DESCRIPTION

Reporting to the Senior Director of Development for the School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS), the Director of Development (DOD) will be a frontline fundraiser responsible for successfully executing major gift strategies from identification through stewardship. The DOD will manage an individual portfolio of prospects capable of giving major gifts in excess of $100,000 through the development cycle to reach annual fundraising and donor engagement goals. The DOD will possess a comprehensive understanding of university and academic unit priorities, regularly meeting with prospects and donors (with a focus on face-to-face visits) and with development colleagues and academic leaders. The DOD will collaborate on and execute strategic plans; prepare stewardship materials, leadership briefings and gift proposals; attend and staff events; and/or supervise projects as assigned. The DOD will be able to work successfully in a complex environment collaborating with GPS, Advancement and University partners.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven success as a development officer in a highly sophisticated donor-centered fundraising environment as a direct-line fundraiser with five years or more of experience.

• Expert working knowledge of all aspects of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, procedures, and techniques. Proven experience in the full spectrum of development including: gift policies, solicitations, stewardship, donor recognition and administration.

• Demonstrated success at fundraising by developing and implementing strategic solicitation fundraising plans that incorporate a concise definition of goals, targeted audiences, and strategies in-line with institution and academic goals in higher education and closing gifts ($100,000+) from individuals, corporations and foundations, both local and national.

• Expert written and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies. Expert skills in making persuasive and compelling presentations of goals and objectives for a location in order to secure gifts. Ability to communicate effectively one-on-one or in group settings, taking into account differences in social, cultural, professional and educational backgrounds.

• Expert organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills. Expert project / program management skills, including skills in setting and meeting program / project goals and objectives within budget and time constraints.

• Expert level skills in maintaining confidentiality. Strong sense of ethical conduct that will inspire confidence and motivation with the proven ability to persuade colleagues and donor prospects, while maintaining confidentiality in all matters as they relate to sensitive donor relation issues.

• Proven record of writing proposals for a significant project/gift ($100,000+) directed to individual and foundations/corporations.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement persuasive cultivation ideas and techniques and provide critical analysis, using sound judgment with realistic expectations for prospects and donors.

• Strong written and oral communication skills that demonstrate correct grammar usage, syntax and format, with the ability to make oral presentations and/or interpret various related programs to potential donors and constituents.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public relations to provide direction to special programs for outreach to prospective and existing donors.

• Demonstrated skill in the technique of donor prospect research with the ability to extract the pertinent/critical information from various documents.

• Demonstrated expertise to utilize on-line databases and other software to create, retrieve, and compile up-to-the- minute documents and historical information for reports.

• Demonstrated understanding of the philosophy of quality service and the group process, with proven aptitude for working as part of a team; demonstrated leadership and strategic planning including budget planning.

• Proven administrative ability to provide lead direction to staff and volunteers in accomplishing established goals and objectives and maintain office activities with respect to established procedures and guidelines.

• Demonstrated competency and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Demonstrated understanding of the importance of ensuring an equitable, inclusive and diverse working environment, with the ability to work as a part of a diverse and collaborative team.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Job offer is contingent on clear Background Check.

Must have access to reliable transportation.

Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.