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Telefund Caller Job Description

Thank you for your interest in the Emory University Telefund.  The Telefund is one of the most exciting places to work on campus.  This job will provide you with valuable marketing and public relations experience that will enhance your resume and increase your chances of landing a great job upon graduation. 

Through the Telefund, we personally contact thousands of alumni, parents and friends of Emory each year.  Our purpose is twofold.  First, we want to build and strengthen the relationship between our alumni, parents and friends and our University.  Second, we talk to them about the importance of supporting Emory financially so that we can continue to be a national leader in higher education.

The Telefund is a critical element in Emory’s annual operating and scholarship budgets.  The University relies on unrestricted annual donations to provide the flexibility needed to respond quickly to matters of greatest need – for example, the importance of providing scholarship support to ensure the brightest students can attend Emory regardless of their financial background.

Direct Reports

This position reports to the Associate Director and Assistant Director of the Telefund as well as the Telefund Student Supervisors. 

Specific Duties and Expectations:

  • Use CampusCall calling software to call alumni, parents and friends to raise funds in support of the University’s Annual Fund. 
  • Be an ambassador and convey a positive impression of Emory.
  • Speak confidently about Emory, the Annual Fund and Telefund to assigned prospects.
  • Make a clear, strong case for financial support during every call in an effort to increase both giving and participation.
  • Educate alumni, parents and friends about Emory’s financial needs and motivate them to want to support the goals of the Annual Fund.
  • Share what’s going on at Emory today with the people you’ll be contacting on the phone (inform them of campus improvements, events, happenings and student life).
  • Exhibit enthusiasm in support of Emory and leave all prospects (regardless of their giving status) with a good feeling about Emory.
  • Keep up with issues that could potentially affect the success of the Telefund.
  • Meet minimum Telefund standards and achieve daily, weekly and monthly goals.
  • Use specific ask amounts as noted in CampusCall or as directed by the Telefund Directors and Student Supervisors.
  • Identify prospects with the potential to make major or planned gifts.
  • Handle each phone call with courtesy, tact and sensitivity.
  • Remain positive and professional and handle objections and difficult conversations with grace and control.
  • Think quickly in responding to any questions and/or concerns our alumni, parents and friends may have.
  • Develop techniques to help deal with objections and improve the structure and style of your calls.
  • Gather updated contact information in an effort to maintain current and accurate prospect records for use University wide.
  • Seek to establish and maintain positive relationships with those you call and ensure that they feel connected to Emory.
  • Perform other Telefund duties as assigned.


Special Skills and Requirements
Telefund employees represent some of the best Emory has to offer.  They must:

  • Have deep respect and appreciation for Emory University and its mission and vision. 
  • Be reliable, have strong integrity and an exemplary work ethic.
  • Be able to fluently and clearly communicate in English (both verbally and in writing).
  • Have strong telephone communication skills and polite phone manners.
  • Be a good listener.
  • Have a friendly, out-going and engaging personality, especially while on the phone.
  • Enjoy talking to and working with a variety of people, but also have the ability to work independently.
  • Be able to ask people for money with confidence.
  • Have a good understanding of gift negotiation techniques.
  • Be flexible and respond well to direction and constructive criticism.
  • Function well in a team environment, with leadership skills being a plus.
  • Have reliable transportation.
  • Be a currently enrolled Emory student.
  • Be able to balance their schoolwork, job hours and extracurricular activities. 


Education and Experience
No experience needed, but you will be required to attend a mandatory comprehensive training program to learn the necessary skills for success.  We will train you, but you must be open to new experiences and willing to learn new skills.  Training includes lectures, discussions, hands-on use of the CampusCall system and role-playing.

Schedule
The Telefund operates during the Fall and Spring terms.  Schedules are created based on your availability.  Each caller chooses 2 calling shifts for their work schedule.  Shifts are 5:15 to 9:00 p.m. (Sunday through Friday), 1:15 to 5:00 p.m. (Sunday and Thursday afternoon), and 9:00 p.m. to midnight (Monday evening).  Callers may work additional sessions but need to sign up for extra shifts ahead of time.

Pay Rate
The Telefund pays new callers $8.50 per hour.  There are opportunities for immediate bonuses and pay raises based on performance and attendance.  Various incentives and prizes are awarded nightly for outstanding performance and/or for achievement of Telefund goals and initiatives. 

The Telefund staff is committed to making the program a success. The Telefund is located right on the Emory campus, offering competitive wages with regular pay raises, daily bonuses, flexible scheduling, time off for holidays and exams, and a comfortable working environment. Unlike most telemarketing firms, we also plan fun events for our staff: weekly pizza nights, theme nights, and parties celebrating the achievement of our goals are among the many events planned regularly. Of course, you also gain the satisfaction of knowing that every dollar you raise goes toward the improvement of your own education.

Location
The Telefund is located at 1599 Clifton Road, across from the CDC and next door to the Emory Inn. The calling room is located on the 1st floor on the Clifton Road side of the building (if you enter the building from Clifton Road, you will be on the 2nd floor).  

Application for Employment

To apply for a job at the Emory Telefund, fill out an online application today at:  http://www.emory.edu/telefundapp

For more information or questions, please contact Denise Adeniyi, Program Development Coordinator at 404.727.5707 or denise.adeniyi@emory.edu.

This is a very challenging but rewarding job and requires great dedication.
Please do not apply unless you feel capable of giving your best efforts.