Development Officer - Walter Cronkite School of Journalism

Development Officer, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism

The Development Officer is responsible for implementing and coordinating a comprehensive leadership and annual giving program aimed at identifying, cultivating, and securing gifts up to $25,000 in conjunction with the objectives and strategies of the ASU Foundation (ASUF) and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development of the Cronkite School, the Development Officer will partner closely with Cronkite and ASU Foundation colleagues to contribute to the growth of the school’s annual and major gift donor pipeline. Success will be measured on the Development Officer’s ability to achieve financial goals and performance metrics consistent with the programs and portfolio assigned.

What you'll do

• In support of the Cronkite School, actively engage with donors, alumni, parents, volunteers, faculty and staff, with a primary focus on securing annual and multi-year gifts and commitments up to $25,000 in accordance with core performance metrics

• Develop and execute customized strategies that leverage the donor prospect’s interests, connects them to giving opportunities and results in invitations to philanthropically support key initiatives and ongoing needs at the Cronkite School

• Serves as a thought partner and strategizes with team on best practices related to engagement, solicitations, events, and stewardship

• Connects donors and prospects to ASU through a variety of events and engagement opportunities

• Fosters collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams at the Cronkite School, ASUF development colleagues and University constituents by coordinating joint solicitation efforts, developing internal processes and procedures, and aligning marketing and outreach efforts for multiple development programs and initiatives

• Demonstrate strong writing skills and produce tailored case statements, proposals and other collateral as needed for securing and stewarding philanthropic gifts

• Support the design and execution of annual giving appeals and year-round stewardship campaigns

• Support the engagement of the Cronkite School’s Endowment Board of Trustees through committee and volunteer management and individual donor prospect strategies

• Assist in the planning and execution of the Cronkite School’s annual signature fundraising event, the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism

• Work effectively in the prospect management and tracking system and coordinate with research and prospect management to move donors into the major gift pipeline

• Coordinate special projects under the direction of the Senior Director of Development

What you'll need

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with academic leadership, faculty, prospects, donors, and/or volunteers in a wide range of roles

• Ability to conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare effective, accurate, and timely reports and other documents to support development objectives

• Database management skills

• Ability to exercise good judgment, to demonstrate an understanding of ethics related to development activities, and to use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers, and others

• Ability to foster effective working relationships within a team environment

• Community relations skills and the ability to communicate and work effectively within a diverse community

• Program planning and leadership skills

• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to Foundation and University business and confidential prospect information

• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present effectively to small and large groups

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and comfortable working in donor/prospect computer database systems

• Ability to represent the institution well and possess an advocate’s belief in the vision of ASU as the New American University

Relevant qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or currently enrolled in bachelor's degree program

• One (1) to three (3) years of successful development experience

• Demonstrated ability in securing major grants and gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other private funding sources

• Demonstrated ability in planning and implementing long- and short-range development initiatives in conjunction with strategic planning processes

• Demonstrated organizational skills and experience in managing events and other complex activities in support of development objectives

Preferred education and experience

• Advanced degree

• One (1) to three (3) years of successful fundraising experience or transferrable experiences working with donors and prospects in higher education or athletics for applicable roles

• Experience working in Salesforce and Workday

Preferred Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of fundraising techniques including proposal development, prospect identification, fund solicitation, database management, donor tracking, and social networking and marketing tools in higher education

The ASU Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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