Development Officer for Annual Giving & Stewardship

The State University of New York College of Optometry seeks a highly motivated, self-starter to organize and execute annual giving and stewardship programs across constituencies. The Development Officer is a frontline position within the Office of Institutional Advancement partnering with the Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Director of Strategic Engagement and Alumni Affairs, Associate Director of Development, and other stakeholders to create and implement persuasive giving and stewardship programs that enhance revenue and engage constituents in the mission of the College. This position is integral in executing day-to-day operations, crafting messages, managing events, and documenting best practices for implementing programs. They will partner with internal and external stakeholders such as the Institutional Advancement team, members of the Alumni Association, vendors, and departments across the College.

Specific duties and responsibilities: Administering day-to-day operations for annual giving and stewardship programs, devising and implementing communication plans, developing annual calendars, crafting persuasive solicitation letters, impact statements, and stewardship materials, planning critical recognition events and activities, managing donor and partner recognition opportunities, conduct analysis and generate reports, and ensure timely submission and payment of invoices.

Key Duties:

• Administer day-to-day operations of the annual giving and stewardship programs to advance the College’s mission, goals, and objectives.
• Develop annual calendars for solicitations, stewardship, and recognition activities.
• Engage existing donors through strategic events, communications, impact reports, and connection to campus.
• Execute and manage recognition opportunities for donors, volunteers, and partners that drives progress on institution and departmental goals including implementing events.
• Craft strategic campaigns and annual appeals for various audiences including but not limited to alumni, patients, partners, friends of the College and/or Foundation, government officials, employees, and parents.
• Identify new audiences to approach as partners and/or investors for various programs.
• Ensure timely updating of donor records through research, gift entry, notes, etc.
• Produce, analyze, and execute reporting processes and procedures to ensure data collection and tracking to support metric driven decisions.
• Partner with Vice President to create and develop programs to enhance and strengthen relationships with a variety of high-level constituents including board members, donors, foundation representatives, corporate sponsors, community members, and alumni.
• Oversee gift acknowledgement process working with advancement team members to ensure proper recognition and adherence to best practices.
• Ensure on time processing and tracking of invoices and expenses against annual budget.
• Other duties as assigned including some nights and weekends required.

Skills:

• Professional presence with team-oriented attitude.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong customer-service orientation and ability to foster collaboration.
• Must be comfortable initiating conversation on the phone and in person.
• Ability to manage, prioritize, and navigate multiple assignments independently.
• Proficient use of Microsoft 365, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and similar products.
• Project management, excellent judgement, and problem-solving are a must.
• Ability to analyze and use key metrics.
• Meticulous attention to detail to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Strongly preferred knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or other similar CRM and reporting.
• Strong initiative to learn new skills, evaluate new technologies, and adapt to a fast-changing environment.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 2-3 years’ experience working in a related field.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Salary:

Annual Salary 65k to 75K, and there is also a generous benefit package. 15 days of annual leave to start and 13 paid holidays per year. We are a qualifying employer in the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. View our Benefits at Glance .

Click here to apply online:

The State University of New York College of Optometry is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction, or retaliation.

To view the College’s Annual Security Report, visit:

About SUNY College of Optometry:

The State University of New York College of Optometry advances visual health and patient care through leadership in education, research and service. More than a half century ago a group of dedicated optometrists and benefactors came together to create an institution that would support optometric education, vision science research and extend quality vision care to all New Yorkers and the surrounding community. The State University of New York College of Optometry evolved from this mission. Since we opened our doors to our first class of students in 1971, the College has grown to become one of the leading optometric education and vision research centers in the world. The College houses the University Eye Center — one of the largest outpatient vision care clinics in the country—and engages in cutting edge research that is helping to shape the future of optometric care.