General Summary
Paine College is a private institution steeped in the tenets of Methodism that provides a liberal arts education of the highest quality. The College emphasizes academic excellence, ethical and spiritual values, social responsibility, and personal development to prepare spiritually centered men and women for positions of leadership and service. Under the dynamic leadership of its newly appointment president, Dr. Lester A. McCorn, the College endeavors to build a technology savvy, data-driven friend-raising and fundraising arm of the general academic areas of the College.
Job Description
As a part of a successful fundraising team at Paine College, the Senior Advancement Officer will utilize exceptional relationship building skills, strong work ethic, a goals-oriented mentality, and be motivated to be an effective member of this mission driven organization. S/he will be responsible for portfolio of monthly, quarterly and annual impact reports. This position is responsible for project management; timeline and deadline management; writing, editing, proofreading, and design of content; survey and template layout. They will coordinate the outreach to recipients of endowed and current-use funds, with a portfolio primarily focused on faculty reporting and will gather letters, data, publications, content, and updates regarding their funded research or projects. Additionally, they will participate in donor engagement events and activities.
This position oversees the transfer of information related to our database, oversees updates on beneficiary records, and authorized changes to information about the funds. This position works closely with the Senior Advancement Officer for Major Gifts and Senior Advancement Officer for Annual Giving.
Reporting Relationship: The Senior Advancement Officer for Major Gifts reports directly to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Gift Records Management: Maintain donor records as gifts are received in preparation for gift processing, including adding new donor records, updating contact information, and processing life change events like marriages, births, and deaths. Maintain electronic and physical files of gift-related documents.
- Balance daily gift logs and prepare deposits and reports for Financial Management Services. Also, provide requested documentation for the annual financial audit.
- Maintain corporate matching gift records and records of employees who work for these companies. Verify that donor gifts are eligible for the corporate match. Complete the college’s verification of donation by online portal or via paper form.
- Referring to the Records Retention Schedule, maintain electronic and physical files of gift record documents.
- In coordination with others, prepare monthly pledge reminders and verify information against the pledge card on file. Prepare for mailing or other methods of distribution.
- Maintaining files of samples of events, mailings, and other solicitations.
- Additional support tasks related to gift records.
Gift Processing: Process credit card gift transactions; post gifts, pledges; process gift receipts and balance daily gift logs; proofread the gift acknowledgement letters prepared by another employee, and process non-cash letters.
- Process pledges, gifts, and pledge payments in CRM Advance from various sources, including but not limited to, gifts through the online giving tool, mail, phone, EFT/ACH, wire transfers, payroll deductions, estate gifts, and gifts delivered from other departments on campus.
- Process and track corporate matching gifts.
- Prepare donor pledge reminders and oversee mailing.
- Research gifts to determine correct donor or purpose, as needed.
- Process adjustments and refunds, as needed.
- Communicate with donors regarding their charitable giving questions and year-end gift summary inquiries.
- Communicate across departments regarding charitable donation questions and provide reports, as needed.
- Stay apprised of best practices and IRS rules related to charitable donations.
- Proofread charitable gift receipts and acknowledgement letters.
Minimum Education and Experience
The identified candidate must possess at a minimum:
- A Bachelor’s degree.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated experience interacting with a wide range of individuals and position levels.
- Demonstrated success in a metrics-driven environment.
- Experience in client-facing, client-services, or relationship management role.
- General accounting, clerical, research, and problem-solving skills.
- Understanding of Windows environment, directory structure and how to use email and web browser software.
- A minimum of one year of professional-level, direct solicitation/fundraising experience is required.
- Must be proficient using Microsoft Office software.
Preferred Experience, Skills, Training, and Education
- Master’s degree.
- Professional working proficiency in English and Spanish strongly preferred.
- 3 years of full-time professional experience working in a metrics-driven environment, relationship-based roles, or other related professions
- Two years of accounting experience required or bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field, preferred.
- Understanding of the culture and mechanics of higher education fundraising.
- Familiarity with fundraising industry best practices, CRM software like Blackbaud, Agilon ONE, ThankView, and LinkedIn.
- Demonstrated appetite for success and making a difference.
- Proven history of conducting successful annual, major, and planned gift solicitations.
- Demonstrated competence in delivering presentations to individuals or groups.
- Solid understanding of finances and budgets.
- Proven record of working with volunteers to coordinate and increase private support.
- Demonstrated success in overcoming barriers and problem solving.
- Exhibit emotional intelligence and a cognitive ability to manage complex situations and environments or other related critical thinking skills.
- Ability to plan, organize, implement, oversee, and coordinate multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
- Willing to approach roles and tasks with a commitment to the values of Paine College.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to the highest ethical standards.
- Ability to deal with stressful deadlines and keep a good sense of humor.
Submit the following material to apply for the position:
Submit a resumé/curriculum vitae and letter of interest that details the applicant’s expertise and outlines the applicant’s qualifications for the position; three letters of recommendation, and all unofficial transcripts from institutions of higher education attended by the applicant.
If hired, official transcripts must be submitted within one (1) month of hire.
Employment at Paine College is contingent upon satisfactory completion of background check. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
Note: If hired, the successful candidate will be asked to sign a Certification Statement indicating that they have read, understand, and will respect the Biblical Foundation Statement and the Christian Philosophy of Education Statement of Paine College. These statements may be found at here.
Paine College is an Affirmative Action, Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. .
