Director of Development
Full-time, exempt professional staff position within the Division of University Advancement.
About the Organization
The Division of University Advancement connects external parties with opportunities to partner, support, and participate with Fayetteville State University and its programming. The division is responsible for all development and fundraising-related activities, including major gifts solicitations, annual giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation giving, alumni relations, donor relations, capital campaign planning and implementation, gift processing and acknowledgment, career services activities, and donor research.
About the Role
Develops charitable support for Fayetteville State University and the FSU Foundation, Inc. The Director will manage a portfolio of discovery and actively managed prospects while collaborating with colleagues across campus. Works closely with the Associate Vice Chancellor for Development to provide leadership to the major gifts team.
Responsibilities
- Identification, qualification, cultivation, and solicitation of prospects to create and grow a pipeline of major gift ($25,000 and above) donors.
- Manage a portfolio of 75-100 prospective donors to FSU.
- Supervise the Associate/Assistant Directors of Development.
- Make approximately 9-12 visits per month to prospective donors to inform them of the university’s work and steward them for their past support.
- Collaborate with colleagues to align donors’ philanthropic interests with university priorities.
- Perform other duties as required or assigned.
- Attend a variety of events throughout the year.
- Regular travel and occasional night and weekend work are required.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in any field.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in higher education fundraising, non-profit fundraising, sales, marketing, or a related field.
- Demonstrated understanding of higher education fundraising best practices.
- Experience managing and motivating advancement/alumni relations or sales professionals.
- Significant willingness to take personal initiative and ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.
Skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; outstanding interpersonal skills.
- Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple and competing priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience in cold calling, negotiating, and closing business deals.
- Self-motivated and self-starting.
- Ability to advocate institutional priorities to an external audience.
- Willingness to travel in-state and out-of-state.