Staff Careers

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is seeking a Development Officer to translate work in the ODEI into successful appeals that advance the University’s strategic diversity goals and aspirations. Under the direction of the VP for ODEI and the VP for Advancement, the Development Officer for DEI implements strategies for identifying, cultivating, stewarding, and successfully soliciting individuals, corporations, and foundations for major and planned gifts of $25,000 and greater to support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) initiatives at The University of Alabama in Huntsville. In this role, the Development Officer for ODEI will work with ODEI and Advancement staff, as well as internal and external stakeholders (university administrators, donors, alumni, etc.) to create and implement fundraising strategies for ODEI including annual giving, major gifts fundraising (gifts of $25,000 ), grant writing, planned giving strategy, event management, and sponsorships with an emphasis and focus on furthering the development of major and planned gift donors to the University to support work in each area of our Inclusive Excellence framework. This position requires sensitive interaction with a variety of internal and external constituencies. The scope of the job requires travel as well as attendance at evening and/or weekend activities, events, meetings, and visits to prospects/donors in their homes and offices throughout the Huntsville community and occasionally beyond.

Key Responsibilities:

Major Gifts Planning & Donor Relations
• Serve as the ODEI’s Development contact for potential gifts and pledges of $25K and above
and/or as otherwise needed and assigned.
• Collaborate with the VP for Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the VP for University Advancement in Development matters.
• Collaborate with VP for ODEI to determine and understand top fund-raising priorities.
• Collaborate with University Advancement to determine top prospective donors and potential gift interests.
• Work in partnership with VP for ODEI to identify, cultivate and engage new donors for ODEI initiatives.
• Manage and expand a portfolio of donors and prospective donors including individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Develop and implement strategies for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting individuals,
corporations, and foundations for gifts of $25K and greater.
• Secure gifts of $25K or greater by successfully moving through the donor gift cycle with proven
relationship management and moves management strategies.
• Track prospective donors and donors through the stages of identification, qualification,
cultivation, intent to solicit, solicit, and stewardship.
• Maintain a record of the process in appropriate database/platforms.
• Personally conduct one-on-one visits with prospects and donors to secure gifts that are
transformational for and meet DEI priorities.
• Represent DEI and the University at fundraising and donor cultivation events.
• Travel, as necessary, to cultivate donor relations and donor prospects through out-of-town
appointments, meetings, and conferences; work nights and weekends, as required; and manage
personal travel arrangements and calendar.
Management and Coordination of Gifts
• Develop creative and innovative giving initiatives collaboratively with the VP for ODEI
and VP for University Advancement to generate excitement among alumni to increase
alumni giving, participation rates using best practices and initiatives that have been successful at peer and aspirant institutions.
• Coordinate all aspects of donor check presentations with the Office of Alumni Relations/Special
Events, submit photography and donor story requests to the Office of Marketing and
Communications, and handle all other assigned stewardship tasks for all appropriate gifts for ODEI, including all gifts secured by the Vice President for ODEI or the Vice President for University Advancement.
• Work in collaboration with the VPUA, and the VPODEI to ensure the success of the University’s planned giving program.
• Work collaboratively with and in support of other DEI/development/advancement staff, UAH Foundation representatives, volunteers, and other University representatives.
• Work collaboratively on written development materials, including solicitations, proposals, gift agreements, and collateral.
• Coordinate documentation for all in-kind gifts to the University for ODEI.
Support of Annual Giving.
• Provide support to Annual Giving Officer by coordinating solicitation plans, providing insight on donor intel, sharing best practices, helping with mailings, and providing support as needed.
• Assist in the direction and development of annual giving days, crowd-funding campaigns, senior gift campaigns, and the like.
• Co-supervise the development of written materials, including draft language for website
updates, brochures, giving proposals, and other marketing and collateral materials for ODEI
funding programming needs.
Data Management and Administrative
• Gather and manage data, ensure appropriate documentation, prepare various reports, perform
metrics tracking, and prepare regular progress reporting on fundraising targets through
standardized reporting tools as assigned.
• Utilize database and spreadsheets to record activities and outcomes.
• Meet performance metrics as established in collaboration with the VP for ODEI
and VP for University Advancement.
• Perform Development-related administrative tasks including but not limited to taking and
disseminating detailed minutes/notes from internal and assigned Development meetings;
scheduling meetings with VP for ODEI and DEI colleagues on development strategies;
coordinating visits with prospects and donors; and serving as point person for
ODEI Development events.

• Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent combination of education and years of experience.
• Three (3) years of frontline fundraising, marketing, sales, and/or public relations experience.
• Experience in fundraising with a demonstrated record of success in soliciting and securing
philanthropic gifts.
• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills and a demonstrated commitment to
responsiveness and professionalism.
• Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office software with the ability to manipulate and manage large data sets.
• Proven strong organizational, project management, and analytical skills.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Occasional travel, evening and weekend work is a requirement of this position.
• Must have a valid driver's license
• Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter and one writing sample in order to be considered for this position.

• Master’s degree is preferred.
• Four (4) or more years of frontline fundraising, marketing, sales, and/or public relations
experience.
• Experience with higher education fundraising.
• Demonstrated interest/knowledge and understanding of DEI matters, trends and challenges
• Demonstrated record of success in major gift fundraising in a public university setting.
• Experience using complex databases (e.g., CRM Advance, Raiser’s Edge, Millennium) and
research tools (e.g., ResearchPoint, AlumniFinder, FoundationSearch).
• Strong presentation skills, self-confidence and motivation, with sensitivity to the needs and interests of diverse constituencies.
• Strong, goal-oriented work ethic.
• Professional certification.

$70,000 - $72,000