Development Officer - Mexico/International

New Mexico State University (NMSU), New Mexico’s flagship land-grant and space-grant institution, and the NMSU Foundation seek a highly-collaborative, thoughtful, and entrepreneurial fundraising professional to serve as Development Officer. The Development Officer (DO) will join a dedicated advancement team, contributing to the Foundation’s growth, and will play a critical role in identifying opportunities to support NMSU community impact, especially for students and faculty. Responsible for the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals capable of making gifts of five- and six-figure and up, the DO will manage and develop a diverse portfolio and will collaborate closely with fellow Foundation staff to ensure prospects and donors are best served in their pursuit of helping the NMSU Aggie family reach their fullest potential. This is a wonderful opportunity for an accomplished fundraiser to develop their craft further, raise philanthropy at NMSU to the next level, and join a vibrant community.

For the NMSU community, private philanthropic support is vital to increased accessibility. The recently-completed Ignite Aggie Discovery Campaign, the largest in the university’s history, raised over $125 million across three distinct pillars – student discovery, faculty and staff discovery, and NMSU achievement. Of the total, $39 million was dedicated for student support, and $56 million was raised for programmatic and research support. With an endowment of over $230 million, NMSU and the NMSU Foundation have a massive opportunity to raise even more for student, faculty, and community success. 

Critical to the continuation and growth of NMSU’s impact, and building off the momentum from the Ignite campaign, the University will rely on talented, motivated development leaders to amplify its fundraising and broader Aggie community engagement strategies. With a new Foundation President joining in Spring 2020, there is an energetic eagerness throughout the advancement team to develop and execute on an ambitious growth plan. To do so, NMSU is looking to attract professionals with the unique balance of fundraising success, authenticity, and passion for the New Mexico community.

Ideal candidates will be dedicated, hard-working, and curious. They must possess the proven ability to work with a widely diverse set of stakeholders and have the personal maturity and political acumen to communicate effectively with University leaders, state politicians, prominent alumni, and donors of all kinds. A personal and professional commitment to valuing the differences in who we are, what we’ve experienced, and how we think, is vital. Excellent leadership and organizational skills in addition to superior verbal, written and interpersonal skills are essential. Spanish speaking is required.

Required Education & Experience

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree. Salary commensurate with experience. 

New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University invites you to apply to be a part of a diverse, dynamic and welcoming learning and working environment in Las Cruces, NM. NMSU seeks employees who are creative and flexible in developing and evaluating new ideas and ways to evolve NMSU into the future. Located in the borderlands and adjacent to the mighty Rio Grande, NMSU is a proud Hispanic-serving institution in the minority-majority state of New Mexico. Southern New Mexico features an average of 294 days of sunshine annually, making NMSU ideal for job-seekers who enjoy hiking, mountain biking, canoeing and bird-watching. NMSU is committed to sustainability through improving and maintaining the quality of human life while preserving the integrity, stability, and beauty of ecological systems for the future. We are looking for student-centered employees with a passion for success. NMSU invites you to take the first step to your successful and rewarding career by applying today.

NMSU is New Mexico’s land-grant and space-grant institution, a comprehensive research institution dedicated to teaching, research, public service and outreach. In addition, the NMSU system includes a satellite learning center in Albuquerque, Cooperative Extension Service offices located in each of New Mexico’s 33 counties, and 12 agriculture research and science centers. New Mexico State University is the institution of choice for more than 15,000 students from 49 states and 89 foreign countries.

Las Cruces

The City of Las Cruces is the second largest city in New Mexico and is located in Doña Ana County, approximately 45 miles north of El Paso, Texas, and 225 miles south of Albuquerque. Las Cruces is the economic and geographic center of the Mesilla Valley, the agricultural region on the floodplain of the Rio Grande which extends from Hatch to the west side of El Paso, Texas. The Organ Mountains, 10 miles to the east, are dominant in the city’s landscape, along with the Doña Ana Mountains, Robledo Mountains, and Picacho Peak. Las Cruces lies within a short driving distance of the Mexican border at Santa Teresa, as well as many other locations in the broader borderland region.

Geography, climate, demographics, and ambiance of Las Cruces and NMSU combine to offer a truly excellent place to thrive. Family members will discover a warm, open community that offers an attractive array of activities and outdoor recreation, amenities, services and opportunities, whether they are looking for top-notch education, meaningful employment, or simply a safe and comfortable place to live.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Develop a fundraising and alumni relations strategy for Border, Mexico and South American countries in coordination with the Sr. AVP of External Relations and AVP of Development, present this strategy proposal to Foundation Sr Leadership, and execute the approved strategy.
• Assists in the planning, organizing, and implementation of fundraising activities.
• Participate in NMSU Border, Mexico and International strategic planning efforts on behalf of the Foundation. Coordinate with NMSU leaders to develop fundraising priorities for Border, Mexico and South American initiatives.
• Travel to Mexico and South American countries on a regular basis (at least 6 times per year), as approved by the AVP of Development, to cultivate relationships with and solicit gifts from alumni, donors and prospects.
• Organize and lead delegations of NMSU and Foundation faculty/staff to meet with key stakeholders in Mexico and South American countries, with a focus on cultivating relationships and soliciting support and gifts.
• Coordinate with the Development team, including Corporate and Foundations Relations Officers, to develop a fundraising strategy and donor prospect list for Border and Mexico initiatives.
• Develop relationships with US based funders of Border and Mexico initiatives and coordinate with Development staff to produce and deliver funding proposals.
• Working under the guidance of a Director of Development or AVP of Development, travels extensively visiting donors.
• Assists in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of gifts.
• Assists Development Officers in fundraising activities.
• Makes cold calls to alumni and friends of New Mexico State University to build and cultivate relationships and solicit gifts.
• Organizes information and prepares reports designed to identify fundraising opportunities and that supports planning and decision making regarding prospective donors.
• Assists in the identification and enhancement of fundraising techniques designed to build and cultivate relationships among individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Participates in special projects and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

In addition to the abilities to achieve the above core responsibilities, ideal candidates will possess the following qualification and attributes:

• Knows and applies fundamental concepts, practices, and procedures of higher education fundraising.
• Working knowledge of a variety of fund-raising strategies and methods.
• Skill in the use of personal computers and related software applications.
• Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities. Database and records management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present effectively to small and large groups.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community.
• Skills in budget preparation and fiscal management.
• Under minimal supervision, performs complex assignments and fulfills broad responsibilities where required outcomes are defined, but methods and procedures may vary based on professional judgment or precedent.
• Considerable latitude for action.
• Confers with supervisor on unusual matters.
• Coordinates the work of others on projects and may assign work to and assist less experienced professionals or support staff. May act in an advisory capacity to managers or faculty.
• Demonstrated ability in securing gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other private funding sources.
• Demonstrated ability in planning and implementing long- and short-range development initiatives to meet established priorities.
• Ability to direct and manage staff and volunteers, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
• 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 conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare reports and other materials.
• Ability to foster effective working relationships within a team environment.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate activities and special events.
• Ability to provide technical coordination and management of development and/or implementation projects in area of expertise.

How to Apply

We only accept applications from our website please use the link below. The electronic application is the official document that will be used to qualify applicants. Paper/email documents will not be accepted. Required documents must be attached to this application.

https://jobs.nmsu.edu/postings/42347 

NMSU is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.