Location: Newport, RI
Category: Education
Job Type: Full-time
Posted On: Tue Aug 18 2026
Job Description:
This position is eligible for up to one day remote work per week.
JOB SUMMARY:
It is an exciting time in Salve Regina University's distinguished history. As we near the conclusion of Our Mission. Our Moment, the largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in the University's history, we are already seeing its transformational impact. The campaign has differentiated Salve in higher education by fueling academic innovation, elevating the student experience, and positioning the University for long-term success.
Yet our work is not done. Since joining the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) in 2023 and our recent addition to the Conference of New England (CNE) for hockey, Salve's athletic programs have reached new heights. Complementing this success, the University has also relaunched a vibrant recreational sports program that now engages hundreds of students in club, intramural, and fitness offerings. To sustain and accelerate this momentum, Salve Regina is seeking a Development Officer with a primary focus on deepening philanthropic support for Athletics and Recreational Sports. This leader will secure resources for sport-specific initiatives and for the athletic and recreational infrastructure? including capital enhancements and program support that directly impact student-athlete success and campus-wide wellness.
The ideal candidate brings an entrepreneurial mindset and thrives in a multifaceted role as an integral member of Salve's Advancement team. They will educate constituents on leadership's vision and funding priorities, inspire impactful philanthropic support, and advance the University's Mercy mission. For the right professional, this role offers meaningful growth and advancement opportunities within the Salve team.
BASIC FUNCTION:
The Development Officer serves as Salve Regina University's front-line gifts officer for Athletics and Recreational Sports, driving the identification, qualification, cultivation, and solicitation of prospective donors who can transform student-athlete success and campus-wide wellness. This role builds and manages a dynamic portfolio of alumni athletes, parents, friends, and community partners whose inspired investments will strengthen athletic programs, recreational offerings, and the infrastructure that supports them.
Working in close partnership with the Senior Director of Development, the Vice President for Advancement, the Athletic Director, and coaching staff, the Development Officer secures philanthropic support that advances Salve's competitive edge following its 2023 entry into the NEWMAC and 2026 entry into the CNE for hockey. The officer fosters a culture of philanthropy across the university community, engaging alumni, parents, and friends through meaningful experiences at athletic competitions, regional and national travel for donor visits, and strategic engagement events that inspire lasting support.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Foster a collaborative and empowering work environment rooted in Salve Regina University's Mercy mission: demonstrate empathic leadership through the positive engagement of Advancement team members, campus partners, and volunteers.
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Manage a portfolio of 150+ alumni, parent, and friend prospects. Conduct an average of 125-135 visits annually. Meet revenue and participation targets set with the Senior Director of Development.
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Partner with Advancement, University, and Athletics leadership, as well as coaching staff to clearly articulate and align funding goals and opportunities.
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Develop strategies that will increase engagement and investment in athletics. Support the launching of a "Captain's Club" to engage former team captains with each other, our student athletes, and the boarder university.
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Recruit alumni and parent volunteers from specific Athletics programs as needed who can make leadership gifts, make introductions to peers, and volunteer with communicating (email, social, phone, etc.) to alumni and parents of the program.
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Collaborate with the Alumni Engagement Team in support of fundraising initiatives such as Seahawks Take Flight, Day of Giving, and help at all levels on Reunion Weekend and Fall Parents & Alumni Weekend.
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Provide regular written contact reports to summarize meetings and accurately input constituent activity into Raiser's Edge NXT (CRM database).
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Monitor and analyze fundraising data to assess the effectiveness of solicitation strategies. Provide regular reports to university leadership on fundraising progress, donor engagement metrics, and areas for improvement.
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Leverage university events, including athletic competitions, community events, and lectures, to create opportunities to generate donor leads.
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Annually meet individual goals and metrics for visits, solicitations, and dollars raised meeting overall Advancement goals as part of the Advancement Team.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
As assigned by the Senior Director of Development and Vice President of University Advancement.
LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT:
Valid driver's license is required.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
- The incumbent is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Flexible work hours and hybrid work options are available.
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Willingness to travel as a representative of the university.
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Requires occasional nights and weekends work.
Job Requirements:
Required:
- Hold a Bachelor's degree and a minimum of three years' experience in fundraising (or comparable experience in a university or similar organization), or equivalent professional experience in sales, recruitment, marketing, business development, or public relations.
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Thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment by demonstrating deft interpersonal skills, collaborative instincts, high adaptability, creativity, intellectual curiosity, and a service mindset aligned with advancing the University's mission.
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Exhibit a strong work ethic marked by commitment, follow-through, and a deep dedication to Salve Regina's mission and values.
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Possess exceptional interpersonal, organizational, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels of the University and with all external constituents.
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Demonstrate the ability to work successfully with ethnically, culturally, and socially diverse students, staff, faculty, and other constituencies.
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Maintain willingness to travel regularly and participate in on- and off-campus events and activities.
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Embrace an environment that emphasizes measurable objectives, including mutually agreed-upon individual goals and team-wide goals for annual, major, and planned gifts.
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Demonstrate adept technology skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
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Salve Regina alumni are strongly encouraged to apply.
Preferred:
- Hold five years of fundraising experience in a university setting or direct experience in athletic fundraising.
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Possess experience with college sports as a former student-athlete or through professional experience in collegiate athletics setting.
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Demonstrate experience with Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT or a comparable CRM platform.
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Maintain familiarity with Salve's Mercy Mission and/or hold status as a Salve Regina University alumnus/a.
Additional Information:
Salve Regina University offers generous benefits to eligible employees including (waiting periods apply):
- health, dental and vision coverage available on the first of the month following date of hire
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403(b) retirement plan through TIAA with employee and employer contributions as well as access to advising services
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long-term disability coverage
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employer-paid life and AD&D insurance
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up to 100% free tuition at Salve for eligible employees and qualified dependents
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robust wellness program and free access to the on-campus Fitness Center
Other available benefits include:
- supplemental life insurance for employees and dependents
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supplemental insurance coverage through Aflac
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Tuition Exchange scholarship program. Application available for qualified dependents of eligible employees working full-time
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discounted pet insurance through ASPCA
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student loan forgiveness assistance program (SAVI)
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employee Assistance Program through Health Advocate
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flexible spending health and dependent care accounts
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health savings accounts
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529 collegebound saver program
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paid parental leave and adoption assistance
For more detailed information on Salve's benefits, visit https://salve.edu/human-resources/benefits.
Salve Regina University strives to cultivate belonging values through diversity, equity inclusion in order to foster a welcoming culture for our staff, faculty and students, as well as the wider community. Salve Regina University embraces all people with grace. No matter the path traveled to get here, the University acknowledges that many identities will intersect. Salve Regina belongs to all in its community.
