Summary of Position

The Director of Development (DOD) for CEPS will join UNH at an inflection point in the University’s 150+ year history as it kicks off the planning phase of its next ambitious campaign. The DOD will partner with the Managing Director of Development and the Dean of CEPS in strengthening a high caliber fundraising program that reflects the University’s culture, mission, goals, and evolving strategic plans. In these efforts, the DOD will work collaboratively and transparently with academic leadership, advancement colleagues, board members, faculty, staff, students, parents, and alumni. S/he will strengthen systems and structures for planning and decision making around development and participate in an ongoing institution-wide conversation about fundraising vision, strategy, and goals.

Leadership and Vision:

The Director serves in a highly visible fundraising role. The DOD will be a member of the Development senior management team and will partner closely with dynamic academic leadership. S/he will set the tone for high achievement of audacious goals that align with the UNH ethos of innovation and renewal.

With deep knowledge of effective advancement strategies, including significant personal experience raising major gifts and a track record of development program building, the DOD will be a creative, ambitious, and dynamic team player. S/he will embrace technological and analytical solutions with a keen sense of what is possible and an uncommon level of excellence in communication and collaboration skills, together with a demonstrated propensity for weaving fundraising into institutional values and aspirations.

Management, Strategy, and Planning:

The Director will lead her/his team to inspire the CEPS donor base and instill a heightened level of engagement for alumni, parents, students, friends, and other stakeholders within the CEPS community, preparing for the next phase of the University’s fundraising and alumni engagement expansion. S/he will be an active mentor and will drive annual planning, goal setting, and performance evaluation for the CEPS Development team.

Donor and Alumni Engagement:

Managing a robust major gift portfolio, the Director of Development will continually strive to improve and extend relationships with all constituencies in ways that have a quantifiable impact on philanthropic revenue. In addition, s/he will participate in leading an expansion of the existing vehicles and practices through which UNH can capitalize on the energy of a passionate and spirited alumni body. The Director of Development will embrace goal-oriented outcomes and metrics-driven engagement activities.

Key Qualifications Summary:

The successful candidate will be a strategic, creative thinker who is passionate about fundraising potential for CEPS and who can support entrepreneurial initiatives to maximize results. The Director will have a proven track record in major gift fundraising or a closely related field of expertise. S/he will possess outstanding interpersonal competencies, the ability to effectively engage volunteer leadership, and a deep commitment to instilling practices and a culture within advancement that reflects UNH.

Other minimum qualifications

• Orientation as a team player and leader with strong management skills.
• A metrics-driven, entrepreneurial mindset that informs strategy and work.
• A bachelor’s degree (master’s degree a plus).
• A minimum of five-to-seven years of fundraising experience (or equivalent experience e.g. sales/marketing) and proven success in a comprehensive campaign closing major gifts as well as a comfort level with planned and annual gift solicitations.
• Exceptionally strong verbal and written communication skills, organizational and analytical skills, and project management skills.
• Experience with board volunteer management and the ability to maintain a high level of diplomacy.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Openness to travel on behalf of UNH for donor visits or as the University’s representative.
• An advocate for diversity.
• Flexibility and a sense of humor.
• Proficiency in fundraising database technologies and Microsoft Office.

Duty/Responsibility Fundraising:

• Implement a comprehensive multi-year fundraising/campaign plan for CEPS to significantly increase philanthropic support.
• Maintain a robust portfolio of major, principal and planned gift prospects, maintaining frequent contact with prospects, leaders, and volunteers.
• Conduct approximately 115-130 face-to-face visits with prospects and donors per year and facilitate 20+ major gift solicitations annually, including seven-and-eight figure gifts.
• Plan systematic, appropriate, and effective solicitation strategies for major, principal and planned gift prospects including collaborating with key partners within Advancement. Work collaboratively with other development personnel in identifying referral opportunities and supporting UNH’s overall fundraising goals and as well as unit annual goals.
• Travel as needed to cultivate donors and prospects with an interest in supporting fundraising priorities.
• Provide guidance for fundraising committees and related events and activities led by volunteers and others.

Duty/Responsibility Management, Planning & Volunteer Engagement:

• Manage an associate director of development and act as an active mentor; drive annual planning, goal setting, and performance evaluation for the CEPS Development team.
• Work closely with the Managing Director of Development to deliver on strategic fundraising and engagement priorities for CEPS that align the Dean’s vision with the overall case for UNH support.
• Leverage faculty expertise to support fundraising activities.
• Involve the Dean in the development and successful execution of solicitation strategies.
• Oversee preparation of reports, proposals, brochures, and other materials for various development programs.
• Solicit and organize volunteers for various fundraising efforts, including annual fund drives; leverage advisory boards, as appropriate, to be fully integrated in all fundraising priorities.
• Manage the CEPS Development team operating budget.