate, in Phi Delta Theta’s major conferences and other meetings supported by the Foundation.
- In cooperation with other staff members, write, edit, and print articles for The Scroll, and other communication devices to promote the Foundation and its activities.
- Participate in professional and inter-fraternity conferences and workshops (FFE, AFP, CASE) related to Foundation activities.
- Assist in executing all approved programs (i.e., Fellows, Trustee engagement), projects, and other functions of the Foundation staff.
- Monitor overall performance against objectives.
Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree and past professional experience in relationship building, alumni relations, or fundraising are preferred. Excellent organizational, written, oral, and interpersonal skills and a demonstrated initiative and innovation track record. Ability and interest to travel frequently, which may include nights and weekends. Must possess a valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.
Compensation and title will be determined based on experience and overall qualifications.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements
Stamina to travel as needed in addition to prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Application Process
Interested candidates should provide a resume, writing samples, and references to Cynthia Buresh.
