Position Title: Donor Engagement Advisor

Department or Program: Institutional Advancement                                 

Classification: Staff, Salaried, Exempt

Reports to: Director of Donor Advising

Location: Preferred location in the western US or at one of Antioch University’s campus cities in Seattle, Los Angeles, or Santa Barbara.

Compensation: Antioch University offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes both direct and indirect pay.  The compensation will be based on experience, education, knowledge, credentials, and a consideration of the difficulty and complexity of the position. The salary range for this position is $70,000.00 - $90,000.00.

Position Summary

The Donor Engagement Advisor will be a relationship-driven fundraiser and grow the University’s major donor pipeline. The Donor Engagement Advisor will be responsible for identifying and qualifying a new generation of supporters, moving them from mid-level giving into the major gift circle ($25,000+). The goal size for a dynamic portfolio is between 80-90 prospects. The Philanthropy Officer is a primary driver of the organization’s mission. This role aims to not just "ask for money"; but to about match a donor’s philanthropic legacy with our most critical strategic needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Qualification & Discovery (30%)

• Proactively reach out to "unassigned" prospects to determine their philanthropic intent.
• Act as the "first responder" for potential major donors.

Portfolio Management (30%)

• Identify, qualify, and cultivate a portfolio of prospects that advance donors through Discovery, Cultivation, Solicitation, and Stewardship, while also maintaining meticulous records in the CRM, tracking every touchpoint to ensure accurate pipeline forecasting.

Strategic Solicitation (20%)

• Conduct 10–15 substantive moves (visits/calls) per month, and will be responsible for development of customized gift proposals and face-to-face solicitations to independently closing gifts.
• Gifts will include major gifts, leadership annual support, and planned giving.

Stewardship (10%)

• Ensure donors receive high-touch updates on the impact of their gifts, fostering long-term retention and "upgrading" donors to Principal Gift levels.

Collaborative Leadership (10%)

• Partner with the VP and IA team members to refine advancement strategy and build relationships within the University.
• Ability and willingness to travel to meet alumni and prospects where they are.

Supporting Actions:

1. Working in coordination with other members of advancement team to support Antioch University’s mission and strategic plan
2. Spending significant amount of time building relationships with donor prospects through local, regional, and national travel, as well as video conferencing technology
3. Identifying unique ways to connect prospects personal passions with the mission of the University
4. Develop a deep knowledge base of the University’s programs and funding priorities to create and effectively communicate a powerful case for philanthropic support
5. Collaborate and provide strategic direction to key faculty, administration, and Deans of Schools to expand their ability to identify and cultivate prospects
6. Actively engage with the communities where Antioch is present, representing and advocating for the University and the Coalition
7. Work with the VPIA and IA team to establish metrics and goals that assess progress and performance
8. Collaborate on comprehensive campaign planning, budget maximization, unit strategic planning, and special projects

Minimum Requirements:

• Experience: 3+ years of frontline fundraising experience with a proven track record of asking for and securing major gifts, or a demonstrated skillset that is highly applicable.
• Communication: Exceptional "active listening" skills. can translate complex programmatic data into a compelling, emotional narrative.
• Tech-Savviness: Mastery of Raiser’s Edge NXT, Salesforce Philanthropy Cloud, or similar CRM platforms for data-driven decision-making.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree required; CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) certification or other professional development preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Comfort and skill operating in a complex yet established institution
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work within and across teams
• Results oriented and mission driven
• Comfort with a travel schedule that could be significant
• Adaptability to unexpected challenges
• Ability to represent the University and Institutional Advancement professionally

Hours of Employment

This is a full-time position serving a national university. A work schedule will be established in consultation with the supervisor.

Work Location

Preferred location in the western US or at one of Antioch University’s campus cities in Seattle, Los Angeles, or Santa Barbara.

Physical Requirements

The essential functions represent the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform with or without a reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Antioch University reserves the right to change the duties of this position at any time.

Benefits Summary:

Voluntary Health, dental and vision plan and flexible spending account options; employer retirement plan contribution of 6%; voluntary salary deduction to a pre-tax or post-tax retirement account; employer paid life insurance and short term disability; voluntary supplemental life insurance, long-term disability, accidental death/dismemberment, critical illness, and accident coverage plans; vacation accrues monthly (3 weeks from 0 – 5 years; 4 weeks after 6 years; carry-over allowed up to 3.75 days 0 – 5 years; up to 5 days, after 6 years and up); 12 days per year sick leave (carry-over up to 65 days); 15 paid holidays; tuition remission for employees and dependents at Antioch University campuses; and employee paid options with AFLAC, LegalShield, and Liberty Mutual. (This list is meant to be an informal summary of benefits. Plan benefits and eligibility requirements are governed by the plan documents and University policies which will be made available upon request).

To Apply 

Please email a cover letter, CV/resume, and a list of reference names and contact information to [email protected]. In the subject line of the email, please state Donor Engagement Advisor.

NOTE:  The successful candidate for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

Coalition for the Common Good (CCG) EEO Statement

The Coalition for the Common Good provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic or class protected by federal, state or local laws in matters affecting employment or in providing access to programs. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. The CCG complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Equal Pay Act and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Inquiries should be addressed to the Office of Human Resources or the Office of the General Counsel.