Senior Advancement Officer

Department

Advancement and Alumni

Status

Full-Time

Time Period

40 hours/12 months

Available

August 11, 2025

Description

The senior advancement officer is an integral member of the Advancement team. This position serves the University in deepening its connections with alumni, friends, family and community partners to communicate CIU’s mission. This position has primary responsibility to lead fundraising efforts with a focus on the annual fund and deferred giving. The senior advancement officer is compelled by a deep support of Christian higher education and creatively identifies strategic opportunities to connect others to university priorities

Responsibilities

Work with the Advancement team to identify interests of annual fund and deferred giving investors with corresponding CIU funding opportunities.
Research, identify and execute specific strategies for reaching the university’s established financial goals.
Coordinate the promotion and acquisition of retirement account distributions and estates to help donors leverage IRS opportunities.
Ensure timely completion of all outreach including updates, thank you ’s and follow up.
Manage the annual fund and deferred giving communication cycle resulting in overall satisfaction from external and internal constituents.
Ensure continued financial growth of annual fund and deferred giving initiatives with a commitment to cultivation and care.

Qualifications

Demonstrate a genuine interest in CIU students, faculty and staff.
Passion to promote the university is essential.
Possess deep personal motivation, exceptional relationship and communication skills (listening, written and verbal) and high level of energy; must be able to overcome objections.
Demonstrate strong ability for significant planning, decision making and accomplishing results.
Execute management skills to oversee multiple projects with minimum supervision
Five to ten (5-10) years advancement experience.
Proficient in Microsoft products including Word, Excel, and Power Point.
Experience working with Raiser’s Edge.
Strong customer service skills in person/phone/computer with emphasis on listening.
Bachelor’s degree minimum.

Benefits

CIU provides a benefits package that includes:

Health Plan;
401(k) plan with match opportunity;
Employer provided group life insurance;
Long term disability insurance;
Vacation days, holidays, sick leave, family leave;
Educational benefits: tuition reduction for PreK3-Graduate.