"Assistant/Associate Director of Development, School of Nursing/School of Pharmacy"

VCU is a public research university unlike any other. We're dedicated to serving the needs of students and patients and our passionate community isn't afraid to tackle difficult challenges others can't or won't. We’re home to creativity, teaching, discovery and healing. Our location in the heart of downtown Richmond, Virginia, means the nonstop energy of our city ignites our innovation and provides unlimited opportunities.

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

The mission of VCU’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) is to maximize philanthropic support by engaging stakeholders with our institution working in partnership with all VCU schools, programs and campuses as one development and alumni relations community and implementing the best practices and efficient strategies to achieve a comprehensive development program.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Development at the School of Nursing or School of Pharmacy, the Assistant/Associate Director of Development works directly with Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) colleagues to achieve Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) fundraising and engagement goals by engaging, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding prospects with a philanthropic interest in the strategic needs of the University.

This is a pooled posting for the following opportunities:

• Assistant/Associate Director of Development for the School of Nursing
• Assistant/Associate Director of Development for the School of Pharmacy

Interested applicants are required to submit a cover letter identifying the role or roles they are interested in and include an order of preference. The final working title, salary and fundraising goals will be determined based on level of experience.

Primary responsibilities:

• Manage (identify, engage, cultivate, solicit, steward) a portfolio of approximately 90-125 of the unit’s top prospects with a giving capacity between $25,000 and $100,000; engage in discovery work annually to identify new prospects and determine interest in VCU priorities
• Solicit gifts at the leadership annual giving and major gifts level (at or above $50,000) through personal appointments, calls and correspondence in order to obtain and/or increase donor contributions
• Continue to cultivate the donor pipeline by increasing participation in primary giving (gifts under $50,000), building relationships that lead to sustained support.
• Partner with colleagues to expand donor engagement through crowdfunding campaigns and other broad-based initiatives.
• Strengthen and maintain donor retention by providing strategic stewardship and continued engagement.
• In coordination with the senior director, maximize the dean’s participation in fundraising and engagement efforts through strategic planning and thorough organization
• Integrate the dean, faculty, students, and alumni into development activities where most appropriate and effective
• With senior director, dean, academic leaders, SAVP, and other DAR leadership and colleagues, devise short and long-term donor-centric strategies and develop plans for advancing each prospect’s meaningful passions to the university
• Collaborate and coordinate with colleagues across the university and on central teams (including planned giving, CFR, principal gifts, and university development) to develop donor-centric strategies to leverage and maximize giving and engagement; engage with colleagues for joint cultivation/solicitation/stewardship efforts when needed
• Prepare briefing documents for VCU and DAR leadership for functions in which they are in attendance
• Ensure accurate documentation of all donor activity and major gift solicitation plans in the university’s prospect management system (RADAR)
• Coordinate with alumni relations and the strategic marketing and engagement team to ensure coordination of information to stakeholders and friends
• Develop, support, and evaluate campaign volunteer opportunities; collaborate with central partners on recruitment and training of those volunteers
• Provide guidance and assist with stewardship events and correspondence
• Coordinate with central teams on the composing, editing, and publishing of fundraising reports
• Manage time and activities to support annually-established metrics on prospect/donor engagement and fundraising efficacy
• Attend DAR-related events and conduct prospect related travel outside of regular business hours as necessary

As a team member, you will:

• Demonstrate appreciation for the mission and aspirations of VCU and VCU Health
• Display a strong commitment to organizational success and delivering on individual responsibilities as a university citizen
• Demonstrate a commitment to the pursuit of excellence, high achievement and ongoing professional development by proactively seeking opportunities to develop new capabilities, skills, and knowledge
• Establish, cultivate and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal partners
• Demonstrate a commitment to the highest quality service to internal and external communities
• Demonstrate an open-minded approach to understanding people from all backgrounds, identities, abilities, perspectives and experiences
• Ensure work is completed accurately and within deadline. Set high standards, exhibit a positive attitude, maintain strict confidentiality, and show exemplary work ethic
• Reflect DAR’s and VCU’s core purpose and values

Minimum hiring standards:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Previous professional experience working in customer service, fundraising, or sales environments working directly with people for engagement and soliciting five- and six-figure financial commitments
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles, ethics and practices of successful fundraising
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU
• An outgoing and positive personality, strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative working style
• Strong written, oral, and data-analysis skills
• Familiarity with technology, software, and digital tools to communicate and engage with others
• Ability to work and navigate within a complex organization and diverse constituencies
• Willingness to learn, collaborate, and grow within a high performing fundraising team

Preferred hiring standards:

• Master’s degree and/or 2-4 years of professional experience in front line major gift fundraising work, customer relations, or sales-related fields preferably in an academic medical center, healthcare, or higher education (Research I) setting or similar complex environments
• Demonstrated success securing five-, six- and seven-figure annual fund and major gifts
• Demonstrated ability to execute objectives and goals aligned to the mission of a complex, urban university and the ability to persuasively represent its goals to multiple constituents
• Ability to plan and execute travel for donor engagements that may include evening, weekend and overnight trips

Candidate review will begin the week of October 20th.

Unit: Development MBU

Department: Development

Salary Range: $65,000 - $85,000 commensurate with experience

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: No

Eligible for sponsorship (e.g. H-IB visa status, etc.): No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid; must be within commuting distance to Richmond, VA and available to come into the office at least 2-3 days per week.