Development Officer for the Sciences

Position Title: Development Officer for the Sciences

Job ID: 22271

Compensation: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Closing Date: Open until filled with review of applications to begin on May 3, 2021

Position Details:

The Graduate Center (GC) of the City University of New York (CUNY) is the focal point for advanced teaching and research in the nation's largest urban public university. With over 45 doctoral and master’s programs of the highest caliber, the GC fosters pioneering research and scholarship in the arts and sciences and prepares students for careers in universities and the private, nonprofit, and government sectors. Students in the Sciences train in 11 unique doctoral programs and 3 master’s programs in disciplines from biology through physics. They engage in cutting edge scholarship and in turn provide mentorship and instruction to undergraduates throughout the CUNY system. The GC Sciences graduate training programs provide avenues for students to explore their scientific passions in laboratories embedded within the CUNY system to become new leaders in their fields.

The GC’s commitment to innovative scientific research is exemplified by its science training programs and the Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC), a 200,000 square-foot, world-class facility in upper Manhattan designed to promote interdisciplinary research, workforce development, and innovation through its five focus areas: nanoscience, photonics, structural biology, neuroscience, and environmental sciences. The ASRC aspires to improve human, societal, and environmental well-being via excellence in collaborative scientific discovery and education, including public outreach. Integral to this vision, ASRC scientists and staff nurture a distinctive and inclusive academic research culture that is creative, collaborative, and convergent, with state-of-the-art facilities that welcomes scientists from all over CUNY, New York City and State, and the world to learn and contribute to its mission.

The GC seeks a development professional to join its Institutional Advancement team to attract funding for its scientific research and educational initiatives. The Development Officer for the Sciences will formulate and implement effective goals, strategies, and activities to secure major and principal gifts to support the GC Sciences graduate programs and interdisciplinary sciences at the ASRC. The Development Officer for the Sciences will build and manage an individual portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and will collaborate with the scientific leadership of the GC and ASRC to facilitate funding of collaborative opportunities and cultivate an environment that enhances communication and partnerships among senior administrative staff and faculty. The Development Officer for the Sciences will also assist the GC and ASRC leadership and faculty in targeting proposals to identify prospects, including individuals, corporations, and foundations. This position reports to the Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Communications.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Develops and implements a comprehensive fundraising program for the GC Sciences graduate programs and the ASRC, including major giving and corporate and foundation strategies, as well as other strategic areas as identified, in partnership with the Dean for the Sciences and the Associate Dean/Executive Director of the ASRC.
• Works closely with GC and ASRC leadership to establish fundraising priorities and tactics.
• Conducts prospect identification, qualification, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects following institutional clearances.
• Participates in one-on-one cultivation efforts as well as organizing and executing strategic cultivation events with appropriate scientific and leadership presence, including preparation of briefings and background materials for GC and ASRC leadership.
• Collaborates on writing letters of inquiry, gift agreements, progress reports, and other cultivation materials as needed; assists in writing proposals to individuals, corporations, and foundations, in partnership with faculty and leadership.
• Documents and reports on development activities and results to achieve specific and measurable goals for contacts, prospect phase management, proposals presented, and dollars raised.
• Builds and maintains effective working relationships at all organizational levels - colleagues, faculty, deans, and GC Foundation trustees with interests in the sciences - in close collaboration with the GC administrative staff, donors, and others.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree and six years' related experience required.

A preferred candidate should have:

• Exposure to a scientific discipline in a higher education institution.
• More than four years of relevant experience working with major gift donors in higher education, major research center, and or science-related not-for-profit organization.
• Two years front line fundraising experience.
• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to translate complex scientific research into language that the public will understand, and articulate the vision and strategy of the GC Sciences and the ASRC to provide a strong, effective case for private support of scientific research.
• Experience engaging with high-net-worth prospects and donors who are sophisticated, intellectually curious, and typically have a keen interest in science.
• A proven track record of success in the cultivation, stewardship, and closing of gifts from individual major donors at the five-figure level and above, or demonstrated transferable skills to succeed in closing major gifts.
• Working knowledge of moves management as a fundraising strategy; proficiency in Microsoft Word and Raiser’s Edge, or demonstrated capacity to learn new data management systems.
• Excellent ability to communicate effectively and meaningfully with individuals in diverse settings using a range of techniques, including face-to-face, telephone, email, video conferencing, and written correspondence.
• Experience cultivating and engaging with alumni donors.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Experience supporting and nurturing a culture of philanthropy.
• Ability to plan and prioritize work, using time and other resources effectively to maximize desired outcomes.
• Ability to take initiative.
• Strong attention to details.

CUNY Title Overview:

• Plans and manages College fundraising strategy and operations.
• Implements and monitors comprehensive resource development program; makes recommendations to improve department policies and procedures
• Fulfills specific goals and targets based on individual portfolio
• Assists Director with developing funding strategies and assessing outcomes
• Oversees annual and/or major gift activities to support strategic plan
• Maintains relationships with donors and sponsoring organizations to cultivate and maintain funding
• Prepares financial reports for management; may write grant proposals
• May manage professional and/or clerical staff
• Performs related duties as assigned.

How to Apply:

Go to http://cuny.jobs/ and search for Job ID 22271.

Click on "Apply Now" below which will bring you to the registration screen. If you are a new user, you must register to apply. If you already have a user ID, please use your existing ID to apply. Make sure to upload a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three (3) professional references (name, title, organization, phone number, and email). Please upload all documents in Word or PDF format.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply.  At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups.  Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.