Executive Director of University Development
Description
Reporting to and working closely with the vice president for University Advancement, the executive director of university development (EDOD) is responsible for creating and implementing an ambitious comprehensive fundraising strategy for the university. The EDOD will have primary responsibility for campaign fundraising, including driving the internal processes of the campaign and managing the fundraising functions. Oversees a team of approximately 32 development staff members, including corporate and foundation relations, leadership gifts, planned giving, parent programs, annual fund, and donor stewardship. Direct reports include the director of leadership gifts, director of corporate and foundation relations, director of annual giving, and the director of gift planning. The EDOD sits on the VP’s executive management team, working collaboratively to advance the goals of University Advancement.
Essential and Related Functions:
- Fundraising/Campaign Strategy and Implementation: In collaboration with the president and vice president, creates, directs, and implements the fund-raising strategy for the University. In close collaboration with the director of leadership gifts and the vice president, assists with advising the president on fund-raising strategies for top donors. Drives the effort for a successful campaign process and outcome. Serves as a primary contact for senior administrators and faculty on fundraising priorities.
- Staff Management: Manages direct reports with a focus on fund-raising success. Creates and cultivates a work environment that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. Meets regularly with staff, individually and as a team. Completes administrative work related to the budget, performance reviews, and managing the office and the campaign.
- Fundraising:Manages 30-50 key prospects with a goal of visiting each of these prospects at least annually. Many of these prospects will deserve presidential and vice-presidential attention. Designs and implements strategy for donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. Collects and analyzes data on donors’ patterns of engagement and philanthropy at W&L, and uses this information to guide decision making regarding the deployment of staff and volunteer resources.
- Presidential Planning: Coordinates the president’s fundraising meetings and events. Coordinates prospect strategy meetings with the president, the vice president, and key University Advancement staff and development staff.
- Other: As a member of the vice president’s executive management team, works collaboratively with other directors in University Advancement in strategic planning and advancing the goals of the division. Develops appropriate stewardship for all significant donors. Frequently staffs University Advancement events, both on campus and off campus. This position requires frequent independent travel and extensive evening and weekend work.
Required Competencies:
- Strategic Thinking – Actively develops and aligns the departmental strategy with the University’s vision, mission and values. Able to rally others behind the University’s mission and create commitment to achieving long-term goals. Looks beyond the surface of problems, connects unrelated information and integrates it when making decisions. Able to quickly assess changing situations and recognize key risks involved in order to handle the problem or opportunity efficiently.
- Change Adaptability -Champions change initiatives in own department, communicates rationale and provides updates throughout the change process to help others deal with ambiguity. Anticipates and addresses staff concerns throughout the change process, creating and maintaining open dialogue to obtain commitment and buy-in. Supports the practical utilization of new ideas that show promise and encourages diversity of thought in own department and others.
- Communication and Networking -Adapts own style to deliver persuasive messages by understanding the audience, communication objectives and intended outcome. Serves as a role model by advocating a culture of openness and two-way communication across departments. Develops and maintains knowledge of key areas, persons in the University or larger community and uses social networks to build support for common purposes.
- Drive for Results – Champions continuous improvement of work methods, policies and practices by providing resources and sharing success stories and lessons learned. Engages department in setting challenging goals and targets, encourages others to overcome obstacles and holds people accountable for results. Guides establishment of customer service processes to standardize a culture of customer service and sensitivity.
- Talent Development – Supports processes to identify and reward talent by creating development opportunities, mentoring and coaching others to develop the next line of leaders. Proactively identifies and ensures development of critical future skills and capabilities for talent across the University and not just within a department. Takes time to actively build individual relationships on a formal and informal basis with University employees. Leads by example, by supporting the implementation of a sustainable performance development system (e.g., encouraging participation in goal setting activities, final year review, etc.).
Qualifications
This position requires a proven track record as a front-line fundraiser and manager; significant experience closing gifts of six figures and above; excellent written and oral communications; experience staffing and collaborating with trustees and other volunteers, senior administrators, and faculty on fundraising priorities; experience in managing staff with a compassionate, clear, and decisive leadership and management style; the highest ethical standards; the ability to motivate staff, volunteers, and donors; a passionate commitment to higher education; an entrepreneurial spirit; a nuanced understanding of donors’ motivations; creativity; and the ability to travel regularly.
Bachelor’s degree required, and relevant advanced degree preferred.
To apply for this job please visit apply.interfolio.com.
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