Executive Director of Development

Abilene, Texas • Full-time • Experienced

About the role

The Executive Director of Development reports to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and maintains a strong working relationship with prospect management and fundraising activities. This position is an active member of the Institutional Advancement team, collaborating strategically with the college president, fundraising professionals, faculty, deans, staff, campus leaders, and external constituents. The Executive Director of Development also serves as the managing director for a comprehensive campaign.

Responsibilities

• Manages a portfolio of major/planned gift donors/prospects ($25K–$500,000+) including alumni, parents, friends, and key stakeholders.
• Assists with the direction of the comprehensive campaign alongside the campaign consultant and vice president.
• Sets the standard for Advancement Staff regarding the expected number of visits, proposals, and closes.
• Leads the Advancement Office and staff, covering major gifts, planned gifts, annual giving, and corporate and foundation relations.
• Oversees all aspects of the Moves Management process in conjunction with the Donor Advancement System (DAS).
• Initiates contacts with potential major and planned gift donors, developing authentic relationships and appropriate cultivation/solicitation strategies.
• Moves prospects in a timely fashion to solicitation and closure, maintaining direct stewardship contact.
• Ensures timely submission of contact and expense reports and utilization of fundraising technical tools by Advancement staff.
• Develops processes and procedures to meet Advancement Division goals.
• Integrates Advancement efforts with the Alumni Office and Advancement Services Office.
• Focuses on securing gifts for campus-wide priorities such as general endowment, academic programs, endowed chairs, scholarships, unrestricted support, facility renovations, new facilities, and campus improvements.
• Provides strategy counsel to the president, vice president, and Advancement staff.
• Participates in key on-campus and off-campus events for donor cultivation and collaboration with Advancement staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Vice President for Advancement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of five years of progressive experience in Major Gifts, Planned Giving, and Annual Giving or a related field.
• Experience writing, making presentations, and communicating with all levels of an institution.
• Experience initiating contacts, developing cultivation and solicitation strategies, and managing a major gifts portfolio.
• Experience leading and inspiring staff.
• Experience organizing, managing projects, and multi-functional areas with a demonstrated record of completing assignments.
• Knowledge of best practices in Advancement and integrating the Advancement Office into the Advancement Division.
• Ability to create a framework for comprehensive solicitations and motivate/lead the Advancement Office.
• Extensive travel required.
• Understanding of working with academic units and effectively communicating the institutional message with internal and external constituents.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree.
• Minimum of five years of progressive experience in Major Gifts, Planned Giving, and Annual Giving, preferably in higher education.
• Experience promoting strategic fundraising priorities and working in state-assisted institutions.
• Experience leading the Moves Management process.
• Self-motivated with a strong work ethic, positive attitude, and experience making complex decisions.
• Experience working with tact and discretion concerning confidential information.

Schedule

Full-time equivalent with evening and weekend requirements.