Employment Opportunities at ACU

ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. All applicants must be professing Christians and willing to support the Christian mission and purpose of Abilene Christian University while employed by the university.

1. 1. Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward current and prospective major donors to encourage new, increased and sustained contributions to key programs, projects and priorities across all areas of the University.
   2. Develop and implement – in collaboration with other advancement officers and advancement leadership – strategic annual plans to achieve specified goals for prospect/donor visits and contacts, proposals and new commitments primarily focused on high-end, leadership annual gifts and five-figure and above major and planned gifts.

1. 1. Prospect Management
      1. Manage a prospect portfolio of 100-125 active major gift prospects (cultivation, solicitation and stewardship) within assigned region, as well as a qualification pool of 50-75 prospective major gift prospects.
      2. Conduct 180-200 personal visits annually with established and potential major gift prospects in assigned region.
      3. Meet established performance metrics related to visits, contacts, proposals, new gifts and commitments, and newly qualified prospects.
      4. Manage prospect information within the ACU prospect management database (currently Ellucian CRM), including obtaining necessary information regarding potential major donors, entering contact reports, entering proposal activity and updates, maintaining and updating prospects, as well as gathering additional information to update the database.
   2. Strategic Planning
      1. Develop and manage strategic plans for all qualified and assigned major gifts prospects to determine constituent interest and to move assigned prospects toward solicitation and to manage stewardship after the gift.
      2. Develop strategies for contacting qualification prospects to determine their major gift potential and recommend assignment to a major gift portfolio, annual giving portfolio or assignment as a non-prospect.
      3. Perform periodic annual reviews of assigned prospects to ensure a focused and effective portfolio.
      4. Identify individuals (university staff, alumni and friends) who will serve as natural partners to cultivate and solicit prospects.
      5. Create opportunities to network in region to engage prospects, gather referrals and increase the visibility of ACU in local communities.
      6. Attend key university events in region, in Abilene, and in strategic national locations as appropriate.
      7. Help plan, staff and execute regional fundraising or alumni focused events and activities.
      8. Coordinate with regional and Abilene-based admissions professionals to make recommendations of prospective students, plan and attend events that combine alumni and prospective students, and identify/cultivate VIP parents.

1. 1. Skills
      1. Ability to work independently, exercise good judgment and make decisions with minimal guidance and oversight
      2. Personal integrity and demonstrated commitment to high standards and attention to detail.
      3. Demonstrated leadership, enterprise, and creativity skills, with the ability to work effectively with volunteers, colleagues, faculty and students.
      4. Ability to listen intently, and communicate persuasively and effectively.
      5. Maintain a working knowledge of basic computer software programs, primarily word processing programs, and Google and/or Microsoft Office program suites.
      6. Maintain a broad knowledge of the university’s CRM database.
      7. Maintain a broad knowledge of events surrounding the university as well as a broad knowledge of the university’s goals.
      8. Effectively manage office, travel time, budget responsibilities and performance goals.
      9. Display creative, critical thinking skills.
   2. Training Modules Required
      1. Maintain involvement with certain professional organizations such as NSFRE, CASE, AFP, etc., and attend periodic training seminars.
      2. Attend computer software training as deemed necessary.
      3. Learn the Concur system for managing travel expenses.
      4. Participate in management and organizational skills workshops as deemed necessary.

1. 1. Professional
      1. Bachelor’s degree or greater.
      2. Experience in fundraising, sales, business or a similar field that requires leading prospects to a positive decision. Three to five years of major gift fund raising experience preferred.
      3. Self-motivated, entrepreneurial attitude.
   2. Personal
      1. Display the ability to communicate persuasively and effectively, both orally and in writing.
      2. Display strong interpersonal relationship skills.
      3. Display strong organizational skills.
      4. Display neatness in appearance.
   3. Location
      1. Must live in the Austin/San Antonio area 

1. 1. Endure all demands associated with frequent travel such as extended driving time and numerous days and nights away from home.
   2. Endure demands resulting from significant time spent researching and writing, primarily on a computer.

ACU does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, disability, genetic information, national or ethnic origin in employment opportunities, in keeping with applicable state and federal law.

ACU is committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment and protecting the university's financial and physical assets.  Therefore, Abilene Christian University conducts background checks on all candidates for employment in security sensitive positions.