Job Description:
DIVISION: Advancement
DEPARTMENT: Development
POSITION OBJECTIVE: Reporting to the Executive Director of Development (EDD), the Director of Development will be a member of a high-achieving, goal-oriented major and principal gifts team that is part of a successful and collaborative Advancement division. The DOD will focus on raising major gifts (five to six-figure) for academic programs and other university priorities as part of its comprehensive campaign. The DOD will carry a primary portfolio of alumni from the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies and an additional select portfolio of alumni with strong giving potential drawn from the following schools: Charles F. Dolan School of Business, John Charles Meditz College of Arts & Sciences, and School of Engineering and Computing, and will serve as the liaison to the Egan School of Nursing. In this role, the DOD will work closely with the Dean of Egan as well as its advisory board, to maximize support for Egan. The Director will work with the EDD, and Dean to develop fundraising case statements for Egan priorities, identify prospects from the alumni and other constituencies, develop the advisory board, and provide guidance to the Dean on prospect fundraising strategies. In addition, the Director of Development for Egan will collaborate with fellow Directors of Development to support additional institutional fundraising priorities.
In addition to raising major gifts, the DOD will use planned giving vehicles, such as bequests, in their solicitations, ask for and close gifts to Fairfield's annual fund and the Fairfield Awards Dinner, and focus efforts to maximize alumni participation, as well as support from all prospects in portfolio.
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION: A Bachelor's degree in a related field is required. A Master's Degree is preferred.
EXPERIENCE: Minimum five years fundraising experience, with demonstrated experience in identifying, cultivating, soliciting and securing individual major gifts at five to six-figure level. Experience working with and maximizing involvement of volunteer boards. Higher education experience strongly preferred. Experience in securing capital, endowment and planned gifts.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL NEEDED: Strong verbal and written communication skills; excellent proposal writing skills. Strong ability to understand complicated case statements and articulate the need for support for campaign priorities to prospective donors. Excellent listening skills are required, as well as the ability to retain and share information verbally as well as in writing. Ability to exercise appropriate, mature judgment and work collaboratively as part of the University Advancement team, as well as independently and responsibly. Ability to think strategically and utilize effective time management skills. Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of the field of higher education is necessary. Strong desire to excel and exceed goals, and a strong passion for fundraising. Keen attention to detail. Ability to travel regionally and nationally. Flexibility with weekend and evening hours for University Advancement special events, dinners, and University related activities.
UNUSUAL WORK CONDITIONS: Ability to travel to geographic areas including the Tri-State Area, Boston, DC area, Texas, Illinois, Florida and California. Some weekend and evening responsibilities required.
SUPERVISION OF PERSONNEL: Administrative Assistant (shared with other DODs)
REPORTS TO: Executive Director of Development
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Designs and executes comprehensive development plan in support of the identification, cultivation and solicitation of prospects for securing major gifts (five and six-figure/pledges or outright) for Egan School and support additional academic and institutional fundraising priorities.
This includes:
Managing a portfolio of approximately 150 prospects, which will include prospects identified by DOD;
Maintaining extensive personal contact with prospects to develop strong relationships and to help identify areas of interest and opportunities for engagement;
Partnering and working collaboratively with other University Advancement staff members, to maximize philanthropic support for priority areas and in support of other shared Divisional goals;
Designing and executing prospect strategies which will result in meeting University campaign goals;
Soliciting and closing major gifts, as well as planned gifts, annual gifts and Fairfield Awards Dinner gifts.
Achieves agreed upon annual fundraising goals and other SMART goals, including:
commitments and cash,
portfolio alumni participation rate,
annual fund,
planned giving,
Other goals as appropriate
Achieves agreed upon annual visit goal (160 with portfolio of 150 or more prospects) with major gift prospects within the fiscal year and meeting other moves management metrics, such as monthly contacts with all prospects;
Works closely with the dean of the Egan School of Nursing as the liaison to Egan on fundraising strategies, prospect visits and advisory board activities.
Work with Dean on viable funding opportunities and prospect strategies
Conduct cultivation and solicitations visits with the Dean. Prepare materials for the meeting and as follow up.
Identify new prospects from the Fairfield community and beyond, by working with UA's Research and other departments, as well as with the Dean/faculty members of Egan. Also, conduct research on community philanthropists who may be interested in Fairfield.
Work with the Dean and advisory board chair to identify prospective board members, assist with meeting agendas and develop meaningful ways for members to engage on the boards.
Actively works with the EDD, Vice President of University Advancement, and fellow DODs deans, and faculty in all aspects of implementing development plan, including identification of new prospects, coordination of fundraising strategies, and completion of prospect cultivation, solicitation and closure visits.
Prepares briefings and other supporting background materials for University officials, and staffs University officials including the President, deans, faculty, and volunteers, on cultivation, solicitation and stewardship visits. Prepare all meeting follow up letters, materials and proposals.
Designs and executes stewardship strategies for donors of major and leadership gifts in conjunction with the EDD and Director of Constituent Relations.
Responsible for accurate inputting of records pertaining to visits, contacts and solicitations and update on all relevant donor/ information in Raiser's Edge. Prepares monthly/periodic progress reports.
Attends departmental and divisional staff meetings as requested.
Acts as a responsible and professional public representative of the University at all times and at both academic and non-academic University events.
Works to continually educate oneself on developments in the areas of advancement, and higher education.
Participates in the growth and development of the department. This involves:
promoting an image of efficiency and courtesy throughout the university community and consistent with the department's mission.
Promotes safe and secure working conditions. This involves:
promoting the proper utilization of equipment and materials;
notifying supervisor immediately of any unsafe working conditions.
Performs other duties as required and as departmental needs dictate.
Duties may change and/or be added at any time.
*Disclaimer
The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
Category:
Advancement - Admin
Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.
*Disclaimer
The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.
Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any @type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
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