Assistant Dean for Advancement

Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and evaluate an annual fundraising plan and oversee the College’s prospect portfolio and gift officer assignments.
• Manage personal portfolio of high-level major gift prospects, using a focused and accountable approach of strategy development and implementation.
• Engage the Dean as appropriate, and provide direction for College’s overall prospect portfolio and gift officer assignments.
• Plan and implement effective outreach and cultivation activities to enhance prospect identification and move solicitation and stewardship processes forward.
• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gift prospects, with an emphasis on gifts of $50,000 or more, determining the frequency of contact needed.
• Maintain a significant travel schedule (30–40%) to meet with alumni, donors, and corporate partners.
• Facilitate the Dean’s engagement with key donors and prospects.
• Design strategies that align donor interests with University and College priorities.
• Collaborate with advancement colleagues across campus to support coordinated fundraising efforts.

Organizational Relationship

• Reports to the Dean of the College of Applied Health Sciences and to an Associate Vice Chancellor for Advancement.
• Provides strategic leadership for an advancement program that includes two gift officers, an associate director for external engagement, and an office manager.
• Collaborates closely with Administration (budget, facilities, HR), IT, and Communications.

Qualifications

• A minimum of a bachelor's degree, with an advanced degree or appropriate professional certification strongly preferred.
• An understanding and commitment to the research, teaching, and engagement mission of the University of Illinois and the College of Applied Health Sciences particularly in the areas of health, aging, disability, and quality of life.
• At least seven years of successful experience in advancement—with at least three years of experience working on major gifts—preferably in a higher education environment.
• Supervisory experience and demonstrated success leading a team.
• An understanding and adherence to the Association of Fundraising Professionals Donor Bill of Rights which is endorsed by the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Institutional Advancement.
• Must be able to travel by all modes of transportation, including planes, on a regular basis.