Development Officer, Annual Giving, Alumni Engagement & Scholarships

Development Officer, Annual Giving, Alumni Engagement & Scholarships

Posted: November 6, 2025
Expires: January 5, 2026

Essential Functions:

Manages and evaluates a comprehensive annual giving campaign to increase the College’s donor base and financial support raised. Develops and solicits annual gifts through several appeals, including annual golf outing, events, days of giving, and special appeals targeting various donor groups, including alumni.

Develops, implements and manages engagement and fundraising initiatives for alumni, donors, and friends. Initiatives include regular communications, networking mixers, reunions, annual luncheons, award ceremonies, scholarship related events, and other activities.

Works with scholarship donors to amend and develop scholarship criteria that meets the goals of the donors and the needs of Owens' students.

Manages annual Owens employee campaign.

Actively cultivates a portfolio of alumni, donors and prospects. Makes personal solicitation visits/calls and establishes relationships to retain and grow donor base.

Researches, identifies and develops private grant support opportunities.

Manages and leads the strategy to develop and execute digital fundraising campaigns such as Days of Giving and social media/digital challenges.

Evaluates and analyzes data regarding alumni events, annual giving, and fundraising initiatives, including past giving trends, to provide program results and make recommendations for future strategies.

Assists team members to maintain accurate constituency records in Raiser’s Edge database with career, biographical, contact and other information.

Assists in managing donor recognition activities and events.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of alumni engagement and fund development strategies in a college or non-profit setting.

Knowledge of fundraising objectives and principles.

Knowledge of event budget planning & management.

Strong computer skills, including Raiser’s Edge/CRM software and Microsoft Office: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Effective written and oral communication skills with attention to accuracy.

Organizational and multitasking skills are required with the ability to prioritize and manage projects.

Demonstrated experience in cultivating, managing and training volunteers, alumni, and other stakeholders.

Demonstrated ability to build engagement and fundraising programs.

Ability to compose inspiring and effective communications that will successfully engage and solicit targeted audiences.

Ability to complete accurate work with special attention to detail.

Ability to manage multiple projects and events; ability to recognize strengths and weaknesses in volunteers; ability to work efficiently and manage resources.

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Ability to coordinate, develop and cultivate alumni, retirees, students, and volunteers.

Ability to effectively collaborate with internal and external constituencies is a must.

Bachelor's degree preferably in Business, Marketing, Communications, Sales, or a closely related field

Two to four years of experience in development or business event planning, with proven effectiveness

Preferred Qualifications:

Involvement in securing gifts for a not-for-profit, charitable organization, preferably in an institution of higher education

Two to five years of experience using Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge software or a comparable fundraising/CRM system.