Director of Philanthropy

About the role

The Director of Philanthropy role is to generate sustainable streams of major gift funding that will ensure the University’s long-term financial health. The Director will align major gifts fundraising with the University’s overall mission.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an annual plan to meet solicitation goals set by the Vice President of Advancement, reporting each month on progress being made toward reaching goals.
• Use the institution’s Donor and Gift Data system and other tools to identify new prospects and donor cultivation approaches.
• Create and execute fundraising strategies for individual donors, corporations, and foundations.
• Prepare collateral, draft gift agreements, and plan donor engagement and stewardship materials.
• As assigned, write and submit philanthropic grants.
• Ensure that each solicitor remains well-versed both on the proper procedures for securing and documenting gifts as well as on the institution’s fundraising priorities, including special opportunities within individual Colleges and departments at the University.
• Supervise a team of field solicitors who make in-person visits to donors and prospects.
• Contribute to team goal-setting, coach direct reports, and conduct annual evaluations.
• Hire and fire solicitors.
• Serve as the staff liaison to the Foundation Development Committee and Alumni Board Development Committee.
• Direct recruitment, engagement, and solicitations of donor / volunteers to philanthropy-oriented councils and giving societies.
• Integrate strategies, specific plans, resources, and timelines across Advancement and the Foundation.
• Oversee Philanthropy Office budget.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Outstanding interpersonal and public speaking skills
• Excellent written and oral communications skills; effectively and compellingly communicate ideas and organizational achievements, needs, and opportunities
• Highly motivated, organized, creative and flexible
• Experienced in best practices in fund development
• Demonstrated strategic thinker
• Poised, polished, and professional demeanor
• Demonstrated leadership in a team setting working with staff, Board members and other volunteers to accomplish fundraising objectives
• Possesses strong leadership, team-building, and motivational skills and holds supervised personnel accountable for performance
• Ability to train staff and volunteers in fundraising best practices
• Proficient department manager
• Proficient in core computer skills including word processing, database management, spreadsheets, navigating the web and electronic communications
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks and responsibilities
• Ability to work independently, maintain self-motivation and persist in the face of challenges
• Ability to reliably and frequently travel to meet with donors
• Experience using a donor and gift database or other type of CRM platform
• Possesses or has the ability to form a deep and genuine commitment to the University’s mission