Since its inception, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has remained best in class — the unquestioned global leader in aerospace education, and the definitive source of innovation in aviation and aerospace education and research. The largest, most comprehensive institution of its kind, Embry-Riddle was founded in 1926, 22 years after the Wright brothers’ first demonstration of piloted, powered flight: 12 seconds that changed the world and eventually brought Embry-Riddle into being. Today, with a nearly 100-year legacy of innovation and excellence in education, even greater accomplishments lie ahead — and above!

Embry-Riddle holds multiple Top 10 academic rankings. Our aerospace engineering programs, for example, have routinely been judged to be the nation’s best. With a long history of serving those who serve, Embry-Riddle is annually named “Best for Veterans.” In addition, the university’s online bachelor’s degree programs have ranked first or second in the nation for the past eight years. And, Embry-Riddle’s professional pilot degree programs are the unquestioned gold standard for aspiring aviators.

As we prepare for our Centennial Campaign, there has never been a more exciting time to make your mark on our University’s history. We seek a dynamic fundraiser to join the Office of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement in the role of Director of Philanthropy in the Daytona Beach College of Arts & Sciences.

Under the leadership of Dr. Peter Hoffmann, the Daytona Beach College of Arts & Sciences is a vibrant hub of STEM focused applied and theoretical research.  The College of Arts & Sciences offers the nation’s only undergraduate degree of its kind in aerospace physiology and is home to the largest university-based research telescope in Florida.  The College continues to grow and provide an outstanding learning environment for our students.  Help us spread the word!

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Philanthropy and working directly with the dean and faculty of the Daytona Beach College of Arts & Sciences, the Director of Philanthropy works to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward lead annual and major gifts from alumni and community partners. They provide leadership and coordination to the campus in approaching donors for lead annual and major gifts. They will develop and implement fundraising strategies, prepare compelling oral and written proposals, build and maintain effective relationships with booster supporters.

This is not just a job – it is an opportunity to be a catalyst for change, a champion of innovation, and a guardian of our legacy. If you are ready to make waves, break barriers, and leave an indelible mark on the future of aerospace education, we want you on our team.

Responsibilities include the following:

Lead Annual and Major Gifts

The Director will be assigned a portfolio of approximately 75-125 prospects. In this role, they shall conduct discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship calls within this portfolio. They will engage current and prospective donors through print or electronic correspondence, calls, encounters at events, and, most importantly, individual, face-to-face visits. Travel and attendance on evenings and weekends should be anticipated.  The Director’s primary objective is to secure gifts for the Daytona Beach College of Arts & Sciences, though additional opportunities may be pursued as well, in order to optimize overall giving to the University.

Develop written strategies and tactics for each prospect, implement them, and collaborate with colleagues in the division to achieve donor engagement and stewardship goals.

Unit liaison

Engage with and coordinate philanthropy activities within the Daytona Beach College of Arts & Sciences. Participate in leadership meetings to better understand needs, challenges, and opportunities. Help coordinate central advancement efforts in the areas of annual giving, major gifts, advancement communications, data acquisition, planned giving programing, donor relations and donor impact reporting associated with the college. Build lasting, effective relationships with the faculty, staff, and students across the college to best engage them in the process of philanthropy.  Advise department staff on the institution’s philanthropic policies, practices, schedules, and strategies as well as on general best practices in philanthropy. Ensure a strong healthy relationship with between the Daytona Beach College of Arts & Sciences, other units, and the central administration of the University.

Support Central Development

Observe institutional development policies, participate actively in meetings held by central development, and maintain a satisfactory level of training and knowledge of best practices. The Director’s main emphasis is to secure funds for the Daytona Beach College of Arts & Sciences while being donor-centric. Thus, as necessary or as assigned, assist the central development enterprise in achieving its broader objectives. This may entail transferring or sharing assigned prospects based on interests in other units. Conduct discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship in accordance with those assignments. Engage current and prospective donors through print or electronic correspondence, calls, encounters at events, and most importantly, individual, face-to-face visits. Complete timely, accurate, concise, and complete contact reports and enter them into the Division’s enterprise system.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with 3-5 years of fundraising experience.
• Ability to develop effective partnerships with internal and external constituencies.
• Demonstrated track record of cultivating and closing significant major gifts and corporate sponsorships.
• Commitment to teamwork and cooperative action.
• Ability to work with people from a variety of culturally diverse backgrounds.
• Effective communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and motivational skills.
• Experience with Salesforce or comparable donor relationship applications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional experience in a higher education advancement setting is strongly preferred.
• Professional experience in aviation or aerospace environments is a plus.