College: SOWELA

Department: Institutional Advancement

Type of Appointment: Unclassified - Administrative/Staff

Salary: Start of $90,000, offer based on education and experience

Duties and Responsibilities: Design, implement, and manage a comprehensive proactive development plan focused on expanding and enhancing the colleges and foundation’s relationships, by directing and coordinating activities related to obtaining college and foundation monetary support.

· Lead efforts in brand marketing, public relations, strategic communications, and strategic initiatives of the college and the college’s foundation.

· Serve as the Liaison to the SOWELA Foundation Board of Directors and Advisory Panel members, and an engaged member of the Chancellor’s Executive Leadership Team.

· Operate as the SOWELA Foundation point person for Louisiana Board of Regents Support Fund activities to include match fund proposals, reporting, and committee service.

· Manage SOWELA Foundation Board of Director’s activities to include meetings, membership, communication, and advocacy.

· Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective and current donors to encourage the contribution of non-state resources (funds, equipment, and in-kind services) to the SOWELA Foundation and/or the college.

· Develop campaigns and events to raise funds for the SOWELA Foundation, oversee the distribution of scholarships and grants, and evaluate the effectiveness of past fundraising programs, events, and activities.

· Develop opportunities such as education, trainings, tours, and luncheons to enhance business, industry, and community leaders’ exposure to SOWELA.

· Work closely with Alumni, and other college representatives to create opportunities to build awareness among college and foundation constituencies in order to build and significantly expand positive fund-raising relationships.

· Increase support and provide leadership representation by attending community events, participating in civic organizations, and serving on appropriate committees within SOWELA, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS), and the community.

· Maintain the constituent management reporting system to track funds received by the SOWELA Foundation and work closely with the Business Office to ensure accounting standards and reporting needs are met.

· Administer grant application processes and reporting, working in collaboration with the Grant Writer and Coordinator of Grant Initiatives.

· Oversee and create internal and external communication materials to promote SOWELA, and its foundation, programs, events, and activities, including proposals, presentations, brochures, flyers, and other materials as appropriate.

· Assist and engage with college events such as Commencement, student services offerings, ribbon cuttings/ groundbreakings, and other initiatives.

· Recruit and directly manage the Institutional Advancement employees and student workers, and indirectly manage project teams, employee volunteers, and community volunteers.

· Initiate personnel actions such as hiring, coaching, developing, evaluating, and disciplining. Prepare work schedules; assign or delegate responsibilities. Monitor payroll and timesheets. Set deadlines to ensure completion of the division’s functions.

· Responsible for planning, controlling, communicating, and implementing procedures and processes for the overall efficient operations of the Institutional Affairs division.

· Other duties as assigned.

Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, public relations, communication, or related field.

Required Experience: Ten (10) years of combined experience in marketing, public relations, communication, and fundraising, in progressively responsible positions, preferably in the higher education setting.

Three (3) years supervisory experience, leading direct reports, and non-direct reports.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of fundraising best practices.
Ability to implement and promote special events.
Ability to work with and build an active alumni group.
Skills in civic involvement/engagement, and team building and project management.
Advanced knowledge in utilizing the Internet and various social media as a communication tool.
Ability to safeguard sensitive and confidential information from intentional or unintentional disclosure.
Ability to present a positive image for the college, maintain professional demeanor, provide effective customer service, and make good decisions.
Skills in recruiting, training, and managing employees, teams, and volunteers.
Ability to make independent decisions that demonstrate good judgment.
Leadership and management skills sufficient to lead a staff, potentially operating on a rotating schedule in multiple locations.

Required Licenses or Certifications: 

Preferred Education: 

Preferred Experience: Two (2) years of project management experience and/or Project Management certification preferred.
Media relations and donor relations experience preferred.
University/College Foundation Boards experience preferred.
Blackbaud Non-Profit Solutions / Raiser’s Edge Fundraising Software experience preferred.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

Benefits: As a member of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, SOWELA has an attractive benefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Benefits offered include retirement, multiple medical insurance options, supplemental insurances (dental, term life, disability, accident, vision, etc.), Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some child care and medical expenses), holidays (14 per year, typically includes longer break at Christmas), generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits and Employee Assistance Program. Specific benefits depend on job category, percent effort and length of employment.

Passing pre-employment criminal background screen is required as a condition of employment. SOWELA is an equal opportunity/equal access employer. SOWELA is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports improved employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.