Employment / Advancement Officer
SUMMARY
Are you a go-getter looking to use your God-given talents and abilities to make a positive impact? Are you looking for a successful and rewarding career as a fundraising professional? Would you like to combine working from home with 50% business travel in a multi-state territory?
As a Shepherds College Advancement Officer, your primary responsibilities will include: (1) Initiating and cultivating meaningful relationships with potential major donors (individuals, businesses, and foundations) who have the capability of making significant financial contributions to the College; (2) creating opportunities for current and prospective donors to provide financial support to the College through the development and management of a donor portfolio within a specified geographic territory; and (3) crafting and presenting verbal and written proposals to current and prospective donors. You will set and achieve specific performance goals and track key performance activities. You will be provided with all the tools, training, and resources needed to flourish as a fund development professional.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serve as a conduit of Christ’s love for others in an effort to point others to Jesus through our actions and words.
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Build relationships and secure major gift support for Shepherds College through personal visits and meaningful contacts with donors and prospective donors, including individuals, corporations, and foundations.
- Develop and manage a donor portfolio within an assigned multi-state territory through the implementation of strategies for donor acquisition, stewardship, acknowledgment, and retention (approximately 50% overnight travel required).
- Draft and present written and verbal proposals, presentations, and other communications to effectively align donors’ passions and interests with the programs and operations of the College.
- Articulate the mission, vision, ministry, needs, and accomplishments of the College through effective verbal and written communications.
- Track communications and interactions with major gift donors and prospects through the College’s donor management system, Raiser’s Edge-NXT.
- Work with College staff in creating and promoting special events, focusing on the cultivation of individual and corporate participation, support, and sponsorship.
- Develop and leverage referral networks for new major donor acquisitions.
- Devise and implement a multi-faceted business plan for fund development within an established budget.
- Collaborate with the Advancement Team and other College staff in regular conference calls, meetings, training sessions, and campus events.
- Keep abreast of the ministry, programs, and financial needs of Shepherds College by interfacing with staff, students, and volunteers.
- Articulate a personal walk with Jesus Christ and relate it to the ministry of Shepherds College.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED
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Full alignment with the Shepherds College Mission Statement and Statement of Faith.
- Bachelor’s degree with strong interest and acumen in donor development, Christian ministry ambassadorship, and/or outside business sales.
- Flexibility to work from home while also engaging in 50% overnight travel.
- Strong organizational, social, and people skills, including rapport-building, strategic planning, listening, prospecting, networking, and persuasion.
- Ability and passion for creating opportunities for people to advance God’s Kingdom through financial stewardship and generosity.
- Ability to complete detailed proposals, contact records, reports, and correspondence.
- Willingness to learn and apply new techniques, processes, and strategies.
- History of successfully working independently.
- High moral integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Proficiency in standard office software tools and applications.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Employee must complete a TB skin test and a physical exam which certifies freedom from communicable disease within 90 days prior to beginning employment. Medical documentation of TB skin test results and physical exam must be submitted to the Human Resources Department prior to beginning employment.
ALIGNMENT WITH OUR MISSION
Employee shall commit to the mission of Shepherds College, which is to educate and train students with intellectual and developmental disabilities by equipping them to reach Appropriate IndependenceTM (Ai) through the development of vocational, social, and life skills while inspiring a lasting awareness of God’s plan for their lives. Employee shall have a deep understanding of Ai and its guiding principles, as Ai is the foundation of our education and training programs here at Shepherds College.
ALIGNMENT WITH OUR CULTURE
Employee must be in alignment and in agreement with the eight key behaviors that shape our culture here at Shepherds College: 1) Model Christ-likeness - Point others to Jesus through our actions and words; 2) Be Creative - Practice strategic innovation; 3) Pursue Excellence – Whatever it is, make it better; 4) Maximize Strengths - Cultivate the value and potential of every individual; 5) Promote Professionalism – Present the best you, always; 6) Work Together – Collaborate to fulfill our mission; 7) Embrace Accountability – Own the process and the outcome; 8) Experience Gratitude – Recognize and affirm the good.
ALIGNMENT WITH OUR FAITH
Employee must be in full alignment and agreement with the Shepherds College Statement of Faith, Biblical Responsibilities of Shepherds Staff, and the Shepherds College Community Covenant. Employee must be part of a faith community that is aligned with traditional protestant Christian faith.
REASONING ABILITY
Must have the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Must be able to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and sit. The employee is occasionally required to walk, and reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
LOCATION
This is a remote, work-from-home opportunity with 50% multistate travel. The candidate should be located in Michigan, Ohio, or Indiana.
Become a vital part of the Shepherds College mission!