Associate Development Officer, Academic Divisions & Regions

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

The purpose of Advancement and Alumni Relations (AAR) is to foster a thriving and engaged community of support for Caltech. By engaging the people who share and support Caltech's mission and values, we will ensure the Institute receives the necessary resources to achieve Caltech's aspirations and sustain its excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship in perpetuity. AAR team members embrace and uphold the values of diversity, integrity, respect, focus, and pride.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Development for Regional Major Gifts and Student Affairs, the Associate Development Officer at Caltech is responsible for effectively representing the California Institute of Technology to secure individual contributions of approximately $100K and above. Working closely with a dynamic AAR team, the Associate Development Officer is expected to expand the donor pipeline, create effective engagement strategies for new and existing major gift donors, and develop a greater Caltech presence.

We seek individuals having a deep interest in science, who are highly self-motivated, forward-thinking, committed to teamwork as well as individual achievement. The Associate Development Officer will develop and maintain a portfolio of major donor prospects, and will carry out strategic cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of these donors in conjunction with faculty and senior development leadership.

• Develop and manage close relationships with major donors and major gift prospects for solicitations ranging from approximately $100K and above.
• Move prospects through the donor continuum by executing quality, strategic visits to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors to successfully close gifts (expected to achieve performance measures consistent with annual work plan).
• Familiarize and develop an understanding of key campus programs and priorities to match donor's interest to campus needs.\
• Coordinate with development colleagues and faculty leaders as appropriate to create effective engagement opportunities to deepen donor's relationship with Caltech.
• With members of the AAR team, assist in the coordination of donor recognition and cultivation events in identification of potential guests, pre- and post-event donor cultivation and solicitation.
• Utilize and update the donor database by recording activities and contacts on an ongoing basis. Provide written materials, including prospect briefings, donor acknowledgements, and proposals as needed.
• Assist with long-range planning for the department.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• 2 or more years of frontline fundraising experience, and in cultivating and soliciting prospects capable of five- and six-figure gifts.
• Solid relationship-building skills with desire and ability to cultivate and solicit donors in face-to-face meetings.
• Ability to prioritize work, manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Ability to travel as needed, approximately 20-30% of the time.
• Demonstrated problem-solving, organizational and analytical skills, with solid attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively with top-level donors and senior Caltech administrators.
• Valid driver's license for travel, local and national.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office software, including Excel and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with techniques to research comparisons for programs and projects related to science and technology to enhance donor proposals.
• Self-starter with ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Professionalism, maturity, and an ability to work with confidential information.
• Demonstrate the ability to practice and adhere to organizational values.

• Experience working in higher education.
• Familiarity with Advance or similar fund-raising databases.
• Agility in adapting to change in a fast-paced working environment.

• Resume.
• Cover Letter.