Advancement Officer

Role Overview

The Advancement Officer is a key contributor to Ajman University’s fundraising efforts, responsible for enhancing donor and sponsor relationships and supporting the university’s advancement strategy. Reporting directly to the Director of Advancement and collaborating with the Executive Director of Advancement & Alumni Affairs, this role focuses on prospect research, proposal development, and managing portfolios of mid-level donors and sponsors. The officer will also support stewardship activities, corporate sponsorship engagements, fundraising campaigns, and events to maximize donor involvement in alignment with AU’s institutional goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, engage, and secure financial contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations to support university initiatives.
• Develop and maintain strong donor relationships through active engagement, solicitation, and stewardship efforts.
• Effectively communicate fundraising opportunities by demonstrating the impact of donor support.
• Conduct detailed prospect research to assess potential donor capacity, interests, and priorities.
• Utilize donor databases and analytical tools to manage and analyze donor information for targeted outreach.
• Create customized fundraising proposals and sponsorship packages, along with stewardship materials.
• Coordinate fundraising campaigns and events such as galas and receptions to elevate engagement and sponsorship results.
• Prepare prompt acknowledgements, impact reports, and stewardship communications to recognize donors and showcase gift outcomes.
• Maintain ongoing communication with donors to nurture relationships and ensure timely completion of pledges.
• Track fundraising progress, follow up on commitments, and generate accurate reports.
• Collaborate across university colleges to identify and advance fundraising opportunities.
• Ensure adherence to university policies, UAE regulations, and ethical fundraising standards.
• Keep comprehensive and updated records of donor interactions and contributions within AU’s CRM system.
• Fulfill additional duties assigned to support successful advancement initiatives and fundraising objectives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, or a related discipline.
• 3 to 5 years of relevant experience in fundraising, sales, or business development, preferably in education or nonprofit sectors.
• Documented success in cultivating and securing donations or sponsorships from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Experience managing fundraising campaigns and organizing donor-focused events.
• Proficiency in Arabic and English, both written and spoken, to engage diverse stakeholder groups effectively.
• Knowledge of UAE philanthropic trends, corporate giving practices, and higher education fundraising is desirable.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal communication and relationship-building skills, capable of influencing and professionally representing Ajman University.
• Demonstrated networking abilities with a proven record in donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Experience with CRM or fundraising software for donor management, segmentation, and performance tracking.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize multiple campaigns, events, and deadlines efficiently.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and capable of working both independently and collaboratively.
• Commitment to ethical fundraising aligned with the university’s mission and values.

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based work environment.
• Requires flexible working hours occasionally including evenings, weekends, and holidays for alumni and special events.
• Possible on-call duties for urgent matters or emergencies.

Reporting Structure

Reports to: Director of Advancement

No supervisory responsibilities.