Development Officer

As a part of a diverse community of faculty and staff who represent many faith systems and worldviews, Marian University seeks a Development Officer to promote our Catholic Franciscan mission and identity through the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major gifts and deferred gifts/pledges from alumni, parents, friends, the business community, and others.

Marian University launched its Forging Leaders Initiative in 2017 to raise $250 million by 2025. This bold vision has resulted in more than $190+ million raised to date (May 2021) and with the support of the Board of Trustees a new goal of $307 million by 2025 has been established. This initiative will provide support for student scholarships, facilities, and other innovative efforts with special emphasis to be placed on the recently established E.S. Witchger School of Engineering. To achieve its vision of the future, University leadership recognizes the need to strengthen its Office of Institutional Advancement. With sound leadership in place, there is an identified need to recruit a Development Officer who is motivated, thoughtful, detail oriented, and has the personal skills to engage donors and friends of the University. The successful candidate will report to the V.P for Institutional Advancement and play a key role in building relationships with donors, alumni, and other constituents while securing investments from their assigned portfolios.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Role & Candidate Profile:

The Development Officer will be a passionate and outgoing fundraising professional with previous portfolio experience preferred or commensurate business development experience, a demonstrated history successfully developing and soliciting major gifts ($25,000 and above), possess a deep appreciation and affinity for the vision and work of Marian University and embrace the opportunity to identify and cultivate new prospects for the E.S. Witchger School of Engineering. He/she will be self-motivated and goals oriented to proactively grow his/her portfolio by assessing and leveraging Marian’s database and resources

Fundraising:

• Promote the vision and mission of a great, Catholic, liberal arts university through the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major gifts (defined at $25,000+) through annual, multi-year, and deferred gifts/pledges from various constituents to include alumni, parents, friends, the business community, and other prospects.
• Serves as an ambassador connecting with donors and providing them with opportunities to become/remain engaged in the life of Marian University and see their philanthropic support making a difference.
• Partners with the President, deans, faculty/staff, and other members of the advancement team to cultivate and solicit major gifts through a prospect management process.
• Maintains an ever-changing portfolio of approximately 150 prospects. A willingness and eagerness to identify new prospects to support the E.S. Witchger School of Engineering will be needed.
• Serves as a member of the volunteer committee charged with fundraising support for the Forging Leaders Initiative; support assigned volunteers in their efforts to cultivate and solicit gifts on Marian’s behalf.

Leadership:

• Excels at both working independently and thriving as part of a collaborative team.
• Mentors development officers and other members of the external fundraising team in articulating philanthropic goals and institutional priorities, building the fundraising pipeline, fundraising strategy, relationship management and volunteer management.
• Participates in or leads special projects, as assigned.

Reporting/Accountability:

• Meets or exceeds monthly, quarterly, and yearly goals with regard to the number of personal visits, solicits, and gift securing. Regular progress reporting and tracking is required in a timely manner.
• Possesses strong organizational skills, the ability to juggle multiple projects and priorities, and the ability to develop relationships with people of all backgrounds and experiences.
• Recruits, trains, and supports volunteers in their involvement with committees, taskforces, and fundraising endeavors.
• Adheres to established budget and expenditure guidelines.
• Participates in advancement events by securing sponsors, promoting attendance, and providing strategic direction in the planning process. Advancement events include a gala in the fall, athletic awards dinner in the spring, various appreciation/recognition events, golf outing, etc.
• Attends various on and off-campus events as a representative of Marian University.
• Executes all activity in a manner that is consistent with the strategic plan of the University and the Office of Institutional Advancement.

Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university.
• Demonstrated fundraising success with a minimum of three years direct fundraising experience, preferably in a college or university environment.
• The ability to write, analyze, and interpret giving information, financial reports, and legal documents and utilize this information in planning processes.
• The ability to effectively present (written and verbal correspondence) information and respond to questions from internal and external constituents.
• The ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Must be able to incorporate these conclusions/findings into strategic and tactical plans.
• An understanding that occasional events and activities occur outside of work hours— including some nights and weekends—and are necessary to perform the duties of this job satisfactorily.
• Be willing to conform to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines through analysis and problem-solving skills.
• Effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Exhibit professionalism and high ethical standards for maintaining confidential information.
• Must be able to have and maintain a valid Indiana driver's license without restrictions.
• Raiser’s Edge database experience preferred.
• Must be well-organized, self-starter, a collaborative planner, and work with members of the Institutional Advancement team individually and in groups.

Compensation:

Salary is competitive and attractive for this position. Marian University offers an excellent benefits package including health and dental insurance and full Marian University undergraduate tuition benefits for employees and their families.

Location:

The Development Officer will be located in Marian University’s Office of Institutional Advancement and Development in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Application Process:

Apply Online Here: https://marian.peopleadmin.com/postings/411

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applications require a cover letter, a current resume, contact information for three professional references, and responses to the supplemental mission questions.

Marian University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.