Senior Development Officer - Onsite

Title: Senior Development Officer - Onsite

Mandatory skills:

Relationship building,
alumni, alumni programs,
alumni engagement, alumni relations, alumni database information,
Marketing, PR, Communications,
donor engagement, donor relations, donor stewardship,
program coordination, program development,
career development, communication materials,
Gifts, Event Planning,
organizational, collaboration, implement, edits, proposals, reports

Description:

The Senior Development Officer plays a critical role in advancing the mission of the client by identifying, cultivating, and stewarding prospective and existing donors, including alumni. This position is responsible for implementing and maintaining strategic fundraising initiatives, overseeing alumni engagement efforts, and fostering lifelong connections between alumni and the client.

The Senior Development Officer collaborates closely with Marketing and PR/Communications team to design and execute programs that drive donor engagement and strengthen the client s alumni network.
Additionally, this role serves as a liaison with donors, volunteers, Foundation representatives, and other stakeholders, ensuring seamless program coordination and development support while contributing to the growth of endowments and institutional support.

40% - Fundraising and Donor Cultivation: The Senior Development Officer implements development programs and strategies by conducting research, identifying prospective donors, and cultivating donor relationships to build loyalty. This includes coordinating and overseeing major planned giving programs to create a strong and consistent pipeline of giving and donor loyalty, identifies and stewards major gift donor partnerships and prospective donors, maintains donor contact, and implements stewardship programs. These efforts include gift acknowledgment, recognition, and reporting on funding and distribution. The position collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to design and implement development programs that enhance charitable contributions.
25% - Alumni Relations: This position plans and executes alumni-focused events, including reunions, networking opportunities, and recognition ceremonies. It establishes and supports an alumni advisory council to encourage active involvement in the client s mission and initiatives and develops engagement programs to foster lifelong relationships with the client, such as mentorship, volunteer, and career development initiatives. Additionally, it partners with the PR and Communications team to align alumni engagement strategies with broader campaigns and communications efforts
15% - Leadership and Collaboration: The Senior Development Officer leads and supervises key initiatives and projects related to fundraising and alumni engagement, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities. This involves coordinating
cross-functional teams, including volunteers, to execute initiatives effectively. It also includes collaborating with academic departments, Foundation representatives, and other stakeholders to identify opportunities for engagement and development.
10% - Operations and Reporting: This role updates and maintains donor and alumni database information, ensuring accurate records of contributions, prospective donors, and alumni engagement metrics. It prepares, edits, and reviews proposals, reports, and correspondence for development and alumni programs and contributes to the creation of information and communication materials used for donor and alumni cultivation.
10% - Other Duties: The Senior Development Officer performs other duties as assigned to support the client s development and alumni engagement goals, ensuring flexibility in meeting organizational needs.

Required Skills:
Fundraising for university/higher education setting, Relationship building skills, Manage alumni programs

Preferred Skills:
People prospecting, Well organized, High value donor marketing

Notes:
100% Onsite.

VIVA USA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a professional working environment that is free from discrimination and unlawful harassment. The Management, contractors, and staff of VIVA USA shall respect others without regard to race, sex, religion, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical, mental or sensory disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or status as a Vietnam-era, recently separated veteran, Active war time or campaign badge veteran, Armed forces service medal veteran, or disabled veteran. Please contact us at for any complaints, comments and suggestions.

Contact Details :

VIVA USA INC.
3601 Algonquin Road, Suite 425
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008