Reports To:         Development Director                                                           Revision Date:              June 2023           

Exempt Status:    Exempt / Salaried                                                                Type:                            Full-time

Position Summary:

The Development Officer - Regional Liaison is responsible for identifying and visiting gift prospects in the Central New York region to research, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward them through the giving cycle; qualify newly identified prospects as future potential major-gift donors; and to secure unrestricted annual-fund level gifts as prospects are moved through the gift cycle towards a major gift.  An ability to empathize with donors and clearly communicate our organization’s mission is key to achieving success in this role. 

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Manage and expand portfolio of gift prospects in the Central New York region.

Make face-to-face visits with prospects to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward them along the giving cycle; qualify newly identified prospects as future potential donors; and secure unrestricted annual fund gifts as prospects are moved through the gift cycle towards a major gift.

Collaborate with the Director of Development to manage a broad portfolio of gift prospects in the Central New York region at various stages of their relationship with MMRI.

Support and collaborate with Director of Development, to assess priorities for local development and communications projects, including giving institute tours, managing local events and procuring local donors, as well as attending and giving presentations.

• Other responsibilities include effective communication and partnership with colleagues, peers and fundraising managers within a diverse number and variety of fundraising programs; management of regional volunteer committees, as needed; planning and management of regional fundraising events; recording activities, contacts, proposals, and strategic plans in the donor database.
• Other duties as assigned and as needed.

Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree required with proven success in donor cultivation and obtaining significant gifts or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience in a higher education or non-profit setting preferred, direct experience with fundraising, and volunteer management.

Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to initiate, collaborate, implement, monitor, evaluate and advance strategic plans that support the activities of the program and contribute to the overall goals and objectives of development and fundraising.

Superior interpersonal skills with proven ability to successfully interact and collaborate with varied constituencies in a professional manner.

Ability to apply good judgment and proven responsible decision-making skills; tact and discretion are required to deal with highly confidential donors and prospect information.

Must be a detail-oriented, self-starter with a demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple projects and priorities to meet aggressive timelines and challenging deadlines.

Working knowledge of electronic mail and calendars, the Windows environment, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access, donor databases (Raiser’s Edge/NXT), Adobe Acrobat, etc.

Must be able and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Must be able and willing to travel frequently throughout the northeast to attend relevant programs and events and to meet with current and prospective donors and leadership volunteers to further cultivation and solicitation strategies.

Assists in short and long-range planning activities and events to identify and achieve fundraising goals and objectives regarding St. John’s Weekend and/or other events.

Physical Requirements:  

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift, carry, push and pull up to 15 pounds at times.
• Occasionally required to walk, stand, bend from the waist, and stand.
• Reach with hands and arms.
• Speak, hear, read, and comprehend English.

*Note:  The employee must be able to complete all the physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Work Conditions:  

Office environment, working primarily at a desk with a computer and phone. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

Travel:                               

25-50% travel