Regional Advancement Director

Responsibilities

• Charged with dramatically increasing both the quality and size of the University of Rochester's prospect pool.
• Play a key role in the overall growth of private philanthropy at the University.
• Originating prospect/donor activity and coordinating all Advancement work in their assigned regions.
• Work collegially with the School/Unit Gift Officers.
• Carry a portfolio of approximately 125-150 qualified prospects.
• Think creatively on how to leverage various forms of communication, as well as maximize multiple forms of technology to reach prospective donors.
• Annual performance metrics will be set in collaboration with the Executive Director of Regional Advancement.
• Be a full and active member of the Regional Advancement team and of the broader University Advancement team, participating in strategy and planning, and contributing their ideas and counsel particularly as they relate to their assigned regions.
• Report to the Assistant Vice President or Executive Director of Regional Advancement and have a designated staff person supporting them.
• Extensive travel on behalf of the university is required.

Essential Functions

• Fundraising: Maintain a portfolio of 125-150 Larger Major Gift Prospects, maintain major gift pipeline to ensure aggressive team assigned metrics are exceeded, close large major gifts exceeding $100,000.
• Fundraising strategy: Create strategies for and solicit donors capable of contributing large major gifts to the University, including gifts supporting the capital campaign. Responsible for planning, managing, executing, and stewardship strategy for each prospect.
• Prospect Management: Travel within designated regions to initiate and/or strengthen relationships with major gift prospects, travel will include working with key volunteers, faculty, university leadership, parents and alumni, collaborate with Advancement colleagues to research and identify new major gift prospects annually, manage relationships with prospects that include University Deans, Department Chairs, and Faculty.
• Programmatic Work: Respond to inquiries and requests from donors and volunteers involving status and disposition of gifts, collaborate closely with University stewardship and donor relations offices in assuring appropriate follow up to gifts, execute follow up actions as appropriate: letters and phone communication, problems solving, information gathering from other departments involved with gifts, etc., become an expert within major gift fundraising, specifically in estate giving, and alternative gifting vehicles.
• Strategic Planning: Works closely with internal and external partners to secure the resources necessary to achieve a vision outlined by university leadership, collaborates with Senior Leaders, Deans, Department Chairs, Volunteers, and key faculty to effectively manage and create prospect strategies to promote development efforts that focus on school priorities.

Minimum Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree and 7 years of fundraising experience required, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills and evidence of interest in, and ability to, work effectively with volunteers and solicit annual gifts.
• Strong capacity for collaboration.
• Aptitude and evidence of ability to work well with faculty.
• Ability to manage complex projects and to effectively manage detail.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Positive attitude, optimism, independence and creativity are essential.
• Familiarity with office productivity computer programs and an interest and aptitude in learning more about management information systems.