Advancement Officer

ADVANCEMENT OFFICER

-ADVANCEMENT-

Concordia University, Nebraska, an institution of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, believes, teaches, and confesses that the Holy Scriptures are the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God. As people called by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel to saving faith in Christ Jesus, the Word of God guides all we do in leading, teaching, and learning. Concordia equips students for lives of learning, service, and leadership in the home, church, and world.

Come and belong...join our team of passionate service leaders!

Concordia University is needing an Advancement Officer who wants to be a part of this mission . The main campus (and this role) is located in Seward, Nebraska. If you thrive in a Christian atmosphere and community-driven environment, you will enjoy Concordia University's community feel. If you want to learn more about Concordia University, Nebraska, please visit

Position Purpose:

The primary responsibility of this position is to cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors to support the mission and vision of Concordia. This position holds a key role in securing significant gifts that directly impact the University's ability to achieve its goals and carry out its mission. The position works directly with prospects, friends, and leaders of the University to identify, qualify, solicit, and steward major gifts; gifts which are both current and deferred. This is a full-time position with a full-times benefits package. Must be 19 years or older to apply.

Responsibilities:

1. Manage a portfolio of assigned major gift prospects and donors.
2. Develop and execute strategies for individual donors.
3. Continually assess the relationship between portfolio donors and the University.
4. Develop new opportunities for major and deferred gifts by qualifying and engaging new prospects.
5. Personally visit and cultivate assigned prospects and existing donors to cultivate and invite Concordia Fund gifts, major gifts, and deferred/planned gifts.
6. With the Senior Director and Vice-President of Development and Advancement, set annual personal performance goals, work to achieve those goals, provide feedback, and hold oneself accountable for accurate and timely performance of job duties.
7. Provide necessary documentation, stewardship, and follow-up to donors and prospects as well as internal university colleagues.
8. Attend, collaborate, and be an effective team participant in regular management and team meetings.
9. Assist the Advancement team by providing support services for the President, Provost, deans and volunteers in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gifts (current and deferred).
10. Represent the University by being a spokesperson and ambassador to its internal and external constituents at University events.
11. Maintain accurate files and reports on donors and prospect activities, ensuring confidentiality.
12. Work collaboratively with other leadership and staff in the Office of Institutional Advancement to achieve the successful fulfillment of all departmental goals, including any special campaign goals.
13. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education-

• Bachelor's degree required.

Experience-

• Three or more years of relevant experience within the areas of cultivation, solicitation, and closing sales or gifts.

• Success in fundraising/sales with at least one year of focused major gifts/large accounts is preferred.
• Proven job experience relevant to consultative sales, involving face-to-face solicitations.
• Effectiveness and comfort in dealing with high-level donor prospects including the skills to articulate University mission and priorities and connect them to the interests of the prospect.

Certifications-

• Valid driver's license.

Specialized Knowledge-

• Knowledge of major gift work, deferred gift instruments, estate planning and practical experience in related field is important.

Proficiencies-

• Proficient in the use of technology, software applications including Banner, and related applications, databases, spreadsheets, and word processing necessary for the Advancement team.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks on sometimes short deadlines.
• Dedication to enhance skills and competencies through networking events, activities, conferences, workshops and Advancement-sponsored educational activities.

Special Position Requirements:

1. An active and evident Christian faith and membership in a congregation is required. Membership in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is preferred.
2. Must be an extremely strong communicator with excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
3. Able to prioritize work with a strong sense of urgency to achieve goals, while having a high degree of self-sufficiency.
4. Able to plan, develop, and implement effective strategies for engaging major gift donors.
5. Able to represent Concordia University with a high degree of professionalism.
6. Able to communicate professionally with a diverse constituency both on and off campus.
7. Is an active listener with the skills to observe and adapt to the reactions of others with compassion.
8. Committed to an environment of encouragement, teamwork, and excellence within a Christian University.
9. Responsible for creating an environment that is consistent with the values of the University and fosters the development of campus. This environment is one that is designed to build a positive character and foster Christian faith formation.
10. Demonstrate character qualities of enthusiasm, courtesy, flexibility, integrity, gratitude, kindness, self-control, perseverance, and punctuality.
11. Able to work within a culture of teamwork with emotional stability and positive words/actions.
12. Be professional and courteous in dealing with donors, students, families, faculty and staff, and the general public.
13. Values and beliefs aligned with The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod with comfort and willingness to share personal faith and stewardship.
14. Ability to travel frequently, including overnight and weekend events.
15. Ability to maintain driver's certification for University provided vehicles and University-related travel.
16. Must follow security policies that correspond to the level of sensitivity of the data they handle.
17. Should promptly report any security concerns or incidents to designated personnel.
18. Maintain security and patching of personal devices connected to the institutional email.
19. Maintain high standards for institutional, staff, faculty, employee, and financial data used for business operations.