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Assoc. Development Officer

Knox College


Job Location:

Galesburg, IL - USA

Yearly Salary: $ 59000 - 64000
Posted: 2 August 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 10 November 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Purpose:

The Associate Development Officer is responsible for developing and sustaining donor relationships on behalf of Knox by communicating the Colleges 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 $1500$25000 range. Working closely with Advancement team members the Associate Development Officer learns Knoxs approach to donor development while directly contributing to the pipeline that feeds the Colleges 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 Colleges Advancement division supports the Colleges 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 $1500$25000 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 12 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 drivers 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 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 Colleges 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:
Email:

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 Educations Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights or both. Individuals may also contact the U.S. Department of Educations 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:
Email:

Inquiries regarding the Colleges 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:
Email:

Employees requesting accommodations may contact:

Human Resources
52 W South St. Alumni Hall Suite 100 Campus Box K-200
Galesburg IL 61401
Phone: or
Email:

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:
Email:

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.


Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority


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Knox College is a nationally ranked liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, devoted to providing a personalized education in a diverse and vibrant community.

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