Position Summary

Under the guidance of the Executive Director of Development, the Director of Development’s primary responsibility is to identify, cultivate, and solicit donors capable of making $50,000+ gifts in support of the College of Natural Sciences.

The Director of Development will manage a portfolio of major gift prospects, and present comprehensive proposals that match the fundraising priorities of the College of Natural Sciences. Examples include, but are not limited to: soliciting gifts to establish endowed chairs, professorships, and research support, scholarships, program support, and facilities.

The Director of Development will work in a dynamic team environment, reporting to the Executive Director of Development and working closely with the Dean and faculty. Through a donor-centric strategy, the Director of Development will collaborate with colleagues on the CNS advancement team and central development partners to ensure we honor donor intent and maximize and celebrate the philanthropic support of our donors.

The Director of Development must be results-oriented with professional characteristics that include leadership, attention to detail, commitment to confidentiality, flexibility, team orientation, and commitment to cultivating long-term relationships.

Required Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university by employment start date
• Minimum of 5 years experience as a development officer, or major gifts officer, in an institution of higher education or other complex non-profit setting
• Minimum of 2 years experience supervising full time professional staff
• Demonstrated success in face-to-face solicitation, cultivation, and closing multiple gifts at $50,000 or more
• Ability to travel in and out of state and work non-standard hours, including early mornings, evenings and weekends
• A demonstrated ability to engage and effectively communicate with diverse audiences
• Must have a valid driver’s license, the ability to obtain a driver’s license, or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification or master’s degree
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to successfully identify and build relationships with donors to connect their interests with opportunities in a higher education or other nonprofit organization
• Demonstrated knowledge of all facets of fundraising, including annual fund, corporate and foundation relations, planned giving, stewardship, major gift fundraising, etc.
• Ability to problem solve and adapt to rapidly changing situations and successfully manage multiple complex projects from start to finish
• Ability to work cross-functionally with academic and administrative leaders in a collaborative environment to conceive and implement innovative ideas
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience working in a CRM or other relational database such as Advance or Raiser’s Edge
• Have an interest in enhancing and promoting the curriculum, programs and students in within an innovative college comprised of the foundational sciences

Diversity Statement

Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Job Duty Category: Major Gift Fundraising

Duty/Responsibility

• Manage major-gift fundraising, and overall development efforts to support the CNS Development staff fundraising efforts.
• Responsible for carrying a prospect portfolio. Utilizing the tenets of moves management, prospects will be moved through the pipeline and either managed by the DoD or moved to the other development personnel for further cultivation, solicitation or stewardship.
• Responsible for achieving agreed upon annual fundraising goals and metrics, including but not limited to: executing individual fundraising or prospective donor visits, submitting proposals, and an expectation of private support dollars raised.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward regional alumni and friends capable of $50,000 and above gifts using a carefully planned moves management system and is responsible to understand and execute the Donors Bill of Rights.
• Create and implement a strategic plan for donors, activities, and events for alumni, friends, and donors.
• Develops and implements a comprehensive strategy by working closely with prospect research, alumni relations, and college and unit directors of development to strategically identify major gift prospects ($50,000+), and make contacts to develop these relationships resulting in major gifts.
• Analyze and provide data to college leadership using appropriate demographic information for prospect identification, qualification, engagement, and solicitation.
• Strategically facilitate relationships with donors, potential donors, upper level college administration, and university personnel.
• Develop and implement comprehensive strategy to populate donor interest(s) categories on donor database and collect donor feedback. Collaborates with other departments and units to identify opportunities to efficiently and effectively collect and use information.
• Prepares proposals, submits contact reports, and produces briefing papers for university personnel involved in the development process.
• Solve donor related issues that arise quickly and effectively, understanding when to bring any given situation to leadership.
• Disseminate accurate donor information by identifying college and university-wide areas for donor engagement that align with the College/University fundraising priorities and goals.
• Responsible for compliance with all CSU policies and procedures, including but not limited to, solicitation and acceptance of gifts, alumni and support group policies and naming policies.

Percentage Of Time: 75%

Job Duty Category: Administrative/Supervision/Budget

Duty/Responsibility

• Work with faculty, administrative leaders, and central development staff to ensure we maximize the philanthropic support of our donors, and work to build long-term pipeline of new major gift prospects.
• Manage budget for travel, events, and donor engagement activities.
• Prepare annual fundraising goals in concert with the Executive Director of Advancement, and report progress towards the successful completion of these goals on a monthly basis.
• Participate as a full member of the University Advancement division and CNS leadership team member, attend development officer meetings, professional development activities, and other staff meetings as appropriate.

Percentage Of Time: 15%

Job Duty Category: Relationship and Project Management

Duty/Responsibility

• Work in collaboration with the CNS development staff to coordinate fundraising projects in accordance with campus and University fundraising policies.
• Attend university and college meetings as needed to be informed about issues and activities.
• Participate in the campus prospect management system, development officer forums/retreats and University Advancement planning meetings.
• Other responsibilities appropriate to the position as assigned.

Percentage Of Time: 10%

Special Instructions to Applicants

For full consideration, all materials must be received by 11:59 pm on June 28, 2020.

Applicants should submit 1) a letter of interest detailing how their experience meets the required and preferred qualifications, 2) a resume, and 3) three professional references noting name, phone number, email address and professional relationship (one must be a current or former supervisor). Please note: we cannot accept applications via email. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.

A $7,500 moving allowance may be negotiated at the time of hire.