What is the role of a Development Officer at Villanova University?

The Development Officer position at Villanova University is a Full-time or part-time position opportunity in the Professional Services field.

Where is this Development Officer job located?

Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085, United States

What type of employment is offered for this Development Officer role?

Full-time or part-time position

What is the expected salary for this Development Officer job?

$57,200 – $71,500 Yearly Salary

How can I apply for the Development Officer position at Villanova University?

You can apply directly through the application link provided.

Development Officer at Villanova University

Villanova University
Development Officer

Posting Details

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Posting Details (Default Section)

Posting Number:	20260067S
Position Title:	Development Officer
Position Type:	Staff
Location:	Villanova, PA
Recruitment Type:	Internal/External Applicants
Work Schedule:	full-time/12-months
Avg Hours Week
Department:	604 - University Advancement
Position Summary:	*Ignite Your Career at Villanova University!* Whether undergraduate or graduate, faculty or staff, each community member brings with them a wealth of experiences that enrich our University and shift our perspectives. As a part of this community, your work will improve lives and ignite change! *Why work at Villanova?* Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University’s founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others. • Villanova has been included among the nation’s best colleges and universities. VU’s inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best Colleges” rankings is another indication of the University’s continued prominence and forward momentum. • Villanova’s most precious asset is our people. As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more. Villanova University has embarked on a 10-year strategic plan, Rooted. Restless., with the goal of enhancing the Augustinian Catholic living and learning experience for all members of our community. University Advancement is seeking exceptional talent to join our mission-driven team working together toward our shared vision for Villanova, fueled by the generosity of the University’s philanthropic supporters as we “keep moving” in the spirit of St. Augustine in the public phase of Villanova’s comprehensive capital campaign: Espiritus Nova. The Development Officer, under the supervision of the Director of Development, will establish and manage effective relationships with leadership annual giving prospects. The Development Officer will identify and qualify donors capable of increasing their annual support and/or making multi-year commitments. The Development Officer will implement successful cultivation and solicitation strategies for these donors in support of the University’s unrestricted designations and Strategic Plan priorities. The Development Officer will assume stewardship responsibilities for prospects visited. The Development Officer will also collaborate across the Annual Giving team, taking part in engagement and solicitation programming and events, and contributing to the planning and execution of 1842 Day, Villanova’s annual Day of Giving, with particular focus on challenges and sponsorship gifts. The Development Officer is expected to conduct 12-15 prospect visits per month and manage a portfolio of 150 prospects per year, the majority of whom have gift capacity of $25,000 to less than $100,000. Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.
Duties and Responsibilities:	Frontline Fundraising: Identify and manage a portfolio of approximately 150 prospects, rated between $25,000 and $99,999 with a focus on increasing their annual support and/or securing multi-year commitments of $12,500+ (minimum of $2,500 annually) in support of unrestricted funds and strategic priorities. Conduct 12-15 personal visits with prospects each month in-person and/or virtually. Perform discovery, qualification and strategy development using data analysis, reporting tools (such as Cognos, Salesforce and Blackbaud Fundraiser Performance Management), and collaboration with fellow frontline fundraisers. Design and implement tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to achieve monthly and annual performance goals. Assist with managing and stewarding existing pledges and payments from unassigned donors. 1842 Day: Support the strategy and execution of 1842 Day by securing gifts, assisting with challenges and sponsorships, and contributing to evolving engagement priorities to drive dollar and donor success. Assist with donor coordination, gift agreements, gift tracking and stewardship related to 1842 Day commitments. Identify strategies and support efforts to ensure 1842 Day goals are met leading up to and on the day of 1842 Day. Blackbaud Fundraiser Performance Management (FPM): Effectively use Blackbaud’s FPM software to identify and evaluate prospects by leveraging the Targeter query tool, Advancement and Annual Giving viewports, and the six-square segmentation predictive modeling assessment to guide outreach strategy. Donor Inquiries: Serve as a point of contact for general donor inquiries received via email, phone, mail and social media. In collaboration with the Executive Director of Annual Giving, Director of Development and other University Advancement staff, assist in coordinating development activities including but not limited to 1842 Day, Homecoming, Reunion Weekend, and regional events.
Minimum Qualifications:	Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Business/Marketing/Communications. 1-3 years of successful frontline fundraising experience or related non-profit advancement work, preferably in higher education. Professional sales experience may be considered as part of overall fundraising experience. Must understand non-profit fundraising or sales. Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational and analytical skills required. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, goal-driven environment. Must have a positive, results-oriented approach to fundraising and teamwork, who can communicate clearly across all platforms and work diligently to advance and support Villanova’s mission and tradition of excellence. Proficiency with general office equipment, including personal computers, Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Office 365. A valid driver’s license and the ability to travel locally and regionally are required.
Preferred Qualifications:	Experience with personal solicitation, direct marketing and donor/volunteer management preferred. Experience with Banner, Salesforce CRM, Cognos Analytics, or other fundraising software is preferred.
Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours:	Evening and weekend work required to support Annual Giving and Advancement events; some travel required for prospect management and professional development.
Special Message to Applicants:
Posting Date:	03/03/2026
Closing Date (11:59pm ET):
Salary Posting Information:	This position falls within salaried grade 14 and the range for this position is $57,200-71,500. The final salary will be determined with consideration of several factors including the selected candidate’s qualifications, department budget availability, market data, and internal equity.
Salary Grade:	14
Job Classification:	exempt
Census Code

References Needed

References Needed

Minimum Number of References Needed	3
Maximum Number of References Needed	3

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

* How did you first hear of this employment opportunity?
- Indeed.com
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- LinkedIn
- Glassdoor
- Chronicle Vitae
- Academic Keys
- PA CareerLink/JobGateway
- Professional Affiliation/Trade Website
- Diversity Association/Publication Website
- Advertisement in Academic or Professional Publication
- Referred by a current employee
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- Heard about it at a conference or career fair
- Browsing the Villanova website
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* If your answer to the above question is "Other", please specify the source below. If this question does not apply to you, enter N/A.
(Open Ended Question)

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Development Officer at Villanova University – Villanova, Pennsylvania

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