Engagement Officer

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples’ lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found here.

Position Purpose:

The Engagement Officer will focus on increasing gift revenue by identifying opportunities and cultivating meaningful relationships with alumni and individuals. The Engagement Officer will manage a portfolio of current and potential donors, soliciting annual, major, and planned gifts in support of the university and its students with a commitment to delivering measurable results. Success in this role requires a highly cooperative spirit, strong communication and relationship-building skills, a forward-thinking approach, and the ability to relate to diverse constituencies while representing the university with tact and diplomacy.

Core Competencies:

Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers, and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
Upholds the Mission Statement: Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and examined lives. We empower our students to achieve lasting personal and professional success.
Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned.

Essential Job Functions:

Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of donors and prospects, focusing on building long-term relationships and securing philanthropic support.
Complete and document 90-120 prospect visits annually, aimed at increasing donor engagement and growing gift revenue.
Cultivate and solicit donors who have the capacity to make meaningful investments that are aligned with the university’s new strategic plan.
Serve as an advocate for the university's mission, sharing its greatest needs and opportunities with prospective donors.
Attend university events to cultivate new prospects and further engage current donors, in order to extend and deepen managed relationships.

Essential Job Requirements:

Education:

Bachelor's degree required.

Experience:

At least five years of successful experience in individual giving and/or major gift fundraising or any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential job functions.

Skills:

Proven experience in one-to-one fundraising, preferably in higher education.
Strong knowledge of the principles of fundraising and an ability to navigate all stages of the donor relationship and giving cycle.
Effective interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust and inspire donors.
High level of integrity and commitment to ethical standards.
Ability and willingness to support and articulate the mission, identity, and strategic goals of Aurora University.
A proactive, entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving with demonstrated success in exceeding fundraising goals.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Proficiency with fundraising databases and systems.

Special Requirements:

Ability to travel and work weekends as needed.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to communicate by phone, in person, and via email.
Ability to move about campus.
Ability to travel and visit prospects and donors in their offices and/or homes.

Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission.

To apply, please send resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references including name, telephone, and email address.

Aurora University
Human Resources
347 South Gladstone Ave
Aurora, IL 60506
jobs@aurora.edu - email

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.