The director of leadership annual giving will have primary responsibility for the planning and implementation of the College of Arts & Sciences’ leadership annual giving program, focusing on individual giving at the leadership annual giving level and above ($10,000 to $99,999). Serving as a member of the college’s development and external relations team, the director of leadership annual giving will work in partnership with the vice dean, executive director for development, other College/University Relations and Development colleagues, faculty, and volunteers to secure local, regional, national, and international philanthropic and community support.  The position will manage a portfolio of 200+ alumni and donor prospects and will personally solicit leadership annual gifts with particular attention to Dean’s Society, multi-year art|sci Leader support and loyalty donors (i.e., donors who consistently give for 10 years or more). Functioning as part of a university development team, the incumbent will be expected to work collegially, and in partnership, with central and other school-based colleagues. Donor cultivation may require local, regional, or national travel.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manage a portfolio of 200+ leadership annual giving donors, alumni, parents, and friends with a giving potential in the range of $10,000-$99,999. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects and donors in accordance with College of Arts & Sciences fundraising priorities established by senior leadership. Arrange appropriate opportunities to meet with potential donors by leveraging communication approaches. Access highly confidential records of donors, alumni, parents, and friends of the university to analyze and evaluate essential information to ascertain giving history, family, and other relationships with the university to provide essential background data. (60%)
• In conjunction with the executive director, design compelling donor proposals and program materials for use in solicitations. Track, analyze, and report all leadership annual giving donor activity and benchmark rates of success over time. Create and collaborate on strategy for art|sci Leaders, Dean’s Society, and other recognition societies – especially donors with 10 years or more of annual support – to inspire increased giving. In partnership with the executive director, plan strategies for the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of leadership annual giving donors (20%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Collaborate with executive director, vice dean and other university and school development officers to execute strategic follow up and moves management as donors grow in their affinity for support. (5%)
• Develop, implement, and evaluate philanthropic program strategies, engagement opportunities, giving programs, special projects, activities, and structured outreach to meet departmental priorities that fulfill the mission of the college of arts and sciences and the university. Assist with the staffing of alumni and development events. (5%)
• Serve as the point person for the CAS Development and External Relations team for the promotion, management and strategic growth of the planned giving program. (5%)
• Recruit, train and manage volunteers, as appropriate, who will actively participate in building philanthropic relationships that benefit the school locally, nationally, and internationally. (2.5%)
• Actively participate in development and alumni relations activities and events as requested, or required, including but not limited to attendance at university functions during evenings and weekends (e.g., commencement, homecoming and reunion, alumni celebration, and networking events). (2.5%)
• Perform other duties as assigned. Assist the executive director and associate dean with and provide oversight and on-site management to other university programs, meetings, and events as required. (<1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Frequent contact with the dean, associate deans, department chairs, executive directors, senior directors, directors, other department staff, faculty, and students as required to perform essential functions.

University: Contact with the president’s office, vice presidents, deans, trustees, alumni, directors of administrative departments, faculty, and staff as required to perform essential functions.

External: Daily contact with donors, alumni, foundation representatives, community organizers/advocates, corporate executives and federal, state, and local government officials. Contact with foreign visitors, officials, and academic boards and organizations as required to perform essential functions.

Students: Contact with undergraduate, graduate, and professional students as required to perform essential functions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

No direct supervisory responsibility.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 7 or more years of work experience; 2 to 3 years in development, public relations, engagement, or related field. Experience in non-profit organizations or higher education is preferred.

Education: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Outstanding written and oral communication skills. Ability to demonstrate tact, appreciation, approachability, and responsiveness in relationships with donors, alumni, friends, administrators, faculty, staff, students, and all external contacts. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisor, and customers face to face.
• High level of accuracy and professionalism in reporting, communications, and evaluations.
• Highly motivated self-starter who demonstrates insight, maturity, cultural competency, and accountability in attitude and behavior. Strong public presence with the wisdom/sophistication to know when to take the lead and when to follow.
• Proven ability to function as a highly ethical member of a professional team. Competently and comfortably works with diversity among faculty, staff, alumni, friends, students, etc.
• Strong organizational and planning skills from conceptualization through implementation.
• Excellent decision-making and management skills. Exercises good judgment regarding priorities and utilizes efficient methods to meet established deadlines.
• Excellent research skills on both electronic and non-electronic formats.
• Ability to travel, to work with tight deadlines, and to handle multiple projects.
• Extraordinary care in maintaining absolute confidentiality and trust in handling budget and program information, donor and prospect information, confidential memoranda, and trustee/alumni/ dean/vice-president/faculty/staff/student interaction.
• Demonstrated ability to use work time productively and exercise good judgment in handling high priority items and sensitive and highly confidential matters; discretion and tact are essential.
• Computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office), word processing, and database management and the ability to learn new programs. Familiarity with Advance or other donor databases preferred.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment; occasional nights and weekend hours.

SALARY INFORMATION

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $65,779 and $83,210, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data. 

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

EEO STATEMENT

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer.  All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.  Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation.  Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.