Development Officer I - Blazer Athletics

About Us

 

As a comprehensive institution of the University System of Georgia, Valdosta State University (VSU) is a welcoming, aware, and vibrant community founded on and dedicated to serving our communities' rich and diverse heritages. Through excellence in teaching, basic and applied research, and service, VSU provides rigorous programs and opportunities that enrich our students, our university, and our region. As such, the VSU mission consists of three interrelated parts that includes a student mission, university mission and regional mission. The university is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity and citizenship. As members of this community and proud Blazers we strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University, as stated in the Blazer Creed and reflected in our commitment to the University System of Georgia's Core Values.

Blazer Creed

Valdosta State University is a learning environment based on trust and mutual respect in which open dialogue, vigorous debate, and the free exchange of ideas are welcome. The University is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice  civility, integrity,  and  citizenship.  As members of this community, and proud Blazers, we will strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University.

Civility  - A Blazer shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being.

Integrity  - Each Blazer is responsible for his or her own actions, and our community is stronger when we contemplate the context of our decisions and uphold the principles of trust and honesty.

Citizenship  - Every Blazer has an interest in the well-being of the community, and, therefore, a duty to stay informed, to make positive contributions, and to offer support to those who need help.

As a Blazer, we pledge to uphold the core principles of  Civility, Integrity,  and  Citizenship.

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About Us

 

As a comprehensive institution of the University System of Georgia, Valdosta State University (VSU) is a welcoming, aware, and vibrant community founded on and dedicated to serving our communities' rich and diverse heritages. Through excellence in teaching, basic and applied research, and service, VSU provides rigorous programs and opportunities that enrich our students, our university, and our region. As such, the VSU mission consists of three interrelated parts that includes a student mission, university mission and regional mission. The university is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity and citizenship. As members of this community and proud Blazers we strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University, as stated in the Blazer Creed and reflected in our commitment to the University System of Georgia's Core Values.

Blazer Creed

Valdosta State University is a learning environment based on trust and mutual respect in which open dialogue, vigorous debate, and the free exchange of ideas are welcome. The University is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice  civility, integrity,  and  citizenship.  As members of this community, and proud Blazers, we will strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University.

Civility  - A Blazer shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being.

Integrity  - Each Blazer is responsible for his or her own actions, and our community is stronger when we contemplate the context of our decisions and uphold the principles of trust and honesty.

Citizenship  - Every Blazer has an interest in the well-being of the community, and, therefore, a duty to stay informed, to make positive contributions, and to offer support to those who need help.

As a Blazer, we pledge to uphold the core principles of  Civility, Integrity,  and  Citizenship.

Job Summary

 

Perform a variety of university development activities, including cultivating donors and potential donors, coordinating and assisting with implementation of development initiatives such as annual giving programs, managing development and donor records.

 

Based on the recent Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers (H-1B), VSU will not be sponsoring any new H-1B visa petitions until further notice.

Responsibilities

 

Department Summary

Serve as a Development Officer reporting to the Valdosta State University Foundation and acting as the primary liaison to VSU Athletics. This role focuses on cultivating relationships with current and prospective donors, coordinating and implementing development initiatives specific to Blazer Athletics and managing donor relationships. Responsibilities include major gift fundraising, donor pipeline development, fostering alumni and corporate engagement, and supporting fundraising efforts aligned with the university's mission and goals. 

Typical Allocation of Duties:

Meet with donors and potential donors - 30%
Meet with donor prospects for the purposes of cultivation, solicitation, or follow-up of gift proposals and meet with current donors for the purpose of stewardship.

Research, identify, and contact potential donors - 20%
Research potential donors, make calls for appointments, and prepare solicitation proposals.

Maintain files and records - 20%
Maintain record of donor contact and correspondence. Maintain donor files, records and contact list.

Assist in the implementation of giving programs - 20%
Develops, oversees, and evaluates assigned area of a campaign.

Events - 10%
Coordinate and attends a variety of donor cultivation, solicitation, and appreciation events.

 

Supervisor Expectations:

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with current and prospective athletic donors, including alumni, corporate partners, and community stakeholders.
• Conduct regular donor meetings to secure major gifts and foster long-term engagement.
• Research and identify prospective athletic donors, preparing tailored strategies for outreach and solicitation.
• Maintain accurate donor records, including interactions, gifts, and correspondence, ensuring compliance with VSU Foundation policies.
• Provide meaningful stewardship to donors through acknowledgment letters, impact reports, and recognition events.
• Plan and attend donor cultivation, solicitation, and appreciation events, showcasing Blazers athletics' achievements and needs.
• Collaborate with the VSU Foundation, Athletics Director, coaches, and athletics leadership to identify funding priorities and donor opportunities.
• Represent Valdosta State Foundation at alumni, corporate, and community events to promote engagement and fundraising opportunities.
• Exhibit professionalism, integrity, and accountability while meeting fundraising goals and staying informed of industry's best practices.
• Meet or exceed established fundraising metrics, including number of first-time donor visits, face-to-face donor visits and gift proposals made.
• Ability to work nights and weekends.
• Some overnight travel may be required.

 

Required Qualifications

 

Required Experience
Bachelor's degree and three (3) years of related work experience.

Proposed Salary

 

$54,237

USG Core Values

 

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/sect....

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/sect....

Conditions of Employment

 

Applicants are required to provide:

• professional references with current contact information

• documentation of academic credentials

• employment history

Please note that during the search process, VSU reserves the right to:

• ask candidates who will serve in Positions of Trust to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment,
• view social media outlets, and
• remove job postings without additional notification.

Employment is contingent upon:

• successful completion of a background check investigation, including a criminal background check
• reference checks  

Employment may also be contingent upon the job-based requirements if applicable for your position:

• satisfactory credit check
• successful completion of a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
• pre-employment drug testing
• confirmation of credentials

 After initial hiring, employees will be required to successfully complete all of the following training:

• New employee orientation

• VSU's Annual Compliance Training:

  • USG Ethics Policy
  • Conflict of Interest/Outside Activities Policy
  • Drug Free Workplace
  • Sexual Misconduct and Title IX
  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
  • Motor Vehicle Policy
  • Workers Compensation (new hires)
  • Georgia Open Records Act (new hires)

• USG Cybersecurity Training (required twice yearly)

  • Job-specific training such as: FMLA and Worker's Compensation, Budget Manager training, Purchasing Training (ePro & PCard), and Defensive Driving

Equal Employment Opportunity

 

Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual.

Background Check

 

• Position of Trust + Credit

Accommodations

 

If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings, apply for a job on this site, or participate in the search process as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Catherine Wills, in the Office of Human Resources at croark@valdosta.edu.

Clery Disclosure

 

The Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act requires institutions of higher education to publish an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR). The ASFSR includes crime statistics for the three previous calendar years of reported crimes that occurred on campus; in or on certain non-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by our institution; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and fire safety policies and statistics. The ASFSR is published annually by October 1 and is available online at:  https://www.valdosta.edu/administrati.... You may request a paper copy of the report by emailing openrecords@valdosta.edu.

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