DESCRIPTION

Directors of Development in University Development represent fundraising priorities for UC San Diego’s General Campus and Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Representing UC San Diego first, Directors of Development are assigned academic areas of focus.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, Social Sciences, the Director of Development will be a major gift front-line fundraiser, responsible for leading major gift strategies from identification through stewardship. Directors of Development will manage an individual portfolio of prospects capable of giving gifts in excess of $100,000. Directors are responsible for having a comprehensive understanding of university priorities, regularly meeting with prospects and donors (with a focus on face-to-face visits), regularly meeting with development colleagues and academic leaders, preparing briefing materials and gift proposals, attending events and staffing and/or supervising projects as assigned.

This position’s initial focus will be on campus initiatives for Social Sciences. Successful candidates will approach their role with a sense of donor-centeredness, collaboration and transparency. They will have strong communications skills, and be willing to serve as role models to other professional and support staff. High integrity, strong self-motivation, innovation, flexibility and passion are all valued qualities on the University Development team. Additionally, successful candidates will have a proven ability to build long-term relationships while also consistently meeting fundraising goals. As our program is complex and in a phase of rapid innovation, the ability to adapt to quickly changing environments is key.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are core values at UC San Diego and Advancement is committed to a continuous process of learning and updating practices to support systemic evolution toward equity, diversity, and inclusion for our team and constituents. We foster the UC San Diego Principles of Community by encouraging and developing a collaborative and positive environment among colleagues. UC San Diego provides resources and services so employees can develop a deeper connection to our diverse campus community. Explore more at UC San Diego Staff Associations network and Campus Community Centers.

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.

• 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.

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

• 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.

• Knowledge of principles and practices of developing and utilizing volunteer leadership and organizing and maintaining volunteer support organizations.

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

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

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Job offer is contingent on clear Background Check.
• Must have access to reliable transportation.
• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.