Development Officer, Academic Divisions & Regions

Job Summary

The purpose of Advancement and Alumni Relations (AAR) is to foster a thriving and engaged community of support for Caltech. By connecting the people who share and support Caltech’s mission and values, we will ensure the Institute receives the necessary resources to achieve Caltech’s aspirations and sustain its excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship in perpetuity.   AAR team members embrace and uphold the values of diversity, integrity, respect, focus, and pride.

Reporting to the Director of Development for Academic Divisions and Regions, the Development Officer at Caltech is responsible for effectively representing the California Institute of Technology in key regions and in academic divisions to secure individual contributions of approximately $100K and above.  Working closely with a dynamic AAR team, the Development Officer is expected to expand the donor base, create effective engagement pipelines for new and existing major gift donors, and develop a greater Caltech presence. Additionally, the Development Officer will be responsible to raise money for assigned Division-based or Institute fundraising priorities.  This work will require the Development Office to closely coordinate with other members of the ADR team.

We seek individuals having a deep interest in science, who are highly self-motivated, forward-thinking, committed to teamwork as well as individual achievement. The Development Officer will develop and maintain a portfolio of major donor prospects, and will carry out strategic cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of these donors in conjunction with faculty and senior development leadership.

Job Duties

• Develop regional and academic expertise and coordinate strategy across AAR to meet short-term and long-term fundraising goals, specifically manage close relationships with major donors and major gift prospects for solicitations ranging from approximately $100K and above.
• Familiarize and develop an understanding of key campus programs and priorities in order to match donor's interest to campus needs.
• Coordinate with development colleagues and faculty leaders as appropriate to create effective regional and campus engagement opportunities to deepen donor's relationship with Caltech.
• Move prospects through the donor continuum by executing quality driven, strategic visits to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward donors to successfully close gifts (expected to achieve performance measures consistent with annual work plan review.)
• With members of the AAR staff, assist in the coordination of special events including donor recognition and cultivation events in identification of potential guests, pre- and post-event donor cultivation and solicitation.
• Utilize and update the donor database by recording activities and contacts with individuals on an ongoing basis. Provide written materials, including prospect briefings, donor acknowledgements, and proposals as needed.
• Develop and direct appropriate cultivation strategies including volunteer opportunities, campus visits or cultivation events/programs.
• Assist with long-range planning for the department.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• 4-6 years of fundraising experience.
• Demonstrated experience raising major gifts, working with blended and sophisticated giving vehicles.
• Ability to communicate effectively with top-level donors and senior Caltech administrators.
• Solid relationship-building skills with desire and ability to cultivate and solicit donors in face-to-face meetings.
• Ability to prioritize work, manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Demonstrated problem-solving, organizational and analytical skills, with solid attention to detail.
• Valid driver's license for travel, local and national.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office software, including Excel, PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with internet to research comparisons for programs and projects related to science and technology to enhance donor proposals.
• Self-starter with ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Professionalism, maturity, and an ability to work with confidential information.
• Ability to travel as needed, approximately 30-40% of the time.
• Demonstrate the ability to practice and adhere to organizational values.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education.
• Familiarity with Advance or similar fund-raising databases.
• Agility in adapting to change in a fast-paced working environment.