Advancement and Giving Specialist

Summary

Job Category:
Development and Alumni Relations
Job Title:
Advancement and Giving Specialist
Job Category Definition:
This specialty is a support unit working in institutional advancement to support Penn State’s goals and mission. The unit consists of various offices working synergistically in two major functional areas, the Office of University Development and the Penn State Alumni Association. In concert with the colleges, campuses, and other units of the University, the Division of Development and Alumni Relations has responsibility for advancing the University’s overall mission of teaching, research, and outreach to alumni, parents, friends, corporations and foundations. This is done by informing alumni and other constituents about Penn State and involving them in the life of the University through effective communications, quality programs and services. In doing so, we strive to gain their support and encourage them to join in shaping Penn State’s future through fundraising campaigns, enhancing honors education, enriching the student experience, fostering discovery and creativity, sustaining a tradition of quality, and building faculty strength and capacity. The division’s mandate is to generate among key constituencies the attitudinal, financial, and behavioral support needed to realize the University’s goals and objectives.
Job Title Definition:
The Advancement and Giving Specialist will strategically assist the Office of University Development and the Commonwealth Campus locations or unit in their efforts to encourage and increase participation and annual support of funds for The Pennsylvania State University. This position will also facilitate, manage and promote alumni relations and development programs to benefit the Campus or unit and its surrounding communities. This individual will establish, implement, and evaluate plans to solicit philanthropic support from alumni, friends, parents, local corporations and regional foundations, and others who may have the potential to make annual gifts. Duties are performed at various levels within the defined title.
Working Conditions:
Specific physical requirements and effort are outlined in Job Responsibilities Worksheet (list of essential job duties and responsibilities specific to a particular job at the unit level) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Other Requirements:
 

Levels

Level 1  

There is currently no Level 1.

Level 2 

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
DVAR0902 H Exempt

Level 2 positions typically demonstrate intermediate knowledge of the concepts, practices and procedures of a particular field of specialization; perform intermediate tasks in defined skill areas/applications by continuously building on current job knowledge; maintain effective relationships with peers, vendors, and others in a diverse environment; support team decisions and follow through with team responsibilities; interpret information, ideas and instructions and communicate clearly and accurately both verbally and in writing including materials intended for distribution; determine causes of unusual occurrences and apply standard principles and practices to determine and implement solutions; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; typically work under general supervision, while performing assignments that are varied and that may be somewhat difficult in character, but usually involve limited responsibility.

Typical Education & Experience

1+ years related experience

Bachelor's Degree or higher
Typical Work Duties
  • Develop fundraising plans and objectives for individual gift solicitations; supervise fundraising activities, processes and systems
  • Manage acknowledgment systems, cultivate benefactors
  • Conduct monthly personal calls on assigned donors and deliver solicitation proposals; travel to visit donors as assigned
  • Assist and/or advise University Development staff and others in the process of identification and solicitation of prospects
  • Analyze the effectiveness of programs and recommend improvements or new creative strategies
  • Work with committees and boards to plan and implement development activities
  • Assist in development and production of communication tools, proposals and reports; provide support with scheduling and general correspondence
  • Serve as liaison on behalf of the College annual fund; prepare regular progress reports
  • Collate and interpret available research data pertinent to the development of relationships with potential donors
  • Match University strengths with prospective donors
  • Build and maintain relationships with volunteers, donors, committees, alumni, and boards.
  • Partner with campus or unit representatives to provide award and recognition events, alumni reunions, and advisory board meetings.
  • Support the planning of reunion and other events to further advance the philanthropic mission of the campus or unit.
  • Develop and conduct selected fundraising activities, including direct mail, telemarketing, e-communications, and event planning as assigned.

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 3 

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
DVAR0903 I Exempt

Level 3 positions typically demonstrate proficient and comprehensive knowledge of defined skill areas/applications to integrate fundamental elements from other specialties into work assignments; apply knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field of specialization to complete difficult assignments; promote a culture that is conducive to effective relationships among diverse team members; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; may lead a project team involved in completion of difficult assignments, requiring proficient knowledge of field of specialization; interpret and communicate information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in writing including materials intended for distribution; incorporate new facts and ideas into group processes and apply creative thinking to develop new solutions; typically work with minimal supervision on difficult assignments, conferring with manager on unusual matters.

Typical Education & Experience

3+ years related experience

Bachelor's Degree or higher
Typical Work Duties
  • Develop and execute plans for evaluation, cultivation and solicitation of a portfolio of prospects for annual gifts. Travel to visit donors.
  • Assess, cultivate, solicit, and steward a small portfolio of higher gifts prospects.
  • Promote a broad understanding of the philanthropic priorities of the university to academic leadership, volunteers, alumni, and employees.
  • Manage and prepare proposal, solicitation, and cultivation materials. Collate and interpret available data research to develop relationships with potential donors.
  • Build and maintain relationships with volunteers, donors, committees, alumni, and boards.
  • Organize, manage, and plan reunion and other events to further advance the philanthropic mission of the campus or unit.
  • Partner with campus or unit representatives to provide award and recognition events, alumni reunions, and advisory board meetings.
  • Manage and conduct selected fundraising activities, including direct mail, telemarketing, e-communications, personal solicitations, and event planning as assigned.
  • May assume duties of office operations and supervise staff, if necessary.

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 4 

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
DVAR0904 K Exempt

Level 4 positions typically demonstrate advanced knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field of specialization and complete complex assignments; integrate complex elements from other specialties into work assignments; demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusionary practices which support diversity throughout the University; establish a shared vision and take responsibility for the achievement of team goals, and provide direction for appropriate implementation of plans; present ideas, concepts and instructions in a clear manner, and use persuasion and negotiation to build consensus and cooperation; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; develop new techniques, concepts, theories, programs or solutions and apply them to complex strategic operating issues; typically work independently on complex work assignments, review progress and evaluate results and update management as appropriate; may direct and delegate work to lower-level staff.

Typical Education & Experience

4+ years related experience

Bachelor's Degree or higher
Typical Work Duties
  • Develop and execute plans for evaluation, cultivation and solicitation of a portfolio of prospects for annual gifts. Travel to visit donors.
  • Manage, assess, cultivate, solicit, and steward a small portfolio of higher gifts prospects.
  • Direct and promote a comprehensive understanding of the philanthropic priorities of the university to academic leadership, volunteers, alumni, and employees.
  • Manage and prepare proposal, solicitation, and cultivation materials. Collate and interpret available data research to develop relationships with potential donors.
  • Evaluate results, manage budgets and may oversee staff activities.
  • May provide direction to lower level annual giving team.
  • Interact regularly with high-level university staff and administration.
  • Manage, build and maintain relationships with volunteers, donors, committees, alumni, and boards.
  • Negotiate and manage contracts with vendors.
  • Organize, manage, and plan reunion and other events to further advance the philanthropic mission of the campus or unit.
  • Manage and conduct selected fundraising activities, including direct mail, telemarketing, e-communications, personal solicitations, and event planning as assigned.
  • May assume duties of office operations and supervise staff, if necessary.

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 5 

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
DVAR0905 L Exempt

Level 5 positions typically extend mastery of job knowledge to the principles, theories and practices of related specialties; expand knowledge of best practices and incorporate into all work assignments and procedures; evaluate and enhance current practices and efforts to ensure optimal support of diversity; oversee leadership of teams and projects that involve extensive cooperation and coordination between multiple departments across the University or with external customers; prepare written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on highly complex issues and deliver to a broad variety of audiences; identify and implement innovative solutions to important, highly complex strategic and/or operational issues which may involve unusual circumstances and incomplete or conflicting data; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; work independently on highly complex or strategic assignments; may direct and supervise lower-level staff.

Typical Education & Experience

5+ years related experience

Bachelor's Degree or higher
Typical Work Duties
  • Direct, lead and manage all aspects of giving and advancement programs at the Commonwealth Campus locations.
  • Manage and promote alumni relations and development programs to benefit the campus and community.
  • Develop and execute plans for evaluation, cultivation and solicitation of a portfolio of prospects for annual gifts. Travel to visit donors
  • Manage, assess, cultivate, solicit, and steward a small portfolio of higher complex gifts prospects.
  • Establish and steward relationships of advancement and giving with high-level university staff and administrators.
  • Establish and evaluate plans to solicit philanthropic support from alumni, friends, parents, local corporations, and regional foundations.
  • Manage all strategic advancement initiatives in coordinator with the chancellor. Manage and promote events to enhance the philanthropic culture for the campus and university.
  • Evaluate results, budgets and staff activities.
  • Build and maintain relationships with volunteers, donors, committees, and boards.
  • Lead various meetings and professional activities.
  • Manage the efforts of other staff ensuring all initiatives and expectations are carried out and goals are met.
  • Hire, mentor, and evaluate staff.
  • Manage the campus Board of Advisors.

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.