"Chief Development Officer"

Job Details

Position Overview:

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) will be responsible for providing executive leadership in development, and institutional advancement. The CDO will establish objectives and develop strategies in the areas of fundraising, major gifts and gift planning, foundation and corporate relations, annual giving, communications and marketing, alumni and constituent relations, public relations and capital campaigns. As the Chief Development Officer, this person will work closely with the President in developing the strategic institutional narrative and development plan for advancing the University.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership of all development and fundraising initiatives and activities, media relations and external communications.
• Establish and implement strategic collaborations and partnerships with business and corporate institutions to advance the University’s vision and mission.
• Develop a university marketing strategy for image repair and reputation restoration and integrate the marketing strategy across all institutional constituent groups.
• Maintain a dynamic portfolio of high-net-worth individuals and secure major, capital, and planned gifts, as well as advanced annual gifts and endowment support.
• Participate in strategic discussions and develop programs to strengthen the financial resources of the University.
• Create and execute fundraising plans that utilize best practices in annual, major, and planned gift programs to meet fundraising goals.
• Ensure dynamic processes in all phases of donor qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Prepare for the upcoming campaign through comprehensive and effective campaign planning and execution.
• Hire, train, inspire and guide direct reports and the entire advancement team toward accountable, goal-oriented outcomes.
• Develop annual plans and budgets for Alumni and Parent Relations, Annual Fund, Gift Planning, Comprehensive Campaigns, Major Gifts, private Grants Development, Stewardship and Advancement Services.
• Enhance the culture of philanthropy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The Chief Development Officer will possess a keen understanding of the current and salient issues in modern American higher education with a knowledge and appreciation for the challenges and opportunities facing students of colors and historically black colleges and universities. The incumbent will possess excellent oral and written communications skills and excellent project management skills. The position requires the ability to analyze and synthesize data, establish priorities, develop and participate in service area social networks, design and produce publications, write proposals and interpret and comply with rules and regulations. The Chief Development officer must be politically astute, and an excellent communicator, both written and verbal. The Chief Development officer must demonstrate substantial planning and fundraising skills, possess a thorough knowledge and understanding of Microsoft Office, cost/fund accounting, marketing/sales theory and practice and the characteristics of students. Additionally, the Chief Development officer must have excellent supervision, leadership, team-building, negotiating and contracting skill.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related field, higher education administration, public administration, organizational management, or business preferred.
• Must have five or more years of increasingly responsible and direct experience in higher education fundraising activities.
• Must have five years of supervision and team-building experience and an appreciation for the University and its role in a dynamic society Previous leadership and management experience.
• MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint skills required.
• Database management (Raisers Edge, etc…).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Wilberforce University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse community. All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. The University does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas for this position.