Now Hiring! Leadership Gift Officer
📍 Location: Institutional Advancement
🕒 Schedule: M-F Business Hours
💰 Pay: $ 63,000-67,000
📄 Position Type: Full Time – 37.5 Hours per week

Why Join Canisius University

Canisius University serves approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students.  As a Catholic and Jesuit University, Canisius has its foundation in the fundamental values of academic excellence, leadership, faith and social justice. Canisius is committed to educating and preparing men and women to become leaders in their professions and their communities, and in service to humanity. The University is an equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting, supporting, and fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students.

What We Offer:

✅ Salary: $ 63,000-67,000

✅ Comprehensive Insurance Benefits – Health, Dental, Vision, Life and Long-Term Disability available the first of the month after the employee’s date of hire
✅ 403(b) with Company Contribution – Plan for your future with confidence – contribution from the university is available after one year of employment
✅ Paid Time Off – Includes vacation time, personal time, sick time, and paid holidays
✅ Tuition Benefits – Available for full-time employees and their qualified dependents

*Please note that the compensation information is a good faith estimate of the base pay for this position. The selected candidate’s compensation package for this position will be provided during the interview process.

Your Role as Leadership Gift Officer

The Leadership Gift Officer is a member of the University Advancement team and a front-line fundraising professional responsible for the annual solicitation and cultivation of leadership-level gifts of $1,000 - $25,000 to the Canisius Fund.  The successful candidate is responsible for the discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of prospects and will build and maintain a portfolio of up to 200 donors and prospects. The Leadership Gift Officer will concentrate on acquisition of new donors, renewal and upgrade of current leadership donors, and work to bring lapsed donors back to Canisius. This position reports to the Director of Advancement and works collaboratively and strategically with members of the Advancement team, faculty, campus leaders and volunteers. Under the visionary leadership of President Steve K. Stoute, Canisius University in the planning stages of the largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in the college’s 154-year history and leadership gifts will be an important part of this effort.

Key Responsibilities:

🔹 Effectively communicate the mission of Canisius and promote a comprehensive understanding of the philanthropic priorities of the university.

🔹 Conduct discovery visits to cultivate, solicit and acquire new donors capable of making leadership level gifts with a goal of at least 12 personal scheduled visits per month.

🔹 Meet agreed upon fundraising metrics as defined by supervisor, including solicitation and commitment goals, donor outreach and visits.

🔹 Leverage face-to-face and virtual meetings, phone calls, emails, alumni events, and other contacts to build relationships and increase support from prospects.

🔹 Prepare proposals, solicitation and cultivation materials.

🔹 Work with the Canisius Fund team to develop donor strategies for Giving Day and Reunion Giving program for challenges and acquisition of new donors.

🔹 Refer Leadership Society donors who have potential to make larger gifts to major gift officers.

🔹 Record activity and contact with prospects and donors into CRM Advance database in a timely manner.

What You Need to Succeed:

✔ Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of two years’ successful experience as a front-line fundraiser, preferably in higher education, or relevant experience involving relationship building, sales or marketing.
• Exemplary interpersonal and communication skills.
• A proven ability to self-motivate and work both independently and as part of a team.
• A deep appreciation for and commitment to the Catholic and Jesuit mission and intellectual tradition of Canisius University.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Familiarity with Ellucian CRM Advance a plus.

Important Information:

🚨 Canisius University participates in E-Verify to confirm employment authorization. The E-Verify process is completed alongside the Form I-9 on or before your first day of work. For more details, visit www.uscis.gov] and search "E-Verify."

📢 Apply Today!

To apply, please go to https://www.canisius.edu/about-canisius/employment-canisius. The review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Please include your cover letter, resume and three references with their contact information, with your application.

The Office of Human Resources at Canisius University utilizes an online recruitment management system.

Individuals who need reasonable accommodation under the ADA in order to participate in the search process should contact the office of human resources at (716) 888-2240.

Canisius University, a Catholic and Jesuit University, has as its foundation the fundamental values of academic excellence, leadership, faith and social justice. Canisius is committed to educating and preparing men and women to become leaders in their professions and their communities, and in service to humanity. The university is an equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting, supporting, and fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff and students.

Take the next step in your career with Canisius University—where excellence meets opportunity.