Suffolk University is one of the area’s leading universities and the only one situated in the center of Boston. Founded in 1906, the University is comprised of three esteemed schools—the College of Arts & Sciences, Suffolk University Law School, and the Sawyer Business School. Suffolk’s 90,000+ alumni are professionally successful and civically engaged, and they reside in Massachusetts, across the United States, and in over 150 countries. Suffolk is building a comprehensive Advancement program to support the University and its plans for the future under the direction of the Vice President of Advancement.

The Division of Advancement has achieved significant fundraising success in the past five years and has surpassed several fundraising records and alumni engagement goals. The Suffolk University Summa Society is Suffolk’s leadership giving society honoring those donors who step forward as philanthropic leaders and play a vital role in supporting the University’s important educational mission for this and future generations of students. Members set an example of generosity for others to follow and understand that an annual investment in Suffolk University is an investment in transforming students’ lives. Summa level gifts serve as a vital source of revenue and as an incubator for major donor prospects who will move through the pipeline and later make major gifts. Support of Suffolk at the Summa level from alumni, parents and others is crucial to increasing the pool of unrestricted dollars available to the University.

The successful candidate will continue to grow the Summa Society program by securing annual gifts ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 through the development of a comprehensive fundraising strategy. The gift officer will focus on the engagement, acquisition, stewardship, retention and upgrading of donations from individuals.

Reporting to the Director of the Summa Leadership Giving program, the Summa Gift Officer will work in concert with Advancement colleagues to build a program that creates an identity and commitment to Summa leadership gifts to Suffolk University. The Gift Officer will engage new and existing leadership donors who have the capacity and inclination to give. This position will identify and secure philanthropic support for the University ($1,000 to $25,000) and steward donor loyalty societies.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Cultivate and solicit philanthropic annual gifts of $1,000 to $25,000 to fund the short- and long-term goals established in the Strategic Plan of the University.

• Achieve clearly defined revenue goals by cultivating relationships with leadership donors and prospects ($1,000+) and effectively manage a portfolio of 200-250 donors.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward current and potential Summa donors through strategic engagement, virtual visits, personal phone calls, emails and handwritten notes to achieve increased giving.
• Engage prospects and donors to support Suffolk and cultivate long-term philanthropic partnerships with them and the University, working closely with volunteers, the faculty, deans, and the administration.
• Collaborate with the Frontline Team (Gift Officers) to manage solicitation mailings for Summa Society level gifts, including quarterly Anniversary Renewal Letter mailings.
• Leverage Raiser’s Edge NXT and Microsoft Excel to track donor retention and growth of the Summa Society and progress to Fiscal Year goals.
• Assist in the planning and implementation of Summa level cultivation and stewardship events which may include evenings or weekends.
• Maintain a high level of attention to detail as it relates to managing solicitation reports shared with volunteers, the creation of written solicitation strategies with volunteers, accomplishing projects and tasks in the prescribed timeframe, and keeping colleagues engaged and informed as needed concerning program strategies.
• Participate as an active member of the University community by attending regular campus meetings and events.
• Participate in professional development opportunities to stay current with trends in the field.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualification Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum 3-5 years of fundraising or transferable experience in either the private or non-profit sector.
• Proven experience and ability to build relationships with donors resulting in gifts.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; the ability to inform, inspire and connect prospects and donors to Suffolk University’s mission and student community.
• Strong customer service skills and commitment to donor confidentiality.
• Strong presentation, persuasive writing and analytical skills to communicate complex issues in ways that are compelling and engaging to donors.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate as part of a team and work effectively with staff, faculty, alumni/ae, and other external and internal constituencies.
• Sense of urgency and enthusiastic commitment to Suffolk University’s Advancement priorities.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and a strong commitment to help developing and implementing the University’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies and goals.
• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks.
• High-energy individual with a positive outlook.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt quickly to changing environment.
• Creative and strategic problem solver.
• Highly motivated self-starter; able and willing to take initiative and action and work independently.
• Commitment to accountability.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Teams, Raiser’s Edge or a related data management system strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and some data analytics skills preferred.
• Experience with volunteer management is a plus.
• Ability to work weekends and evenings, as assigned.