Position Title: Discovery Officer

Department: University Advancement

Reports to (Title): Director of Constituent Engagement & Stewardship

# Direct Reports: 0

Parameters: FT PT; # months if not 12

Schedule/Hours (Hourly positions):

Primary Location: MC Ballston Both

Flex Work (Hybrid) Eligible: Yes No

Remote Eligible (100% off campus): Yes No

This position description is illustrative and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents in this role.

POSITION SUMMARY: This role focuses on qualifying, managing, and advancing donor relationships through proactive outreach, portfolio management, and data-driven fundraising strategies. The position supports annual fund efforts by conducting donor discovery, securing gifts through targeted multi-channel outreach, and strengthening stewardship and retention, while maintaining accurate CRM records and tracking performance metrics. It also plays a key role in leveraging data, technology, and emerging tools such as analytics and AI to improve donor segmentation, pipeline movement, and operational efficiency, working closely with advancement colleagues and external vendors to support scalable, ethical, and effective fundraising initiatives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Donor Qualification and Portfolio Management

• Conduct proactive outreach to prospective donors to qualify and disqualify individuals based on giving capacity, affinity, and readiness.

• Document and evaluate discovery conversations to inform next steps, including referral, cultivation, solicitation, or removal from pipeline.

• Manage a portfolio of annual fund and leadership annual giving prospects, with responsibility for qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

• Partner with advancement colleagues to move qualified prospects into appropriate gift officer portfolios when warranted.

Annual Fundraising

• Execute targeted outreach strategies (calls, emails, virtual meetings) to secure annual fund gifts and increase donor participation.

• Support annual giving campaigns across digital, direct mail, and multi-channel efforts.

• Assist with stewardship and retention efforts to strengthen long-term donor relationships.

Data Strategy, Systems, and Operations

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records, including detailed contact reports, qualification outcomes, and engagement history.

• Leverage data to segment donors, prioritize outreach, and inform engagement strategies.

• Track and report on key performance metrics, including qualification rates, donor movement, and portfolio activity.

• Support data hygiene efforts, including imports, standardization, and ongoing record maintenance.

• Serve as a liaison with external vendors (e.g., data services, AI consultants, telefunding partners) to support donor outreach and analytics initiatives.

• Monitor vendor performance and ensure alignment with internal fundraising goals.

• Assist in preparing data and documentation for AI-driven prospecting, analytics, and process automation.

• Document fundraising workflows and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, scalability, and data integrity.

• Research and apply emerging trends in data usage and technology to strengthen donor qualification and engagement strategies.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/OTHER DUTIES AND ASSIGNMENTS:

• Research and apply emerging trends in data usage and technology to strengthen donor qualification and engagement strategies.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS: Employees are expected to accomplish assigned duties in an efficient, effective and competent manner, and to strive for improvement and excellence in all work performed. Employees must understand the mission and demonstrate the core values of the University. Additionally, demonstrate the ability to work with diverse personalities, and a service-oriented demeanor with students, fellow employees, and the public. Employees are expected to follow and abide by all University policies, rules, regulations, and guidelines.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills.

• Strong attention to detail and data accuracy.

• Comfort working with CRM systems (e.g., Raiser's Edge, Salesforce NPSP, or similar).

• Interest in technology and emerging tools in philanthropy (AI, predictive analytics, etc.).

• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

• Team-oriented mindset with eagerness to learn and grow in advancement work

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Exposure to data analysis, business intelligence tools, or CRM reporting.

• Experience in nonprofit fundraising, communications, or donor relations.

• Familiarity with privacy and ethical standards in data and AI us

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of and ability to follow university policies and procedures.

• Ability to demonstrate exceptional service in alignment with Serve with Purpose; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the campus community.

• Microsoft Office 365 includes proficient skills in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint.

• Workday proficiency related to the role

SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds.

• May need to work outside of normal business hours in support of the department

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Office setting

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to communicate; sedentary/sit or stand for extended periods of time; use of office equipment; computer.

Marymount University is an equal opportunity employer. Marymount University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status or any other protected bases under applicable federal and local laws and regulations in any of its programs or its activities, including employment and admission. The university also expressly prohibits any form of sex discrimination and sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, dating and domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation and stalking in any of its programs or activities, including employment and admission. For more information, please visit: />

This role focuses on qualifying, managing, and advancing donor relationships through proactive outreach, portfolio management, and data-driven fundraising strategies. The position supports annual fund efforts by conducting donor discovery, securing gifts through targeted multi-channel outreach, and strengthening stewardship and retention, while maintaining accurate CRM records and tracking performance metrics. It also plays a key role in leveraging data, technology, and emerging tools such as analytics and AI to improve donor segmentation, pipeline movement, and operational efficiency, working closely with advancement colleagues and external vendors to support scalable, ethical, and effective fundraising initiatives. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. Donor Qualification and Portfolio Management. Conduct proactive outreach to prospective donors to qualify and disqualify individuals based on giving capacity, affinity, and readiness. Document and evaluate discovery conversations to inform next steps, including referral, cultivation, solicitation, or removal from pipeline. Manage a portfolio of annual fund and leadership annual giving prospects, with responsibility for qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Partner with advancement colleagues to move qualified prospects into appropriate gift officer portfolios when warranted. Annual Fundraising. Execute targeted outreach strategies (calls, emails, virtual meetings) to secure annual fund gifts and increase donor participation. Support annual giving campaigns across digital, direct mail, and multi-channel efforts. Assist with stewardship and retention efforts to strengthen long-term donor relationships. Data Strategy, Systems, and Operations. Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records, including detailed contact reports, qualification outcomes, and engagement history. Leverage data to segment donors, prioritize outreach, and inform engagement strategies. Track and report on key performance metrics, including qualification rates, donor movement, and portfolio activity. Support data hygiene efforts, including imports, standardization, and ongoing record maintenance. Serve as a liaison with external vendors (e.g., data services, AI consultants, telefunding partners) to support donor outreach and analytics initiatives. Monitor vendor performance and ensure alignment with internal fundraising goals. Assist in preparing data and documentation for AI-driven prospecting, analytics, and process automation. Document fundraising workflows and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, scalability, and data integrity. Research and apply emerging trends in data usage and technology to strengthen donor qualification and engagement strategies. NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/ OTHER DUTIES AND ASSIGNMENTS:Research and apply emerging trends in data usage and technology to strengthen donor qualification and engagement strategies. GENERAL EXPECTATIONS: Employees are expected to accomplish assigned duties in an efficient, effective and competent manner, and to strive for improvement and excellence in all work performed. Employees must understand the mission and demonstrate the core values of the University. Additionally, demonstrate the ability to work with diverse personalities, and a service-oriented demeanor with students, fellow employees, and the public. Employees are expected to follow and abide by all University policies, rules, regulations, and guidelines. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills. Strong attention to detail and data accuracy. Comfort working with CRM systems (e.g., Raiser's Edge, Salesforce NPSP, or similar). Interest in technology and emerging tools in philanthropy (AI, predictive analytics, etc.). Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines. Team-oriented mindset with eagerness to learn and grow in advancement work. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:Exposure to data analysis, business intelligence tools, or CRM reporting. Experience in nonprofit fundraising, communications, or donor relations. Familiarity with privacy and ethical standards in data and AI us KNOWLEDGE/ SKILLS/ ABILITIES:Knowledge of and ability to follow university policies and procedures. Ability to demonstrate exceptional service in alignment with Serve with Purpose; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the campus community. Microsoft Office 365 includes proficient skills in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint. Workday proficiency related to the role. SPECIAL WORKING CONDITIONS Ability to lift up to 20 pounds. May need to work outside of normal business hours in support of the department WORK ENVIRONMENT: Office setting PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to communicate; sedentary/sit or stand for extended periods of time; use of office equipment; computer. Marymount University is an equal opportunity employer. Marymount University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status or any other protected bases under applicable federal and local laws and regulations in any of its programs or its activities, including employment and admission. The university also expressly prohibits any form of sex discrimination and sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, dating and domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation and stalking in any of its programs or activities, including employment and admission. For more information, please visit:

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