Alumni Development and Stewardship Officer

The Alumni Development & Stewardship Officer is responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewardship of Schreiner’s alumni and former students throughout Texas in cooperation with others on the development team. Success is demonstrated by annual increases in alumni giving participation rates, increases in dollars raised from alumni and former students, and increases in alumni and former students, including Schreiner, in their estate plans. The Alumni Development & Stewardship Officer works synergistically in two major functional areas, university fundraising and donor and alumni stewardship. This individual will spend 70% of their time on annual gift cultivation and solicitation activities and 30% of their time on alumni relations and stewardship.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Works collaboratively with a development team that includes the Director of Development, the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, other development officers, volunteers, advancement services, the Vice President for Advancement, the university President, and trustees.
• Manages a portfolio of at least 105 alumni/former student constituents, develops written solicitation strategies and proposals, purposefully guides prospects to support Schreiner, and develops relationships to build lifelong friendships that encourage consistent giving & planned giving.
• In coordination with the Assistant Director of Alumni and the development officers, routinely analyze and qualify individual donors and prospects to develop strategies for gift growth and assess the potential for conversion to major gift prospects.
• Builds relationships with donors and potential donors through personal visits, community and university events, online meetings, phone calls, emails, or other strategies as appropriate.
• Develops and implements specific strategies to improve donor retention of first-time donors and donors who have given in consecutive years. This will require coordination with the development and advancement services teams and written documentation/analysis of efforts and results.
• Provides timely, internal written reports regarding the outcomes of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities, including maintaining records in the donor management system (Raiser’s Edge).
• Works to achieve and exceed annual gift income goals outlined in the development fundraising plan.
• Advises donors of giving benefits in a manner that builds interest and participation and offers ways for the donors to become personally involved with Schreiner University.
• Assists with the annual gift process for alumni including but not limited to phone-a-thon, direct mail, electronic and social media solicitation, and personal solicitation.
• Assists in coordinating and planning alumni events such as socials, receptions, banquets, RECALL, and other weekend campus visits to reach constituent groups.
• Makes contacts within and outside Schreiner University to obtain new alumni benefits and increase the value of the Schreiner Former Students Association.
• Collaborates with the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and assists in identifying and recruiting alumni for participation in programs, alumni boards, and alumni committees. Keeps abreast of and informs donors of Schreiner’s activities and programs designed to fulfill its mission by phone, visit, letter, or proposal; regularly offers donors the opportunity to participate with Schreiner University.
• Assists with delivering and following up on all university advancement events and performs other duties as assigned. These include activities such as the annual Hill Country College Fund, the Christmas Tea, Donor Recognition Banquet, Recall (Homecoming), Schreiner Alliance, cultivation events, and other activities as assigned and, when possible, support the activities of other campus groups: choir, athletics, student life, faculty lectures, etc.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Three years of experience in a related field, including professional fundraising, public relations, direct marketing, or sales with direct personal solicitation is required.
• Preference is to an alumnus or former student of Schreiner.
• Maintain a high degree of professionalism.
• Excellent verbal, written, and organizational skills, with keen attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple demands and projects simultaneously.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality standards of the department and University.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in working confidently with the public, as well as with a variety of administrative levels.
• Ability and willingness to travel alone overnight as often as seven nights per month and to work occasional weekends and evenings.
• Must be able to use Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Travel involving automobile. Must have a valid Texas Driver’s license, related insurance, and a good driving record.