Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Riverside, California
Posted: 29-Sep-25
Location: Northfield, Minnesota
Salary: $86,300 - $89,100
Employment Type:
Organization Type:
Required Education:
Job Title: Development Officer
Department: Development
Classification: Exempt
Grade: 13
FTE/Working Schedule: 1.0
Position Overview:
The Development Officer is responsible for developing and sustaining donor relationships on behalf of Carleton by communicating the College's needs and priorities to individual alumni, parents, and friends.
Compensation:
The expected starting salary range for this position is between $86,300 and $89,100. Actual pay will be adjusted based on job-related factors permitted by law, such as experience and training; licensure and certifications; market factors; departmental budgets; and responsibility.
Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities:
The Development Officer will report to the Director of Major Gifts and will have the following responsibilities:
- Qualify and cultivate donor prospects, solicit and close capital, planned, and annual gifts of
$100,000 and up. - Complete a combination of 250 meetings and cultivation steps per year (including 125 in-person visits) with donors and donor prospects.
- Manage a portfolio of 120-140 major gift prospects by maintaining regular contact with assigned donors, donor prospects, and leadership volunteers (Requires occasional weekend and evening work, including Carleton's annual reunion each June and traveling up to 50% annually).
- Identify ways to increase involvement of donors and donor prospects in the activities of the College, and provide appropriate stewardship for donors.
- Carefully review files prior to donor visits and write and file timely and thorough reports, including acknowledgments, contact reports and individual gift proposals.
- Participate with Development colleagues and others in regular planning meetings that facilitate initiating, developing, and implementing donor relationships, appropriate events, communications, activities, and campaigns.
- Develop, over time, thorough knowledge of planned giving vehicles such as life income gifts and estate provisions.
- Provide high-level support to College leadership, including preparing for and facilitating donor connections and solicitations in service of the College’s mission and fundraising priorities.
Education/Experience/Skills:
Required:
- Baccalaureate degree and 3+ years of experience.
- Candidate must be committed to the values of a liberal arts education, demonstrate intellectual curiosity, demonstrate the ability to directly solicit significant financial-related gifts, be persistent in following up with donor prospects, possess excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, and have the highest ethical standards.
Preferred:
- Experience in fundraising, capital campaigns, non-profit settings, relationship management, or higher education.
Must have ability to travel overnight frequently (50% of time) throughout the year, both regionally and nationally. Must possess the physical stamina for frequent travel.
Must have the ability to understand and follow written and oral work instructions, operations, safety procedures, and hazardous labels.
Note: This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.
Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the hire is complete. We accept only online applications.
Carleton College is an AA/EEO Employer: We are committed to developing our staff to better reflect the diversity of our student body and American society. Members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
Carleton also offers a robust suite of benefits including: A generous 403(b) retirement plan with a 10% employer contribution and 2% employee contribution. Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance. Paid time-off, including 20 vacation days, 8 paid holidays, 3, floating holidays, 2 weather days, and extra days at the end of the calendar year to make a continuous week off before New Year’s. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees. A dependent tuition program after six years of service.
Founded in 1866, Carleton College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college of roughly 2,000 students located in the historic river town of Northfield, Minnesota. Carleton College occupies more than 1,000 scenic acres of campus, arboretum, over 100 campus buildings, and athletic fields. Located 40 miles south of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Carleton offers access to the cultural advantages of a major metropolitan area.