The Director of Development is responsible for major gift fundraising for the assigned College/unit including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major and principal gift donors for the college. The emphasis of the position is on the solicitation of gifts of $50,000 or more from individuals, and other revenue sources, including corporations, and foundations.
The Director of Development reports to the Associate Vice President of Development and works closely with assigned College leadership, faculty, and staff.

 

Fundraising (85%)

• Assist the Senior Director of Development or AVP of the assigned College/unit to develop and execute an overall fundraising strategy, establish fundraising priorities, and set fundraising goals.
• Manage a portfolio of 50 to 75 qualified major and principal giving prospects qualified through capacity, inclination, and timing to make a significant gift of $50,000 or more.
• Successfully conduct all stages of the major gift process, which includes the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of identified prospects in the assigned College/unit or in support of University-identified priorities.
• Provide donors and prospects with an exceptional experience moving them to gift closure through thoughtful and meaningful communication and engagement.
• Assist in the development and execution of solicitation plans for all assigned prospects that identify key steps toward moving prospects to a successful solicitation within three years.
• Acquire a high level of knowledge of College and University programs and projects to develop and implement donor cultivation and solicitation strategies effectively and efficiently.
• Develop high-level draft proposals and agreements for named initiatives and recognition opportunities for donors.
• Follow and execute all stated processes and procedures.

College/Unit Partner (15%)

• Serve as a secondary DAR contact and work closely with the assigned college/unit Dean, Department Chairs, faculty, and staff on the development of fundraising strategies and donor engagement activities.
• Assist with the coordination and scheduling of DAR and College/unit monthly fundraising meetings.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for gift officers who are working with prospects in assigned college/unit.
• Work collaboratively with development colleagues who manage College-based donors and prospects with philanthropic interests.
• Assist as needed in the coordination of stewardship reports and activities for prospects with appropriate members of the administration and faculty of the assigned College/unit.
Collegiality
• Demonstrate desired behaviors by partnering effectively with colleagues within DAR to foster a cross-functional team approach to achieve the goals of the assigned College/unit and the University overall.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 

• Bachelors degree and minimum of six years of relevant experience (development, sales, customer relations, etc.), or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven ability to solicit and close philanthropic gifts on the six-figure level, or equivalent experience in a related field such as sales.
• Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to initiate, collaborate, implement, monitor, evaluate, and advance strategic plans that support the activities of the program and contribute to the overall goals and objectives of Advancement and the fundraising enterprise.
• Superior interpersonal skills.
• Ability to successfully interact and collaborate with varied constituencies in a professional manner, exhibiting excellent written and oral communication skills, team-building skills, and demonstrating tact, poise, and diplomacy while working with a wide variety of personalities.
• Ability and comfort in meeting and interacting with individuals of considerable social status and affluence.
• Ability to apply good judgment and proven responsible decision-making skills; tact and discretion are required to deal with highly confidential alumni, parent, student, family, donor, and prospect information.