Assistant Director of Development

Founded on the principle that 'borders frequented by trade seldom need soldiers' and the first higher education institution to specialize in international management, Thunderbird School of Global Management is developing leaders who are not just equipped to lead today, but to shape the industries and ecosystems of the future. When Thunderbird joined forces with ASU more than a decade ago, it became a force multiplier for impact in society. Together, we are reimagining what global education can and should look like, and dismantling barriers to lifelong learning globally. Philanthropy is the fuel that powers this mission and through the ASU Changing Futures campaign, we will give more leaders the tools and knowledge to lead the next generation of global citizens who feel comfortable anywhere in the world and change it for the better.

This role is a brilliant opportunity for someone who genuinely believes in the power of philanthropy and education, to make an impact on Thunderbird as a key member of the Engagement team. The Assistant Director, Development will contribute to the development and realization of bold and innovative initiatives that sit at the core of what makes the Thunderbird experience and impact so profound. This role will play a critical part in building Thunderbird's development capacity and broadening our engagement agenda in collaboration with the Thunderbird Alumni team and network of global colleagues at the ASU Foundation. The Assistant Director will work across mid- and major gifts and annual giving and will manage their own portfolio of prospects and donors.

What you'll do

• Contribute to the development of written proposals, strategic plans, and other collateral materials to deepen prospect engagement.
• Interact and maintain liaison with alumni, students, faculty, staff, and outside/community agencies in facilitating development of program objectives.
• Work with the ASU Foundation Research team to identify prospective donors to Thunderbird and to develop thorough
• Use ASU Foundation's alumni/donor database, maintaining current and confidential information on development activities.
• Liaise with current donors at all stages in the philanthropic process to ensure an optimal experience and build a broad familiarity with Thunderbird's key donor pool and volunteers.
• Assist with individual stewardship plans and follow up on actions from each donor engagement.
• Work with the Director of Engagement & Campaigns, support and develop strategies to grow annual fund participation and revenue, through direct mail, email outreach, and digital marketing.
• Take the lead role in establishing and securing donations for the 1946 Circle and other annual giving campaigns (annual gifts in the $1,000-$50,000 range).
• Track annual fund performance and donor retention, pulling reports and analyzing trends to identify opportunities for growth and particularly to support major gifts and planned giving work.
• Contribute to engagement, stewardship and donor recognition efforts
• Collaborate with relevant Thunderbird colleagues on development communications including publications, e-newsletters, and social media.
• Review and process gift agreements, ensuring compliance with internal policies.
• Work with gift processing and finance staff to ensure proper processing and recording of Thunderbird gifts being accepted and recorded by the foundation.
• Pull donor data and reports for internal meetings and fundraising strategies.
• Collaborate with the reporting team in the creation of campaign and portfolio management reports and dashboards for Thunderbird, ensuring accuracy and continuing data conversion from previous systems.
• Support and participate as an active member of the Thunderbird Engagement team and the broader ASU Foundation team.
• Other duties, as assigned to increase philanthropic support for Thunderbird and overall engagement.

What you'll need

• Collaborative style, combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to Foundation and University business and confidential prospect information
• Strong and collegial interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively in person, in writing, and by phone
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible
• Team-oriented strategist able to effectively manage complex situations involving numerous and sometimes competing constituencies
• Ability to represent the institution well
• An advocate's belief in the vision of ASU as the New American University
• Attention to detail and thoroughness in completing assigned duties
• Strong communication skills - must be able to articulate a clear vision to foundation leadership and communicate complex information via both writing and presentations
• Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects
• Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities and communication plans
• Ability to work with all levels of stakeholders - executive leadership, development officers, unit heads, deans, etc.
• Demonstrable global mindset and ability to work comfortable across different cultures and parts of the world

Relevant qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Three (3) years' experience in not-for-profit and/or related field.

Preferred education and experience

• Advanced degree
• Experience working in Salesforce, Canva and Workday

Preferred skills and abilities

• Experience living and/or working outside the U.S.
• Experience in intercultural communications
• Fluency in a second language, a strong preference

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution
• 22 days of vacation time
• 11 holidays, including your birthday
• Parental leave
• Significant tuition reductions
• Professional development is highly valued at ASU Foundation, where employees are encouraged to look across the organization and nurture new areas of interest
• $30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement