Major Gifts, Regional Programs, Senior Associate Director

About the role

The Senior Associate Director for Major Gifts, Regional Programs will lead Tulane’s major gift program in an assigned region, focusing on the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals to secure gift commitments ranging from $100,000 to $1,000,000. This role collaborates closely with colleagues across Advancement, including school/unit major gifts officers, reunion class officers, and alumni relations staff, to optimize short-term and long-term fundraising success. The position also partners with other departments within the Office of Advancement, such as Gift Planning, Stewardship, Corporate & Foundation Relations, and Alumni Development Information Services.

Responsibilities

• Identifies and qualifies new prospective major donors and volunteers in the assigned region.
• Manages a portfolio of qualified individual prospects, including alumni, parents, and friends.
• Develops a deep understanding of the unique culture, philanthropic community, and Tulane network in the assigned region.
• Travels regularly for in-person meetings with prospective major gift donors.
• Solicits major gifts, including annual and planned gifts as appropriate.
• Documents contacts with volunteers, donors, and prospects in the database.
• Serves as the subject matter expert for a unit, meeting regularly with the unit leader to stay informed about programs and fundraising priorities.
• Communicates unit priorities to Advancement teams to maximize prospect advancement.
• Collaborates with Advancement Communications and Marketing to create gift proposals and informational documents highlighting program strengths and needs.
• Staffs and prepares Advancement team members to support unit leaders in meetings with prospects and donors.
• Assists with the unit’s Advisory Council, including developing strategies for Council members and supporting council meetings.
• Participates in setting strategies for prospects and donors across Advancement.
• Creates and implements major gift solicitation and stewardship strategies in collaboration with development colleagues, considering donor interests, financial situations, and university priorities.
• Develops effective strategies for donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, including recognition for donors and volunteers.
• Consults with colleagues across the university to ensure donor-centric, coordinated approaches.
• Convenes colleagues traveling to the same geographic regions to ensure coordination and collaboration.
• Engages volunteers in fundraising efforts and connects them to strategic engagement opportunities with Tulane programs.
• Supports reunion programs, alumni relations, and gift officers as needed, including regional event planning and volunteer recruitment.
• Staffs the Regional Major Gifts Committee for the Tulane Campaign under the direction of the department head.
• Supports the President, Provost, deans, Executive Vice President, trustees, and others in the region as needed.

Qualifications

• Required Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of direct fundraising or related experience in soliciting and closing major and multi-year annual gifts in a research university environment (preferred). Transferable experience in marketing, admissions, public relations, alumni relations, trust officer roles, or sales may be considered.
  • OR High school diploma or equivalent and 11 years of directly related experience.
• Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to write and speak clearly, sincerely, and compellingly while articulating Tulane University’s mission and vision.
  • Experience in prospect identification, relationship building, and solicitation, preferably in higher education.
  • Experience in asking for large gifts and/or staffing volunteers to solicit large gifts.
  • Ability to travel substantially (50%) and attend events on evenings and weekends.
  • Strong organizational skills, including managing multiple activities, demands, or projects simultaneously while maintaining effectiveness, collaboration, and a sense of humor.
  • Demonstrated initiative and self-starting capacity.
  • Professional demeanor and ability to work effectively with university leadership, trustees, volunteers, and top donors.
  • Experience handling sensitive information and maintaining strict confidentiality.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience in a research university environment.
  • Commitment to the values of higher education.
  • Ability to articulate and represent Tulane University’s mission and vision.
  • Proficiency in software systems such as Word, Excel, and prospect management databases.