Careers at Bucknell

Are you skilled at engaging with others and building relationships?  Are you self-motivated, resilient, and focused on exceeding goals?  Would you enjoy extensive business travel to meet with Bucknell constituents in the course of soliciting and closing gifts to the University?  Bucknell is currently in the silent phase of our next campaign and has multiple positions to fill to meet our campaign goals.  This is an exciting time for University Advancement!  

The Development Officer is responsible for the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual prospects capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more.  We are seeking self-motivated and detail-oriented individuals that demonstrate strong organizational and interpersonal skills, including diplomacy, tact, discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.  These individuals are responsible for meeting fundraising goals and traveling to engage with donors. 

In this role, you will:

• Actively engage with a regional portfolio of prospects and donors; build relationships with prospects to understand their fundraising priorities.  Develop and implement strategies to secure gifts of $100,000 or more.  
• Promote the University’s fundraising priorities through excellent working relationships with Advancement colleagues, Bucknell faculty and staff, and University volunteers.  
• Organize and host campus visits for major prospects and donors; and arrange for appropriate follow-up 
• Partner with Gift Planning colleagues to maximize donor-driven charitable giving opportunities 
• Maintain and update database records in a prompt and timely fashion.

For the Development Officer, we are looking for someone with:  

• Bachelor's degree and four years of successful experience in fundraising, sales, or related fields or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrates practical application and experience with technology such as database functions/reports, Microsoft Office Suite, and Google Suite.
• Demonstrable track record of creative and collaborative strategy that results in successful closures of gifts/sales/related experience.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills, including diplomacy, tact, discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality inside and outside of University Advancement.
• Ability to function independently, yet relate comfortably, on a multifaceted fundraising team.
• Willingness and ability to travel (including air travel and travel to major metropolitan areas)
• Valid U.S. driver's license 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Major gift experience with a successful track record of closing six- and seven-figure gifts in a higher education setting.
• Working knowledge of the field of gift planning, including gifts of complex assets, gift vehicles, federal and state tax considerations surrounding charitable giving, and the financial considerations involved in administering planned gifts.

For the Senior Development Officer, we are looking for someone with:  

• Bachelor's degree and six years of successful experience in fundraising, sales, or related fields or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrates practical application and experience with technology such as database functions/reports, Microsoft Office Suite, and Google Suite.
• Demonstrable track record of creative and collaborative strategy that results in successful closures of gifts/sales/related experience.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills, including diplomacy, tact, discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality inside and outside of University Advancement .
• Ability to function independently, yet relate comfortably, on a multifaceted fundraising team.
• Willingness and ability to travel (including air travel and travel to major metropolitan areas)
• Valid U.S. driver's license 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Eight years of major gift experience with a successful track record of closing six- and seven-figure gifts in a higher education setting.
• Working knowledge of the field of gift planning, including gifts of complex assets, gift vehicles, federal and state tax considerations surrounding charitable giving, and the financial considerations involved in administering planned gifts.

Other Position Requirements:

This position (and all positions in our division) requires the occasional evening and weekend work to support university events including Homecoming & Family Weekend, Reunion Weekend, and large Career events. We do ask staff to mark their calendars in advance for these events. Also, UA may occasionally coordinate on-campus or off-campus events/activities outside of standard business hours.

Who we are:

University Advancement (UA) is here to advance the mission of Bucknell University by engaging the Bucknell community. It is only through the support of alumni, parents and friends – by opening doors to career opportunities, engaging others to join the conversation and community, and entrusting us with their philanthropic commitments -- that we can further elevate Bucknell as a leader in undergraduate education.

Our team is dedicated to this mission and unified by five values:

• Lead with Integrity
• Embrace a Collaborative and Inclusive Spirit
• Be Open and Receptive
• Nurture Creativity and Innovation
• Foster a Culture of Empowerment and Knowledge

These values also illustrate how we bring, as a division, the University's strategic plan to life and exercise our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion on a daily basis.

Work Type: 

This is a full-time, year round, benefits eligible position.

This role is not budgeted for visa sponsorship at this time, all candidates must be authorized to work in the US at the time of submission of the application.

Salary Range:

This is a staff exempt benefits eligible position with a hiring range of:

$70,500 - $88,125, Development Officer

$86,500 - $108,125, Senior Development Officer 

The offer rate will be based on a review of the candidate's credentials compared to the qualifications of the position, internal equity, and our overall compensation philosophy.

Benefits: 

Eligible full- and part-time employees are compensated beyond base salary through our total rewards package that includes (but is not limited to):
- flexible scheduling options determined by role;
- medical, prescription drug, vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance options
- an outstanding 10% employer contribution to your retirement plan (no contribution requirement for non-exempt positions)
- generous paid time off, including vacation and sick time, a community service day, and 19 paid holidays (including two full weeks off for Winter Break!)
- full-time and part-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for themselves. Additionally, full-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for their spouse/spousal equivalent and are eligible for various tuition programs for their children. Credit for full-time benefits eligible employment at other institutions of higher education will be applied to waiting periods.
- a comprehensive employee wellness program including program incentives
- a myriad of other benefits, including parental leave, an employee assistance program, fitness center membership, and the power of your Bucknell ID card
To learn more about Bucknell's benefits, click here! (*Eligibility criteria and waiting periods may apply.)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

Bucknell is committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports the growth and development of a diverse campus community.  We endeavor to enhance our capacity to value and capitalize on the cultural richness that diversity brings.  We encourage all individuals to apply and do not discriminate in admissions, employment, educational programs and/or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, sex/gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, or genetic information.