Job Summary

As a part of the University of Utah, the University Advancement division is deeply committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).  We embrace this commitment to grow and maintain a diverse, safe, and inclusive workplace culture for all employees in University Advancement.  With an increasingly diverse population of alumni and donors, we recognize that nationally the most successful advancement offices employ individuals who can connect with these diverse communities and understand approaches that mirror a broad perspective of cultures, values, and experiences.  The long-term strength and viability of the University of Utah stem from the ongoing EDI practices, and we work intentionally to ensure these efforts are reflected in all aspects of our fundraising and advancement work.  We highly encourage applications from historically underrepresented minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons who have served in the military, and others who would bring additional dimensions of education and experience to our team.

As part of this effort the university’s central Annual Giving team, within Alumni Relations Office under the University Advancement division, is expanding to meet the growing needs of the university and individual colleges and units. Reporting to the Director of Annual Giving, the Leadership Annual Giving Officer (LAG Officer) position will be an integral member of the Annual Giving team. Annual Giving dual reports and works directly with the Alumni Relations and central University Advancement team to serve and collaborate with the various university partners and stakeholders. 

The LAG Officer will help increase the number of donors and philanthropic dollars raised through qualification and solicitation efforts. This position will be charged with qualifying, disqualifying, renewing, retaining, upgrading, and passing along donors to campus partners.  

Responsibilities

• Responsible for a large portfolio up to 750 alumni and parent constituents.

• Working with portfolio daily to move constituents through qualifying and renewal cycles.

• Actively use phone (average of 8 – 10 calls a day) and written/video communication (average of 25 communication pieces such as letters and videos per week) to continually qualify new donors and cultivate/solicit/steward existing donors.

• Communicating with constituents through phone, email, local in-person, LinkedIn, mail, Zoom, ThankView, and other industry communication tactics.

• Collaborate with campus partners to provide donors the best experience and execute a One U strategy. Specifically work closely with the Senior Advancement Director of Student Initiatives, Student Initiatives giving team, the parent giving team, and the Director of Annual Giving.

• Set and hit metrics for dollar and donor goals tied to several areas including but not limited to general scholarships, alumni giving, and parent/family giving.

• Solicit and close gifts from the $1,000 to $5,000 range, with most of the focus on the $1,000 - $2,500 dollar level.

• Steward your donors and work with campus partners to share updates and information.

• Work with prospect research and management teams to update, adjust, and maintain your portfolio. Keep up to date contact reports and records of donor interaction for the university community.

• Stay up to date on annual giving and leadership/major gift trends through professional development and peer networking.

• Work with and collaborate with U Alumni and other campus partners to attend events and invite donors to events virtually and in-person.

• Be a team player, come to the Annual and Parent Giving team energized and excited to share ideas. Provide feedback for all-hands on events such as U Giving Day, faculty/staff giving programs, Giving Tuesday, One U Campaigns, etc..

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, related field, or equivalency; three years of fund-raising experience which includes direct solicitation of contributions, volunteer leadership support, written and verbal presentations, and strategy and market development are required. Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills required.

Demonstrated negotiating skills are also preferred.

This position has no responsibility of providing care to patients.