Assume a prominent role in the college’s fundraising efforts through innovative management of donors, cultivation of new prospects, and engagement of alumni and friends. This is a highly-visible position requiring energy, diplomacy, sophistication, and an understanding of philanthropy and higher education.

The Development Officer will develop strategies to move new prospects into the major gifts pipeline. Working with other team members, this individual will cultivate relationships with alumni, donors, friends, and external constituents in order to generate annual capital and estate gifts for Colby-Sawyer College. Sound judgment and a deep appreciation of the College’s culture and values will be critical to successful engagement of all Colby-Sawyer constituencies.

Responsibilities: 

• Manage a portfolio of leadership annual giving and major gift prospects; identify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects for annual fund gifts between $2,500 and $25,000 and major gifts from $25,000 to $250,000 in range.
• Work with VP for College Advancement, Director of Development and other staff to design and implement major and planned giving programs. Provide assistance in development of annual and long-term operating plans, including setting annual and long-term quantitative and qualitative goals.
• Work with Director of Alumni Relations and the Director of Annual Giving to develop and implement outreach and cultivation activities and events for alumni donors and prospects, as well as target constituencies. Participate in assigned special events and receptions as they pertain to assigned prospects.
• Respond to prospect and donor inquiries and requests, including developing gift opportunities and related written materials.
• Travel and meet with new and former prospects, in order to develop a strategy to uphold their involvement.
• Develop a wide range of written cultivation, solicitation, acknowledgement and stewardship materials including correspondence.
• Assume leadership of at least one office-wide project focused on donor engagement (athletics, parent engagement, etc.).
• Serve as liaison to one of Colby-Sawyer’s three school advisory boards.
• Assist in formulation of budgets for major giving unit and other special initiatives, as appropriate.
• Participate in Development-related activities and events (Homecoming and Reunion weekend, commencement, etc.).
• Observe safety requirements. Report safety issues and items requiring work orders to supervisor or security.
• Work effectively with all college employees and students.

Qualifications: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Proven ability to solicit and close gifts.
• Organizational skills, including time and project management.
• Availability for significant travel, along with a valid driver’s license.
• Experience in higher education preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least three years of experience in institutional development or related field.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least three years of experience in institutional development or related field.

Attendance & Punctuality:

• Always regular and prompt
• Must physically be present at work
• Available some weekend and evening hours as needed.

Computer Skills:

• Sufficient computer skills to perform routine word processing and record-keeping functions.
• Sufficient understanding of computerized databases to efficiently capitalize on technology resources related to tracking and analyzing relevant data.

Other Skills & Abilities:

• Precise and professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work well with the public and cooperatively with other staff and departments.

To Apply: 

• E-mail your cover letter and résumé to [email protected].
• Candidates who can actively contribute to racial, ethnic, or cultural diversity on campus are encouraged to include this information in the cover letter.
• A complete COVID vaccination is a condition of employment as of August 1, 2021.

Colby-Sawyer College is a comprehensive liberal arts-based institution located in scenic Central New Hampshire, recognized for the excellence of its academic and co-curricular programs. Our faculty and staff consider it an important and welcome aspect of their jobs to get to know, encourage, inspire, and offer guidance to each of our students.

Colby-Sawyer College is committed to being an inclusive and diverse campus community, which celebrates multiple perspectives. Under institutional policy, as well as under state and federal law (including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the Age Discrimination Act), Colby-Sawyer College does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices or its admission practices on the basis of gender, race or ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, age, mental or physical disability, family or marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic information, or gender identity.