Assoc. Development Officer in Galesburg, Illinois at Knox College
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Job Description
Purpose:
The Associate Development Officer is responsible for developing and sustaining donor relationships on behalf of Knox by communicating the College's needs and priorities to individual alumni, parents and friends.
Position Summary:
Reporting to the Vice President for Advancement, the Associate Development Officer promotes dynamic growth in philanthropic giving to Knox. This position manages a portfolio focused on prospect discovery and qualification, along with cultivation and solicitation of leadership annual gifts, generally in the $1,500–$25,000 range. Working closely with Advancement team members, the Associate Development Officer learns Knox's approach to donor development, while directly contributing to the pipeline that feeds the College's major gifts program.
This role is intended as a growth path toward a full Development Officer position and is well suited to a candidate early in their fundraising career or transitioning from a related relationship-based field.
About Knox College Advancement:
Knox College's Advancement division supports the College's mission through major and principal gifts, annual giving, alumni and parent engagement, advancement operations, and grants. The team is currently focused on the Venture Boldly Campaign, strengthening connections with constituents, securing significant unrestricted support through the Knox Fund, and building a disciplined, high-performing major gifts program.
Key Responsibilities:
The Associate Development Officer will have the following responsibilities:
- Manage a dynamic portfolio of approximately 120-140 prospects, focused primarily on discovery, qualification, and gifts in the $1,500–$25,000 range.
- Conduct outreach, calls, and visits to assess prospect interest, giving capacity, and readiness for deeper cultivation.
- Complete a combination of 200 discovery/qualification steps per year (including 100 in-person or virtual visits) with donors and donor prospects.
- Regular participation in team meetings, training sessions, and prospect strategy discussions.
- Partner with Advancement leadership and colleagues on strategy and smooth hand-off of prospects and/or next steps as they are qualified for major gift attention.
- 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 Advancement colleagues and others in regular planning meetings that facilitate initiating, developing, and implementing donor relationships, appropriate events, communications, activities, and campaigns.
- Work with volunteers or key stakeholders on communication and event coordination.
- Assist with Advancement and College events and logistics as needed.
- Assist Advancement with special projects and/or new initiatives as needed.
Required:
- Baccalaureate degree and 1–2 years of experience in fundraising, sales, admissions, or a similar relationship-management field.
- Genuine intellectual curiosity and an appreciation for mission-driven work; prior experience in higher education or with a liberal arts institution is a plus.
- Eagerness to learn, take feedback, and grow into a major gift officer role over time.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport quickly and genuinely.
- Possess excellent written, and oral communication skills, as well as organizational and collaboration skills.
- Candidate must have the highest ethical standards and have the discretion and ability to maintain confidences and confidential material.
- Valid driver's license.
*This position is based in the Chicago metropolitan area, with a required on-campus presence in Galesburg of one week/month (total, not consecutive). Additional travel for donor visits and College events, including some evenings and weekends, should be expected. Knox College reserves the right to modify this arrangement based on institutional needs.
Summary Pay Range: Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance, and experience. Please note that pay is only one component of total compensation.
Benefits:
Health Insurance
Dental
Vision
FSA/ HSA/ FSA Dependent Care
Employer Paid Basic Life & LTD
Voluntary Life
Retirement Plan
Paid Time Off
Employee Assistance Program
Parental Leave
In keeping with its commitment to equal rights since it was founded in 1837, Knox College particularly welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups. Knox College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, religion or religious affiliation, sexual orientation or preference, age, marital or family status, disability, veteran status, or other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law in admission, financial aid, employment, athletics, or any other aspect of its educational programs or activities. In addition, Knox College is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its accompanying regulations from discriminating on the basis of sex.
The College official responsible for coordinating compliance with this Notice of Non-Discrimination is the Director of Civil Rights & Title IX Compliance. Any inquiries regarding policies that prohibit discrimination and harassment, including Title IX sexual harassment, as well as the policy prohibiting hazing, should be directed to the Director of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance identified below. Staff in the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX Compliance are available to meet with or talk to students, staff, and faculty regarding issues relating to this Notice of Non-Discrimination and the College’s policies and procedures.
Director of Civil Rights & Title IX Compliance
Old Jail 12 | Campus Box K-209
337 South Cherry Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
Phone: 309-341-7751
Email: cultureofrespect@knox.edu
Inquiries about the application of Title IX to Knox may be referred to the Director of Civil Rights & Title IX Compliance, the United States Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, or both. Individuals may also contact the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights for additional information.
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education-Chicago Office
500 W Madison St., Suite 1475
Chicago, IL 60661-4544
Phone: 312-730-1560
Email: ocr@ed.gov
Inquiries regarding the College’s policies regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”) should be directed to the ADA/504 Coordinator identified below:
Knox College ADA/504 Coordinator
Jennie Hemingway, PhD
Old Jail 12 | Campus Box K-209
337 South Cherry Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
Phone: 309-341-7751
Email: jhemingway@knox.edu
Employees requesting accommodations may contact:
Human Resources
52 W South St., Alumni Hall, Suite 100 | Campus Box K-200
Galesburg, IL 61401
Phone: 309-341-7162 or 309-341-7543
Email: hr@knox.edu
Students requesting accommodations may contact:
Director of Disability Support Services
Patricia Harden
Umbeck Science and Math Center E111 | Campus Box K183
340 South West Street
Phone: 309-341-7478
Email: pharden@knox.edu
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in certain aspects of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a human.