Development Officer/Sr Development Officer

Position Title:

Development Officer/Sr Development Officer

Position Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Categories:

Staff Exempt

Job Summary:

** Multiple Positions Available **

Bucknell University is seeking talented, relationship-driven Development Officers and Senior Development Officers to join our growing University Advancement team in preparation for our campaign. These roles are ideal for fundraising professionals who are energized by building meaningful relationships, connecting donor passions to institutional priorities, and making a lasting impact through philanthropy. The positions involve extensive travel (approximately 50% of the time) to build and strengthen relationships with key donors, offering opportunities to engage directly with alumni, parents, and friends across the region.

Whether you are a strong major gift fundraiser ready to grow or a seasoned professional prepared for higher expectations, Bucknell offers a collaborative environment where strategy, relationships, and results matter.

Job Duties:

Reporting Relationship:

• Reports to Regional Development Director (1 of 3)

Work Setting/Schedule:

• This is a full-time role (40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year)
• This position requires frequent travel
• Evening and weekend work will be required periodically based on travel, events, and donor engagement activities.

What You Will Do:

Are you energized by building meaningful relationships and connecting people to a bigger mission? Do you bring curiosity, strategic thinking, and a thoughtful approach to your work? Are you comfortable taking ownership of your portfolio while collaborating across University Advancement and the broader campus? If so, this role could be a great fit. We are looking for someone who navigates complex situations with professionalism and care, thrives in a team environment, and balances independent initiative with collaboration.

Portfolio Management (Approx. 70%)

• Consistently engage in strategic face-to-face meetings with principal ($1M+) and major ($100K+) gift prospects and donors to advance them through the donor continuum. Secure individual gifts of $100,000 or more and meet annual data-driven metrics.
• Manage all aspects of the donor portfolio, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Build and grow a healthy prospect pipeline across alumni, parents, and friends of the University.
• Partner with Gift Planning colleagues to maximize charitable giving opportunities.
• Plan and host campus visits and experiences that prepare donors for leadership-level giving.
• Maintain accurate and timely donor and prospect records, including contact reports, strategies, and next steps.
• Staff large scale campus events and plan visits for individual constituents to return to campus for meaningful cultivation.
• Travel extensively (including air travel and major metropolitan areas) to support portfolio engagement and stewardship.

Strategy & Engagement (Approx. 30%)

• Develop strategies that align donor interests with Bucknell’s priorities.
• Collaborate with university leadership to tailor approaches that maximize fundraising outcomes.
• Participate in portfolio strategy reviews
• Prepare strategic briefings and coordinate meaningful engagements that deepen donor connection to the University.

The job description's listed responsibilities and task are not exhaustive, additional non-essential tasks and responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

The Strategic Philanthropy team is organized into three regional teams: New York Metro, Atlantic Region and West/Midwest. Positions are currently available across all regions. Candidates will be hired into the Development Officer or Senior Development Officer role following a review of their skills and experience against the minimum qualifications. Regional placement will be determined based on individual experience, location, portfolio needs, and overall team balance. This position may be considered for remote work, pending approval of the specific work location and in compliance with the University’s HR and Payroll requirements.

Please note that applications without a cover letter are considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. Your cover letter is an opportunity to share your motivation for applying. Please describe why the Development Officer role at Bucknell is of interest to you and how your skills and experiences connect to the responsibilities of the position. We are looking for thoughtful, genuine interest beyond a summary of your resume.

We are looking for exceptional people who will embrace our values:

• Lead with Integrity
• Embrace a Collaborative and Inclusive Spirit
• Be Open and Receptive
• Nurture Creativity and Innovation
• Foster a Culture of Empowerment and Knowledge

University Advancement is here to advance the mission of Bucknell University by engaging the Bucknell community. It is only through the support of alumni, parents and friends – by opening doors to career opportunities, engaging others to join the conversation and community, and entrusting us with their philanthropic commitments – that we can further elevate Bucknell as a leader in undergraduate education. These values illustrate how we bring, as a division, the University's strategic plan to life and exercise our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion on a daily basis.

Candidates will be hired into the Development Officer or Senior Development Officer role following a review of their skills and experience against the minimum qualifications for the positions.

• The hiring range for the Development Officer $72,640 to $90,800.
• The hiring range for the Senior Development Officer is $88,000 to $110,000.

Successful candidates are highly organized and relationship-oriented, with the ability to build trust and navigate complex relationships with discretion and professionalism. You will be comfortable working independently while also thriving in a collaborative, team-based fundraising environment. A strategic, curious mindset and a genuine interest in building meaningful relationships are essential. Above all, this role requires strong judgment, confidentiality, and professionalism both within University Advancement and across the broader University community. ​

Development Officer - Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and four (4) years of successful experience in fundraising, sales, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrates practical application and experience with technology such as database functions/reports, and Microsoft Office Suite, and Google Suite
• Demonstrable track record of creative and collaborative strategy that results in successful closures of gifts/sales/related experience or in building relationships
• Valid U.S. driver's license

Development Officer - Preferred qualifications

• Major gift experience with a successful track record of closing six- and seven-figure gifts in a higher education setting
• Demonstrates working knowledge of the field of gift planning, including gifts of complex assets, gift vehicles offered by the University, federal and state tax considerations surrounding charitable giving, and the financial considerations involved in administering planned gifts

Senior Development Officer - Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and six (6) years of successful experience in fundraising, sales, or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrates practical application and experience with technology such as database functions/reports, and Microsoft Office Suite, and Google Suite
• Demonstrable track record of creative and collaborative strategy that results in successful closures of gifts/sales/related experience or in building relationships
• Valid U.S. driver's license

Senior Development Officer - Preferred qualifications

• Eight (8) years of leadership and major gift experience with a successful track record of closing six- and seven-figure gifts in a higher education setting
• Demonstrates working knowledge in the field of gift planning, including gifts of complex assets, gift vehicles offered by the University, federal and state tax considerations surrounding charitable giving, and the financial considerations involved in administering planned gifts

Physical demands

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time; sit at a computer and use a mouse/keyboard for long periods of time.
• Must be able to work in a demanding environment with multiple competing deadlines and frequent interruptions.
• Must be able to travel with or without accommodations

Job Exempt:

Yes

Salary Range:

72,640.00-110,000.00

The offer rate will be based on a review of the candidate's credentials compared to the qualifications of the position, internal equity, and our overall compensation philosophy.

This role is not budgeted for visa sponsorship, all candidates must be authorized to work in the US without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

Benefits:

Eligible full- and part-time employees are compensated beyond base salary through our total rewards package that includes (but is not limited to):

• Flexible scheduling options determined by role;
• Medical, prescription drug, vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance options
• An outstanding 10% employer contribution to your retirement plan (no contribution requirement for non-exempt positions)
• Generous paid time off, including vacation and sick time, a community service day, and 19 paid holidays (including two full weeks off for Winter Break!)
• Full-time and part-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for themselves. Additionally, full-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for their spouse/spousal equivalent and are eligible for various tuition programs for their children. Credit for full-time benefits eligible employment at other institutions of higher education will be applied to waiting periods.
• A comprehensive employee wellness program including program incentives
• A myriad of other benefits, including parental leave, an employee assistance program, fitness center membership, and the power of your Bucknell ID card

To learn more about Bucknell's benefits, click here! (*Eligibility criteria and waiting periods may apply.)

Inclusive Excellence:
Bucknell is committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports the growth and development of a diverse campus community. We endeavor to enhance our capacity to value and capitalize on the cultural richness that diversity brings. We encourage all individuals to apply and do not discriminate in admissions, employment, educational programs and/or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, sex/gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, or genetic information.

If this position is approved for hybrid/remote work this position is open to candidates located in the following states: CA, CT, FL, GA, IN, MA, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, PA, SC, TX, and VA.

Candidates must be physically located and authorized to work in one of these approved states by the start date of employment and throughout employment.

E-Verify

Bucknell University participates with the United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) E-Verify program. We will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

For additional information regarding Bucknell's E-Verify requirements, please contact the office of Talent, Culture & Human Resources (570) 577-1631 or email hr@bucknell.edu.

About Bucknell

Founded in 1846 and located along the banks of the Susquehanna River in historic Lewisburg, Pa., Bucknell University is an undergraduate-focused institution that stands uniquely at the intersection of top-ranked liberal arts, engineering and management programs. Our students choose from more than 60 majors and 70 minors in the arts, engineering, humanities, management, and natural and social sciences, as well as extensive global study, service-learning and research opportunities. Bucknell’s 3,700 undergraduate and 30 graduate students enjoy a low 9:1 student-faculty ratio and exceptional opportunities to collaborate with faculty mentors on scholarly and artistic projects.

Bucknell’s beautiful 450-acre campus includes first-rate facilities and is home to more than 90 percent of its undergraduate students. Student life is vibrant with about 200 student-run organizations, 27 NCAA Division I athletics teams, a robust arts culture, and a commitment among many of the students to community and global service work.

Bucknell is committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and we seek candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports the growth and development of a diverse campus community. The University provides equal opportunity without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, marital status, veteran status or disability in admissions, employment and in all of its educational programs and activities. We encourage individuals from historically underrepresented groups to apply.

The Community

Lewisburg (pop. 5,700) is located in central Pennsylvania and features beautiful Victorian homes, the restored art deco Campus Theatre (owned by the University), a variety of restaurants, shops and boutiques, and the Barnes & Noble at Bucknell University Bookstore. It is the seat of Union County, which has about 44,000 residents.

The city of Williamsport is about a 30-minute drive from campus, and Penn State University’s main campus is about an hour away, as is Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s state capital. Bucknell is within a three-hour drive of New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

The cost of living is low compared to that of major U.S. cities and suburbs. Bucknell’s surroundings yield fresh produce, cultural activities and events, and outstanding opportunities for outdoor activity on the Susquehanna River and in the nearby state parks and forests. The Lewisburg Area School District receives excellent reviews for its schools at all grade levels. Lewisburg Area High School consistently ranks among the top 50 high schools in Pennsylvania for SAT scores and statewide exams.