Santa Clara University · 18 hours ago
Development Officer
Santa Clara, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Entry, Mid Level
$85K/yr - $102K/yr
2+ years expSanta Clara University is home to the Miller Center for Global Impact, which focuses on social entrepreneurship and climate resilience. The Development Officer will support fundraising efforts by securing philanthropic gifts and grants, building relationships with donors, and collaborating with internal and external partners to achieve the center’s strategic goals.
EducationHigher EducationUniversities
Responsibilities
With support from Senior Director and University Relations leads the engagement and solicitation strategies for leadership giving prospects ($10,000–$199,999) for Miller Center for Global Impact
Assists in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of existing portfolio of 100–150 giving prospects, conducting face-to-face and virtual visits monthly to qualify, engage, solicit, and steward donors for Miller Center
Is directly responsible for achieving annual individual, institutional, and foundation fundraising goals, typically ranging from $250,000–$500,000
Performs all aspects of fundraising moves management (discovery, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship) to deepen relationships and maximize support
Proactively researches, identifies, and explores new funding and partnership opportunities with new and existing partners. Screens, manages, and prioritizes unsolicited partnership inquiries. Collaborates with University Relations on identified new opportunities
Works with the Senior Director of Development to create an annual fundraising plan for Miller Center, including strategies for meeting targets and milestones
Develops and negotiates external institutional partnerships to support compelling, fundable social impact program opportunities
Contributes to writing and presenting persuasive funding proposals, budgets, cases for support, presentations, and concept notes for new and renewed funding opportunities. Solicits and secures financial, in-kind, and all other identified forms of support from institutional prospects
Works with Development team to engage Deans and senior Center and Academic leadership to introduce key giving prospects at events and/or personal meetings, providing briefings and follow-up
Tracks and records prospect activities in Salesforce/CLARA/Trello and reports on key fundraising metrics for the portfolio
Supports the development functions of the Advisory Board through meeting attendance and annual board member solicitations
Collaborates across internal teams (Programs, Development, Systems, and Operations), University Relations, and with corporate and foundation partners to fund and support program objectives from inception to completion, ensuring alignment with Miller Center’s strategic goals
Effectively communicates plans, progress, and performance of programs to key stakeholders, including funders and partners
Conducts Impact Reporting and Analysis, shares results and insights with funding partners and Miller Center staff, and provides recommendations for program design and improvements
Collaborates with University Relations, marketing and public relations staff to develop media campaigns that position Miller Center as a thought leader and build awareness of programs globally
Participates in regional and global associations, collaboratives, and coalitions such as Sankalp, SOCAP, FLII, and World Economic Forum Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship, Catalyst 2030 with Miller Center Programs staff and leadership
Monitors global trends in the global philanthropic ecosystem in sectors aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (with a focus on Goals 5, 6, 7, and 8)
Identifies and recommends SCU alumni and community members for involvement with networking and fundraising efforts
Qualification
Required
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily
Bachelor's degree
2 to 5 years of progressively responsible work experience with high-net-worth individuals and business development, preferably with institutional partners
A minimum of two years of grant-writing related work experience
Valid driver's license is required
Clear understanding of fundraising concepts, principles, procedures, and techniques
Direct knowledge of successful fundraising best practices, particularly leadership giving and institutional philanthropy trends
Knowledge of social entrepreneurship and trends in the social enterprise ecosystem
Strong management skills, exceptional attention to detail, proven planning skills, strong organizational skills, and superior follow-through
Ability to analyze and interpret data, develop insights and conclusions, and translate them into actionable tasks
Proven capability to interface with appropriate gift level (>$300,000) individual and institutional partners to Miller Center and SCU
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to handle multiple projects, set priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain a high level of performance in a fast-paced multicultural environment
Proficiency in using advanced functions of Google Suite, Blackbaud, PowerPoint. Familiarity with Salesforce desired (experience with Blackbaud CRM and Salesforce is a plus)
Exercises sound judgment and maintains confidentiality, demonstrating outstanding sound ethical judgment
Ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural community
Understanding and appreciation of the mission of Santa Clara University and the vision and values of a Jesuit Catholic educational institution
Passion and commitment to building a 'more humane, just, and sustainable world'
Preferred
Master's in Business Administration degree or similar coursework
Experience living and working in low- and/or middle-income countries, ideally working directly with a social enterprise or social enterprise accelerator
Experience participating in, or working in, a capacity development training program
Experience in a higher education environment
At least two years of experience in the social enterprise ecosystem
Proficiency in Spanish, French, or another language spoken widely in the regions in which Miller Center works
Company
Santa Clara University
Jesuit University in Silicon Valley
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$100MKey Investors
National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing BiopharmaceuticalsKnight Foundation
2024-04-09Grant
2022-04-07Grant
2017-01-22Grant· $100M
Leadership Team
T
Tim Harris
Dean’s Executive Professor, Coord Contemporary Business
Recent News
2025-11-05
Morningstar.com
2025-10-24
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