About the Department:

The University Advancement division is a comprehensive development and alumni relations enterprise with a staff complement of approximately 135 FTE. Functional units within Advancement include development/fundraising, alumni relations, stewardship and donor relations, advancement communications, special events, gift processing, research, prospect management, gift planning, corporate and foundation relations, information systems and management, and infrastructure services.

Advancement's mission is to build strong, lifelong relationships with George Mason University's constituents, match donors' interests with the university's needs and priorities, and secure the financial resources necessary for Mason to achieve excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship.

The mission of the College of Education and Human Development's Office of Development and Alumni Relations is to raise private philanthropic funds in support of students, faculty, departments, programs, and centers within the College. We also explicitly support the efforts of the advancement offices of other colleges and the University as a whole. This is accomplished by building relationships with alumni, friends, parents and students and by soliciting donations, major gifts, planned gifts, and corporate and foundation support. Alumni relations are cultivated and maintained through outreach efforts.

About the Position:

The Director of Development is a senior fundraising officer for the College. The position’s primary responsibilities include working closely with the Dean, school directors, volunteer/advisory boards, faculty, and senior staff members to implement fundraising priorities and strategies as established by the Senior Director of Advancement. The position also partners with Central Advancement, advancement colleagues, and College colleagues to advance philanthropic giving to key priorities through ongoing annual fundraising, alumni engagement, corporate and foundation relations, and major, principal, and planned giving.

Under the Senior Director of Development, the Director of Development will engage in development activity for the College by undertaking the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects with the potential of making major gifts, those of at least $25,000, and principal gifts, those of $1 million or more to the priorities of the College.

This is a position that heavily focuses on networking and building relationships and is committed to the tracking of measures and metrics to build a pipeline of donors to support the aspirations of the Dean, faculty, and students at the College and the University as a whole.

Responsibilities:

Maintains Personal Portfolio and Supports Comprehensive Fundraising Program:

• Successful execution of a comprehensive fundraising program that appropriately partners with and leverages resources from the central advancement team to accomplish objectives;
• Maintains a personal portfolio of 75-90 prospects and donors for major, planned, and principal level gifts;
• Actively engages each prospect in their portfolio to ensure prospect movement and portfolio penetration annually;
• Identifies corporate and foundation opportunities for support and works with relevant faculty;
• Meets or exceeds the minimum metrics for contacts, visits, solicitations and funds raised as set annually by Central Advancement;
• Responsible for the direct solicitation of gifts and for preparing the Dean, members of advisory boards, faculty and staff and other members of the College and/or University to make solicitations;
• Meets or exceeds all metrics and expectations set by Central Advancement;
• Travels as necessary for donor outreach and cultivation;
• Works with offices across campus to coordinate related activities that further the University’s mission and achieve fundraising goals;
• Finds new and creative ways to engage donors that will enrich the donor experience and add value to the academic life of the University;
• Works with staff to engage all alumni to advance the percentage of active involvement and increase alumni donations;
• Engages a wide range of colleagues, alumni, donors, prior faculty and staff, and individuals who might be able to help in pursuing/winning major gifts;
• Seeks the assistance of a wide range of people in identifying prospects who might make major gifts in the future;
• Assists with planning and implementation of school efforts to raise individual, corporate and foundation funds;
• Regularly updates supervisor as to any fundraising and relationship-building activities taking place in the school; and
• Although this position does not have responsibility for cultivating and obtaining gifts of under $5,000, the position helps, proactively and in any way possible, team members in the school who are responsible for securing these annual and leadership annual gifts.

Supports College-level Advancement Events and Programs:

• Supports cultivation, stewardship, and alumni engagement opportunities including attendance;
• Coordinates fundraising with other departments and utilizes services as appropriate;
• Works closely with Central Advancement services including, but not limited to, Planned Giving, Annual Giving, Parents and Family Philanthropy, University Priorities, Alumni Relations, Communications, Systems, Operations, Donor Relations, Gifts and Records, etc.; and
• Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Demonstrated record of successful major gift solicitations and experience designing and executing donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies;
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and meeting continuous deadlines;
• Demonstrated understanding of soliciting and closing blended gifts;
• Demonstrated success in securing support from foundations and corporations;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and experience with documenting appropriate information in a donor management database system;
• Excellent research, writing, and interpersonal communication skills;
• Creative approach to involve and solicit major donor prospects and possess the ability to motivate;
• Ability to synthesize complex and technical information for use in compelling proposals;
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends; and
• Must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator’s license that meets all of GMU’s requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason’s Vehicle Use Policy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/. The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the driver’s licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all candidates selected with employment contingent upon a favorable review.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Typically a minimum of seven years’ experience in major gifts fundraising, preferably in higher education;
• Demonstrated success in closing gifts at $50,000 or more;
• Familiarity with CRM fundraising software;
• Demonstrate sound judgment necessary for interacting with donors, prospects, trustees, faculty and staff; and
• Possess understanding and the ability to articulate, the accomplishments and goals of a complex organization.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Director of Development at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume.

Posting Open Date:  November 21, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  January 10, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes