General Summary of Position:
This being a promotional opportunity, only current UML Employees with the same Bargaining unit are eligible to apply for this position.
The Senior Director of Development for the College of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences plays a key role in advancing the philanthropic mission of the College of Fine Arts Humanities and Social Sciences at UMass Lowell. The Director serves as a key member of the University Advancement team, working under the direction of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Development, and leads efforts to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors capable of making major and leadership-level gifts. In close collaboration with the Dean, the Director will manage a portfolio of approximately 100+ prospects and develop personalized strategies to align donor interests with the college’s top priorities.
This position will represent all departments of the college, associated centers and institutes, as well as University Libraries. The Director will be responsible for achieving a personal fundraising goal of more than $1M+ annually and will be expected to conduct at least 144 meaningful donor meetings per year. This role contributes to the broader goals of the university’s advancement efforts and supports strategic initiatives that elevate education, research, and student success.
Key Responsibilities:
FAHSS and Library Fundraising:
- Work closely with the academic dean of the college, college leadership, and department chairs to develop fundraising priorities, engage key major and principal gift prospects and lead projects that fulfill the fundraising priorities of the college.
- Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 prospects capable of making a 5-7 figure gifts to the university. Develop and execute best practice fundraising strategies and long-range plans for the successful identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of the portfolio.
- Conduct 10-12 prospect meetings per month for the purpose of identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of current and prospective donors whose interest and financial capacity have the greatest likelihood of meeting college and university fundraising goals.
- Be conversant in planned giving opportunities and engage donors in conversations about planned giving.
- Provide leadership and development support for University Libraries by serving as the lead fundraising officer for cross campus initiatives that advance student success and engagement, information access, collections and archives, and research support.
- Maintain a timely record of donor engagement in CRM and other administrative tasks related to expenses, travel, etc.
Advancement Partnerships:
- Collaborate closely with colleagues across Advancement (Alumni Relations, Advancement Services, Donor Relations, and Advancement Communications) to coordinate outreach, events, and donor strategies.
- Actively participate in annual giving initiatives, including the solicitation of Chancellor’s Leadership Society donors ($1,000+ annually), key annual campaigns, and the university’s Days of Giving.
- Contribute to a culture of collaboration by sharing relevant information, offering assistance when needed, and supporting shared goals across the division.
University Fundraising:
- Be fluent in the “menu” of engagement and philanthropic opportunities across the university. Advance key cross-campus fundraising priorities, including the Graduate School, Honors College, and Athletics.
- Serve as the Advancement lead to the university collections committee evaluating polices, procedures, and acceptances of collections and artifacts.
- Serve as a strategic partner in corporate and foundation giving by supporting the development and execution of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies in collaboration with the Senior Director of Corporate Engagement and the Executive Director of Advancement Operations and Strategic Initiatives, ensuring efforts are aligned with both college-level and university-wide priorities.
Campus Partnerships:
- Build effective partnerships with colleagues across the University by freely sharing appropriate information and providing assistance when needed.
- Ensure optimum service to all internal and external partners in response to all requests for service and information.
- Promote a collaborative and inclusive campus culture by maintaining a welcoming environment for individuals of all backgrounds and roles.
Other related duties as assigned by the Associate Vice Chancellor.
Minimum Qualifications (Required):
- Baccalaureate or higher Degree
- Minimum of 7 years experience in sales, recruiting, fundraising, marketing or transferable skills, included experience also must include a minimum of 3–5 years of experience serving in a Director of Development role at a college or university.
- Enthusiasm and willingness to make direct requests for donations.
- Demonstrated knowledge of development practices and principles and a track record of success in managing major gift prospects or customers, as well as, in closing gifts in at least the five and six-figure range.
Additional Considerations:
- High degree of grit and resilience with a positive “can do” attitude.
- Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills across mediums, including video conferencing.
- Proficiency with computers and data management.
- Strong collaboration and organizational skills, as well as the ability to prioritize effectively.
- Willingness and strong ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
- Able to handle confidential material responsibly and interact professionally with a wide spectrum of individuals.
- Experience in higher education is preferred.
- Attendance at Advancement events which includes some nights and weekends. Frequent regional travel and some national travel expected.
- Direct contact with high-level donors and university leaders. High level of attention to detail in all communication.
- Flexibility to work environment. Ability to manage program and provide benefits accordingly.
- She/he will be comfortable working with a diverse group of constituents and the level of ambiguity that comes from a growing environment.
- This position must have excellent customer relations skills in order to interact with staff, alumni and leadership donors.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
This being a promotional opportunity, only current UML Employees with the same Bargaining unit are eligible to apply for this position.
This position is full-time, benefited and in the SEIU professional union in grade P23. Anticipated salary based on qualifications within range. Minimum $114,152, 25th quartile: $131,275 and midpoint of $148,398.
Please include a resume and cover letter with your application. Names and contact information of three references will be required during the application process.
