Development Officer Or Senior Development Officer

Development Officer Or Senior Development Officer

R0000002324

401 Post Office

Position Title:

Development Officer or Senior Development Officer

Position Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

Categories:

Staff Exempt

Job Summary

** Multiple Positions Available **

Bucknell University is seeking talented, relationship-driven

Development Officers and Senior Development Officers to join our

growing University Advancement team in preparation for our

campaign. These roles are ideal for fundraising professionals who

are energized by building meaningful relationships, connecting

donor passions to institutional priorities, and making a lasting

impact through philanthropy. The positions involve extensive travel

(approximately 50% of the time) to build and strengthen

relationships with key donors, offering opportunities to engage

directly with alumni, parents, and friends across the region.

Whether you are a strong major gift fundraiser ready to grow or a

seasoned professional prepared for higher expectations, Bucknell

offers a collaborative environment where strategy, relationships,

and results matter.

Job Duties:

Are you energized by building meaningful relationships and

connecting people to a bigger mission? Do you bring curiosity,

strategic thinking, and a thoughtful approach to your work? Are you

comfortable taking ownership of your portfolio while collaborating

across University Advancement and the broader campus? If so, this

role could be a great fit. We are looking for someone who navigates

complex situations with professionalism and care, thrives in a team

environment, and balances independent initiative with

collaboration. ​

Strategy & Engagement (Approx. 30%)

• Develop strategies that align donor interests with Bucknell's

priorities.

• Collaborate with university leadership to tailor approaches

that maximize fundraising outcomes.

• Participate in portfolio strategy reviews
• Prepare strategic briefings and coordinate meaningful

engagements that deepen donor connection to the

University.

Portfolio Management (Approx. 70%)

• Consistently engage in strategic face-to-face meetings with

principal ($1M+) and major ($100K+) gift prospects and donors to

advance them through the donor continuum. Secure individual gifts

of $100,000 or more and meet annual data-driven metrics.

• Manage all aspects of the donor portfolio, including

identification, cultivation, solicitation, and

stewardship.

• Build and grow a healthy prospect pipeline across alumni,

parents, and friends of the University.

• Partner with Gift Planning colleagues to maximize charitable

giving opportunities.

• Plan and host campus visits and experiences that prepare donors

for leadership-level giving.

• Maintain accurate and timely donor and prospect records,

including contact reports, strategies, and next steps.

• Staff large scale campus events and plan visits for individual

constituents to return to campus for meaningful

cultivation.

• Travel extensively (including air travel and major metropolitan

areas) to support portfolio engagement and stewardship.

The Strategic Philanthropy team is organized into three regional

teams: New York Metro, Atlantic Region and West/Midwest. Positions

are currently available across all regions. Candidates will be

hired into the Development Officer or Senior Development Officer

role following a review of their skills and experience against the

minimum qualifications. Regional placement will be determined based

on individual experience, location, portfolio needs, and overall

team balance. This position may be considered for remote work,

pending approval of the specific work location and in compliance

with the University's HR and Payroll requirements.

We are looking for exceptional people who will embrace our

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

University Advancement 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. These values 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.

Candidates will be hired into the Development Officer or Senior

Development Officer role following a review of their skills and

experience against the minimum qualifications for the

positions.

• The hiring range for the Development Officer $72,640 to

$90,800.

• The hiring range for the Senior Development Officer is

$88,000 to $110,000.

​

Successful candidates are highly organized and

relationship-oriented, with the ability to build trust and navigate

complex relationships with discretion and professionalism. You will

be comfortable working independently while also thriving in a

collaborative, team-based fundraising environment. A strategic,

curious mindset and a genuine interest in building meaningful

relationships are essential. Above all, this role requires strong

judgment, confidentiality, and professionalism both within

University Advancement and across the broader University community.

​

Development Officer - Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and four (4) years of successful experience

in fundraising, sales, or related field or an equivalent

combination of education and experience

• Demonstrates practical application and experience with

technology such as database functions/reports, and Microsoft Office

Suite, and Google Suite

• Demonstrable track record of creative and collaborative

strategy that results in successful closures of gifts/sales/related

experience or in building relationships

• Valid U.S. driver's license

Development Officer - Preferred qualifications

• Major gift experience with a successful track record of closing

six- and seven-figure gifts in a higher education

setting

• Demonstrates working knowledge of the field of gift planning,

including gifts of complex assets, gift vehicles offered by the

University, federal and state tax considerations surrounding

charitable giving, and the financial considerations involved in

administering planned gifts

Senior Development Officer - Minimum

qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and six (6) years of successful experience in

fundraising, sales, or related field or an equivalent combination

of education and experience

• Demonstrates practical application and experience with

technology such as database functions/reports, and Microsoft Office

Suite, and Google Suite

• Demonstrable track record of creative and collaborative

strategy that results in successful closures of gifts/sales/related

experience or in building relationships

• Valid U.S. driver's license

Senior Development Officer - Preferred

qualifications

• Eight (8) years of leadership and major gift experience with a

successful track record of closing six- and seven-figure gifts in a

higher education setting

• Demonstrates working knowledge in the field of gift planning,

including gifts of complex assets, gift vehicles offered by the

University, federal and state tax considerations surrounding

charitable giving, and the financial considerations involved in

administering planned gifts

Physical demands

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended

periods of time; sit at a computer and use a mouse/keyboard for

long periods of time.

• Must be able to work in a demanding environment with multiple

competing deadlines and frequent interruptions.

• Must be able to travel with or without

accommodations

Job Exempt:

Yes

Salary Range:

0.00-0.00

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.

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.

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.)

Inclusive Excellence:

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.

E-Verify

Bucknell University participates with the United States Customs and

Immigration Services (USCIS) E-Verify program. We will provide the

federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that

you are authorized to work in the U.S.

For additional information regarding Bucknell's E-Verify

requirements, please contact the office of Talent, Culture &

Human Resources (570) 577-1631 or email hr@bucknell.edu.

To apply, visit https://bucknell.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External/job/401-Post-Office/Development-Officer-or-Senior-Development-Officer_R0000002324.

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