Product Development Associate Jobs in Oklahoma (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary:

Responsible for identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift donors and prospects for the Golden Hurricane Athletics. This individual has strong organizational and communications skills, a commitment to the mission and values of the Athletics Department, experience with a broad range of development programs and the ability to build productive relationships with a variety of constituents. This position reports to the AVP of Leadership Pipeline & Campaign Engagement in conjunction with the Director of Athletics.

Essential Functions (Responsibilities):

Fundraising Execution

• Maintains an active schedule of identification, solicitation, cultivation and stewardship calls and visits to donors and new prospects with philanthropic capacity. 

• Manages a personal portfolio of ~150 prospects and donors with specific goals and benchmarks intended to secure annual, major and planned gifts in the $25,000 and up range. 

• Staffs Athletic Director and key coaches on individual, corporate and foundation donor calls. 

• Coordinates and travels to key cities with the Athletic Director, coaches, and/or President to see Business major prospects, including setting and attending appointments, events, and follow-up. 

  • Ensure that proper briefings are developed. 

• When appropriate, develops formal proposals to donor prospects for support and works with Senior Director of Advancement Communications on proposals.

Planning and Analysis

• With senior University Advancement and Alumni Engagement staff, analyzes and evaluates current and past donor trends for college constituencies, and targets segments of donors and prospects for personalized attention. 

• Helps design a fundraising agenda that will support and advance the academic agendas of the Athletic Department. 

• Collaborates with the Athletic Department in setting specific dollar and donor goals for athletics and meeting these fundraising goals annually, as agreed upon with the Director of Campaign and Development Operations and the Vice President for University Advancement and Alumni Engagement.  

• Meet with the Athletic Director on a weekly basis. 

• Assists the Aspire Team and Annual and Affinity Giving office in identifying major annual fund prospects for the Athletic Department, increasing the number of new annual donors, reinstating lapsed annual donors, and upgrading current contributors to the athletic department's annual funds. 

• Works with the Development staff on special funding, including special athletic projects. Responsibilities include conferring with the Athletic Director and coaches on project description and needs, identifying potential corporate and individual prospects, and coordinating the cultivation/solicitation of donors for these initiatives.

Strategic Planning and Reporting

• Meets weekly with the leadership of the Athletic Department 

• Attends monthly meetings of the major gifts team in the Advancement Office to work out strategies.

• Works with the Annual and Affinity Giving office to monitor overlap between lists of President's Council and major gifts prospects to ensure that contact strategies are developed in a coordinated fashion for selected prospects.

• Works with designated special event professionals and publications staff in the Athletics Department and Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications to design cultivation and stewardship activities and printed materials that supports the fundraising goals of the Athletics Department

• Monitors and reports on progress toward dollar goals, retention and acquisition of donors in the Collins College of Business.

• Handles other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

Knowledge/Skill/Ability

Equivalent Education/Experience

• Experience in campaign fundraising.  

• Established track record of cultivating, soliciting, and closing significant philanthropic gifts ($25,000+) for higher education institutions.  

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively about engaging donors nationally, and to develop plans of action and follow through.  

• Ability to create a climate of confidence and trust on the part of donors, development colleagues and faculty.

• Superior problem-solving ability demonstrating maturity and sound judgment. 

• Exceptional written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills with ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the company.

• Ability to work with little supervision but collaboratively in a complex and energetic environment. 

• High energy, independent, self-starter. 

• Extremely proficient with Blackbaud Raiser's Edge. 

• Bachelor's Degree required

• Must have 5 or more years of experience in higher education development, fund raising or 

• Willingness to seek and forge new donor relationships.

Special Job Dimensions:

• Willingness to travel regularly and work some nights and weekends.

• Prolonged periods of standing at events. 

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.  

• Must be able to lift at least 15 lbs routinely.  

• Must be able to navigate an office setting. 

 

Note: The essential job functions and associated qualifications contained in this document describe the general nature and level of the work performed.  They are not intended to represent an exhaustive listing or be inclusive of all aspects of the job.  The tasks and procedures involved in the performance of the essential job functions may vary from day-to-day.  Major changes in areas of responsibility may occur, as directed by management, and will require revision of this job description. 

The University of Tulsa is a student-centered research university that cultivates interconnected learning experiences to explore complex ideas and create new knowledge in a spirit of free inquiry. Guided by our commitment to service and inclusion, we prepare individuals to make meaningful contributions to our campus, our community, and our world.
The University endeavors to create and nurture an informed and inclusive environment in its workplace and educational programs. Affirmative action and equal employment opportunity are integral parts of the University not just because they are legally mandated, but because we recognize that the present and future strength of the university is based primarily on people and their skills, experience, and potential. The University does not discriminate in access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, disability, genetic information, ancestry, or marital status. The University seeks to recruit, select, and promote students, faculty, and all other employees on the basis of individual merit.