Discovery Officer - Division of Development and Alumni Engagement

Reporting to the Associate Director of Impact Giving, the Discovery Officer is critical to growing the number of qualified prospects who can support Stevens Institute of Technology (SIT) at the major gifts level. This candidate will focus on identifying and qualifying alumni, parents, and friends who have the potential to make high-level leadership gifts, multi-year leadership commitments, and major gifts of $100,000 and above. This individual will solicit major, planned, and leadership annual gifts. Primary performance goals include the number of discovery meetings, prospect qualifications, and new gifts and commitments. This candidate must be technologically savvy and understand how to leverage their resources to reach all donors and engage the community in Stevens' development efforts.

This position will be based in Hoboken, New Jersey, at the main campus of Stevens Institute of Technology, with a flexible work arrangement as set by the Division of Development and Alumni Engagement (DAE).

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in all aspects of the gift cycle: (1) identify, initiate contacts with, and qualify potential major donors; (2) develop appropriate cultivation strategies for them, including working with volunteers; (3) make solicitations when appropriate; (4) maintain stewardship contacts with donors.
• With the goal to build a major gift portfolio, undertake efforts to systematically identify and qualify new prospects capable of making high-end leadership annual and major gift contributions in support of Stevens; develop strong working relationships with undergraduate alumni, graduate alumni, parents, and friends to identify prospects who have the capacity, potential, and inclination to support Stevens.
• Secure commitments of support from prospects either through direct solicitations or by partnering with members of the Impact Giving team.
• Regularly prospect for new discovery visits, relying on various strategies to uncover previously unengaged donors. Conduct a high level of outreach on an ongoing basis to these prospects to secure digital, phone, and in-person meetings.
• Develop and manage a personal portfolio of donors and prospects with a focus on building the link between annual and impact giving programs.
• Maintain consistent and appropriate contact with prospects and travel to meet with them, either alone or with SIT representatives.
• Strive to exceed mutually agreed-upon personal metrics and goals and contribute substantively to division-wide objectives.
• With guidance from the associate director, work across DAE, academic, and administrative departments to understand priorities and engage them as needed to build strong donor relationships.
• Strengthen prospects' interest in Stevens through substantive campus visits and engagement opportunities, such as alumni events, volunteer opportunities, exposure to academic and research initiatives, and meetings with faculty, students, and campus partners.
• Ensure that stewardship of donors makes supporting SIT a personally fulfilling experience; convey to donors that Stevens and its leaders care deeply about its supporters and appreciate what they have done for SIT; and demonstrate the impact their contributions have on the institution.
• Diligently track prospect and donor contact, status, and next steps in a donor relationship management database.
• Maintain professionalism in all departmental activities and outreach while promoting confidentiality of privileged information.

Qualifications And Experience

• A minimum of two years of experience in development or sales experience
• A highly motivated, goal-oriented, self-starter who uses an innovative approach to engage prospects and reach out to a broader community to promote the mission of an institution
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to engage comfortably and effectively with faculty, leadership, professional and administrative staff, donors, alumni, and board members; comfort working with science, technology, and engineering professionals
• Ability to work in a system that emphasizes measurable objectives, including mutually agreed-upon targets for activity and fundraising goals
• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office and knowledge of relational database management systems and ability to work with complex data for analysis
• Strong presentation skills, along with the ability to share a passion for the mission of Stevens
• Ability to communicate confidently and effectively with coworkers, program leaders, donors, prospects, and high-net-worth individuals
• Good judgment and sense of humor
• The ability to analyze information and think strategically, critically, and creatively
• Ability to work in a system that emphasizes measurable objectives, including mutually agreed-upon targets for leadership annual and major gifts; the flexibility to work in an ever-changing environment
• Ability to plan effectively and manage multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining disciplined adherence to annual and long-term goals
• A desire to be part of a collaborative team committed to advancing an institutional mission and a strategic plan

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree is required. An advanced degree preferred
• Willingness to travel, up to 25% of staff time, and to work nights and weekends as needed. A valid driver's license is required.

Department

Major Gifts

General Submission Guidelines

Please submit an online application to be considered a candidate for any job at Stevens. Please attach a cover letter and resume with each application. Other requirements for consideration may depend on the job.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact Jobs@Stevens.edu.

EEO Statement

Stevens Institute of Technology is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Accordingly, Stevens adheres to an employment policy that prohibits discriminatory practices or harassment against candidates or employees based on legally impermissible factor(s) including, but not necessarily limited to, race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, nationality, citizenship status, age, ancestry, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy-related medical conditions, disability, or any protected military or veteran status.

Stevens is building a diverse faculty, staff, and student body and strongly encourages applications from people of all backgrounds. Stevens is a federal contractor under the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as well as other federal statutes.

NSF ADVANCE Institution Stevens values diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a welcoming and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds. We are an NSF ADVANCE institution committed to equitable practices and policies and strongly encourage applications from women, racial and ethnic minority candidates, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

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