Development Officer III - Swaner EcoCenter

Utah State University•Park City, UT

About The Position

The Director of Development (Development Officer III) for Utah State University Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter is responsible for advancing the university's mission through the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gifts ($25,000 and above). This position will work both independently and in collaboration with Swaner staff and across USU colleges, departments and programs to help achieve specific fundraising goals. The Director of Development for the USU Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter enhances fundraising, donor relations, strategic partnerships, and revenue-generation initiatives in support of the Center’s mission to preserve the land and the human connection to the natural landscape, educate the local and broader communities about the value of nature, and nurture both the ecosystem and the people connected with it. This position is responsible for cultivating major donors, securing philanthropic support, and partnering across the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter and USU to achieve ambitious funding goals. This position may require travel, including overnight trips. This position also requires event attendance that may occur during nights and weekends. The Director of Development will report to the Executive Director of Statewide & Extension Development. Statewide & Extension Development is part of the USU Advancement Central Development unit.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus three years of experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to have complex gift conversations and a track record of closing gifts or negotiating contracts.
Demonstrated experience building successful, productive, and collaborative relationships with top university administrators, deans, and/or board members.
Demonstrated experience staffing dean’s councils, advisory boards, and/or committees.
Supervisory and coaching experience of professional staff.
Willingness and ability to travel; evening and weekend work is required.
Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, as well as analytical, research and management skills.
Knowledge of and commitment to the use of information technology to support advancement programs.
Strong interpersonal skills, particularly with donors, volunteers, and staff members from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to position the Vice President for Advancement, the Executive Director of Extension & Statewide Enterprise, and the Executive Director of the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter to maximize their potential as fundraisers for the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter.
Ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders (partners, program participants, visitors, students, alumni, faculty, staff) from diverse backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

An advanced academic degree.
Successful major gift fundraising experience.
Knowledge & experience with the fundraising landscape in Park City & Summit County, Utah.
Experience working in higher education.
Familiarity and literacy with regard to nature centers or other organizations focused on conservation, environmental education, and the relationship between humans and nature.
Knowledge and experience in using fundraising software and CRM systems.
Experience designing and executing comprehensive fundraising campaigns.
Record of success in establishing positive relationships with donors, alumni, students, faculty and staff.

Responsibilities

Major Gift Solicitation Successfully solicit major gifts ($25,000 and above) from Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter members and supporters, and university alumni and friends. Strategically manage solicitation timing, amount and purpose. Develop a multi-year pipeline of support. Draft fundraising proposals that align with donors’ philanthropic interests.
Donor Engagement and Prospect Management Build relationships and engage with constituents through individual outreach and communication efforts. Utilize university events to connect with Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter members and supporters, and alumni and friends of the university. Cultivate and steward donors while expressing appreciation and communicating impact. Manage prospects and donors through deliberate actions to enhance their engagement with USU and strengthen their desire to support the mission and vision of the university and its programs, and in particular the mission and vision of USU’s Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter and its programs.
Philanthropic Strategies A strong understanding of philanthropic giving methods and strategies is required to have meaningful gift conversations with constituents. Ability to work within and communicate the philanthropic gift framework established by USU Advancement. Knowledge of USU philanthropic impact areas, funds, programs and campaigns to best connect donors with causes that are meaningful to them.
Communication and Collaboration Communicate effectively and collaborate with university advancement staff, Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter staff, collegiate development officers, program and department heads and university administration. Effectively communicate fundraising initiatives, opportunities and strategies with university supporters.
Strategic Planning Work closely with the Executive Director of Extension and Statewide Enterprise, the Executive Director of the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter, and university program leaders to establish strategic fundraising initiatives and goals. Collaborate with Executive Director of Extension and Statewide Enterprise, Development Officer Analysts, and the Executive Director of the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter to determine strategic outreach and donor development actions. Seek out and fulfill opportunities to meet with and participate on volunteer boards, committees and councils made up of university and community stakeholders and USU administration.
University Representation Must represent the university, and in particular the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter, during meetings, donor visits and events while communicating the university’s and Swaner’s mission, vision and impact. While in a working capacity, it is vital to always represent the university in a first-class manner and avoid engaging in any actions that could reflect negatively on the university.
Goal Achievement Meet and exceed annual metrics including, but not limited to, number of visits, solicitations, gifts received and gift amount totals.