Director Development

About the Role

Direct the fund-raising activities targeted at individuals, corporations, and foundations to broaden the base of funding sources for specific departments and colleges of the University. Responsible for building relationships with alumni, friends, foundations, and corporations to increase philanthropic support.

Responsibilities

• Understand the mission and needs of The University of Akron and build relationships with alumni, friends, foundations, and corporations to increase philanthropic support.
• Identify, cultivate, and steward donor relationships, implementing short- and long-range strategic plans to guide engagement and meet fundraising goals.
• Pursue donor connections and capacity, aligning donor interests and passions with opportunities at the University to generate gifts.
• Travel to donors as needed.
• Solicit gifts (and know how to close a gift) via face-to-face meetings, creative proposals, phone calls, letters, emails, and special events—annual metrics will determine success in the position.
• Implement and maximize stewardship opportunities to enhance relationships and continue positive momentum.
• Display exceptional interpersonal skills that help build rapport and trust among a diverse group of donors and colleagues, as well as faculty and staff across the University.
• Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills, especially the ability to write grammatically correct letters, persuasive proposals, endowment descriptions, and case statements.
• Work with colleagues, faculty, and staff to plan and execute programs and activities that raise the visibility of the University and generate support; responsibilities may include managing college boards, planning special events, and promoting seminars that highlight UA’s areas of expertise.
• Attend work-related events that occur outside of the traditional workday, including weekends.
• Understand and efficiently use Microsoft Office products, including Word and Excel; knowledge of Adobe products such as Photoshop and InDesign is a plus.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Valid driver’s license (State of Ohio).

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years of experience in fundraising or alumni relations, or sales and marketing.
• Alternatively, significant experience working in higher education with demonstrated leadership supporting a college or a dean.
• Higher education fundraising experience preferred.