Associate Director of Development
About the Department:
The mission of George Mason University’s College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations is to build strong, lifelong relationships with CEC alumni and constituents while matching their philanthropic interests with the university’s aspirations and priorities. The CEC Advancement team will create opportunities that promote and support the strategic plan of CEC and the university through the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors.
About the Position:
The Associate Director of Development supports the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) in identifying and implementing strategies for success in securing philanthropic support for priorities. This position is responsible for cultivating meaningful relationships with potential and current lead annual and major gift ($25,000+) level donors to the University. The Associate Director of Development manages a portfolio of donors and prospective donors and is responsible for facilitating all phases of the gift cycle, including initiating contact, cultivating and moving potential donors to solicitation and closure, creating solicitations, writing proposals, and stewarding donors. This position works collaboratively with the CEC Advancement and Alumni Relations team, key volunteers, college leadership, and faculty to cultivate and solicit donors for CEC priorities.
This position is expected to travel as needed and work occasional evenings and weekends.
Responsibilities:
Maintains Personal Portfolio and Supports Comprehensive Fundraising Program:
- Carries and maintains a portfolio of 90 to 100 prospects that are being moved through the donor engagement process culminating in lead annual and major gifts;
- Secures financial support for the university by performing discovery work through one-on-one visits with annual fund and leadership annual giving donors, including upgrades of mid-level donors;
- Meets or exceeds metrics for visits, asks, and dollars raised, as determined by Advancement;
- Develops strategies to support the cultivation and solicitation of a portfolio of prospects and donors;
- Maintains ongoing communication with prospects and donors through written correspondence and personal visits;
- Proactively identifies, develops, and delivers engagement opportunities to donors to ensure the maximization of their financial and non-financial support;
- Researches, develops, and writes funding proposals, appeal letters, and reports as required;
- Encourages donor participation in donor recognition events and fundraising events with the goal of donor engagement and support;
- Assists as needed in other College development events, programs, and activities, some of which occur on evenings or weekends;
- Works with the College’s departments to include donors in department-level events such as public lectures and seminars;
- Utilizes data-driven reporting, engages and moves alumni through engagement opportunities, individual appeals, recognition events, and advisory board work;
- Oversees scholarships, to include engaging, cultivating, and recognizing endowed and current use scholarship donors, and ensuring scholarships are awarded appropriately;
- Works with the Advancement team to implement a strategy for donor relations and stewardship;
- Maintains accurate and timely records using university development data management and reporting systems;
- Follows George Mason policies and procedures, maintains files, and provides annual projections; and
- Engages in other related duties as assigned.
Coordination with Central Advancement:
- Coordinates fundraising with other departments and utilizes services as appropriate;
- Ensures consistent and adequate communication between the school/unit and Central Advancement; and
- Works closely with Central Advancement services including, but not limited to, Planned Giving, Annual Giving, Parents and Family Philanthropy, University Priorities, Alumni Relations, Communications, Systems, Operations, Donor Relations, Gifts and Records, etc.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
- Generally, a minimum of five (5) years prior fundraising experience in successfully cultivating and securing major gifts of $25,000 or more;
- Demonstrated success with face-to-face personal solicitation and portfolio management;
- Consistent record of building solid relationships with prospects and donors;
- Understanding of business processes of advancement operations including prospect management, donor relations, planned giving, and gift processing;
- Strong interpersonal, verbal, listening, and written communication skills;
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint);
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple priorities;
- Ability to effectively manage a mixed portfolio of approximately 125 individual, corporate, and prospective donors involving travel and considerable face-to-face meetings;
- Demonstrated aptitude for representing an organization in a professional and highly effective manner;
- Ability to work effectively and respectfully with diverse groups of constituents and colleagues;
- Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality with respect to prospects and donors; and
- High level of creativity, initiative, and motivation.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in related field;
- Experience in a higher education environment;
- Familiarity with CRM fundraising software; and
- An understanding of, and appreciation for, higher education institutional advancement.
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