The Associate Director of Development’s primary responsibilities include working closely with the Senior Director of Development, Director of Development, Dean, Associate Dean, Area Chairs, volunteer/advisory Boards, Faculty, and Senior Staff members to develop fundraising priorities and strategies. The position also partners with central Advancement, advancement colleagues, and College’s colleagues to advance philanthropic giving to key priorities through ongoing annual fundraising, alumni engagement, corporate and foundation relations, and major, principle, and planned giving.

This is a position that is heavily focused on networking and building relationships and committed to the tracking of measures and metrics to build a pipeline of donors to support the aspirations of the dean, faculty and students of the College and the university as a whole.

George Mason has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment. Mason is highly ranked for its campus diversity and is ranked by U.S. News & World Report in 2024 as the top-performing public university in Virginia for social mobility.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain Personal Portfolio and Supports Comprehensive Fundraising Program
• Meets or exceeds all metrics and expectations set by Central Advancement and the Costello College of Business;
• Works closely with the Dean, Associate Deans, and senior Advancement staff to identify and solicit major gifts required to achieve the campaign goal;
• Builds relationships with individual, corporate or foundation prospects with high giving capacities on behalf of the Costello College of Business and manages a portfolio of approximately 90-100 prospective donors by identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding these prospects/donors;
• Actively engages each prospect in portfolio, traveling to meet with major donor prospects both locally and nationally, to ensure prospect movement and portfolio penetration annually. Minimum of 50% Portfolio penetration working toward 75% Portfolio Penetration. Submits 2-4 “Asks” per month for a total of a minimum of 24 per year;
• Works collaboratively with and in support of volunteers, other Advancement staff, and members of the university community to cultivate and solicit donors;
• Monitors all prospect contacts to ensure positive and purposeful prospect and donor relations and record these contacts in the Advancement CRM;
• Articulates College campaign priorities, primarily building opportunities and naming gifts, but also scholarships, fellowships, and academic programs;
• Although this position does not have responsibility for cultivating and getting gifts < $5000, the position helps, proactively and in any way possible, team members in the College who are responsible for securing these annual and leadership annual gifts;
• Attends volunteer committee meetings and campaign-related events;
• Participates in the planning and implementation of campaign cultivation events;
• Provides major gifts reports, as requested; and
• Displays good judgment and confidentiality.

Coordination with Central Advancement

• Coordinates fundraising with other departments and utilizes services as appropriate;
• Ensures consistent and adequate communication between College/Unit and Central Advancement; and
• Works closely with Central Advancement services including, but not limited to, Planned Giving, Annual Giving, Parents and Family Philanthropy, University Priorities, Alumni Relations, Communications, Systems, Operations, Donor Relations, Gifts and Records, etc.

Other Duties as Assigned

Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Demonstrated experience with personnel management;
• A demonstrated record of successful major gift solicitations (typically 5+ years) and experience designing and executing donor identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies;
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and meeting continuous deadlines;
• Excellent research, writing and interpersonal communication skills;
• A creative approach to involve and solicit major donor prospects and possess the ability to motivate;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and experience with documenting appropriate information in a donor management database system;
• Ability to travel independently and ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends; and
• Possess a valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated (typically 5+ years) successful professional advancement and/or fundraising-related experience.
• Experience in higher education;
• Familiarity with CRM fundraising software;
• Demonstrate sound judgment necessary for interacting with donors, prospects, trustees, faculty and staff; and
• Possess understanding and the ability to articulate, the accomplishments and goals of a complex organization.