Assistant Director of Development, Watts College

Set strategy and facilitate efforts for engaging and retaining long-term philanthropic relationships with individuals, corporations, community organizations, and foundations that have a potential affinity with the School of Public Affairs (SPA) and ASU. Effectiveness will be evaluated on the ability to build strong donor relationships that inspire continued giving, with success measured by achieving financial goals and contact metrics consistent with the needs of SPA.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and execution of strategic fundraising and engagement efforts by designing, implementing, evaluating, and refining development activities to drive donor retention, reactivation, acquisition, and pipeline growth.
• Actively engage donors, alumni, faculty, staff, and students by managing a personal gift/prospect portfolio in accordance with performance metrics.
• Research, develop, and present annual development plans for assigned areas, identifying prospective and current individual donors, corporations, foundations, and other funding sources to be cultivated, solicited, renewed, and closed, including research grants, scholarships, and program sponsorships.
• Meet monthly with assigned areas to review targets.
• Work with the development team and academic leaders to assist and direct the implementation and coordination of special fundraising and engagement opportunities by identifying, cultivating, and soliciting annual, major, and planned gifts.
• Collaborate with faculty, institute/center directors, staff, and unit-based and foundation-based fundraisers to leverage the maximum philanthropic potential of a prospect, including finding meaningful ways for donors to engage beyond their financial gift.
• Develop and submit written proposals, budgets, and other collateral materials as needed for securing philanthropic investments.
• Collaborate with and coordinate the efforts of various ASU offices and functions to advance prospect and donor strategies (e.g., alumni engagement, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, development, donor relations, estate and gift planning, financial services, research, and prospect management).
• Plan, organize, and conduct specific local/national donor fundraising and/or donor networking events with School events staff.
• Help coordinate the administrative process of giving from invoicing donors and tracking pledge payments to issuing timely acknowledgments.
• Ensure proper stewardship and recognition of donors in portfolio.
• Proactively manage a major gift/prospect portfolio, develop and execute strategic prospect strategies leading to solicitation and investment based on the opportunities of each special assignment.
• Use the ASUF prospect management and tracking system (e.g., Salesforce) to record and coordinate contacts and proposals.
• Conduct meaningful virtual or in-person visits annually with assigned donors and prospects, advancing relationships through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Assume responsibility for core fundraising metrics including face-to-face visits with prospects, identification of new prospects, growth in cumulative giving from the prospect portfolio, major gift proposals submitted, and dollars raised.
• Participate as a member of the ASUF development team and serve as a resource to development colleagues regarding fundraising opportunities.
• Establish strong working relationships with deans, chairs, directors, and faculty and staff members of assigned unit(s).

Requirements

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with academic leadership, faculty, prospects, donors, and/or volunteers in a wide range of roles.
• Ability to conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare effective, accurate, and timely reports and other documents to support development objectives.
• Database management skills.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, demonstrate an understanding of ethics related to development activities, and use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers, and others.
• Ability to foster effective working relationships within a team environment.
• Community relations skills and the ability to communicate and work effectively within a diverse community.
• Program planning and leadership skills.
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present effectively to small and large groups.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to Foundation and University business and confidential prospect information.
• Ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures and backgrounds.
• Ability to represent the institution well and possess an advocate’s belief in the vision of ASU as the New American University.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and comfort working in donor/prospect computer database systems.
• If this position is assigned to the Athletics Department, either administratively or functionally, compliance with all NCAA rules and regulations is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree program.
• Two (2) to three (3) years of successful development experience.
• Demonstrated ability in securing major grants and gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other private funding sources.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and experience in managing events and other complex activities in support of development objectives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree.
• Two (2) to three (3) years of successful development experience in higher education or college athletics for applicable roles.
• Knowledge of fundraising techniques including proposal development, prospect identification, fund solicitation, database management, donor tracking, and social networking and marketing tools in higher education.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution.
• 22 days of vacation time.
• 11 holidays, including your birthday.
• Parental leave.
• Significant tuition reductions.
• Professional development opportunities.
• $30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement.

About the Organization

The ASU Foundation fosters partnerships between ASU and like-minded individuals, corporations, and foundations who believe in ASU’s mission and provide resources for ASU to manifest its charter into meaningful impact. These partnerships empower ASU to advance student access, serve our community, protect the planet, create equity in higher education, and conduct research for the public good.

• Character: We prioritize character and integrity in every decision and action, establishing trust as the foundation of all that we do.
• Service: We are dedicated to serving our students, donors, communities, and colleagues by fostering support and collaboration to ensure that our efforts are impactful.
• Innovation: Innovation drives us to create meaningful opportunities and solutions, helping every member of our global community achieve meaningful outcomes.