SUMMARY
JOB DESCRIPTION
This is a professional position responsible for building and
enhancing a comprehensive development program with a focus on
major, leadership, and principal gifts to support the initiatives
of the assigned college as well as the university. Works closely
with advancement leadership, the academic dean, and faculty to
establish and grow a robust philanthropic program within the
college. Works under moderate supervision, with moderate latitude
for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the
Associate Vice President.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree is required. Master’s degree is preferred.
Related experience may be substituted for required education on a
basis set forth by the Department of Human Resources.
Three years of related experience in major or planned gift
fundraising, sales, business development, account management,
marketing, and/or public relations is required. Successful record
of working with boards, donors, the public, and staff is required.
Demonstrated experience in cultivating and soliciting donations
from individuals and organizations at major and leadership gift
levels is required. Additional education may substitute for
experience on a basis set forth by the Department of Human
Resources.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Cultivates existing relationships to increase current
philanthropic support.
- Proactively identifies new prospects and builds relationships
with the intent of securing major, leadership, and principal
gifts.
Makes personal visits and creates proposals and written
correspondence as primary methods of donor engagement. Plans,
organizes, coordinates, and manages daily activities to maximize
gift solicitation efforts and events.
Uses all available university resources to identify, cultivate,
and solicit major gift support within reason.
Collaborates with university partners/units and other
development staff to coordinate fundraising strategies for donors
with multiple interests.
May work to design donor and volunteer cultivation events as
appropriate in order to attract and retain interest in the college
and affiliated programs.
Works daily to ensure timely and accurate completion of
proposals, pledges, and fund agreements. Maintains accurate and
timely documentation of prospect strategies and contact reports,
evaluates new prospects, and generates reports and other
correspondence as necessary to cultivate prospects.
Proactively represents the university at external events to
identify prospects and grow network of support.
Develops and manages portfolio of individual, corporate, and
foundation prospects capable of making significant gifts in order
to secure gift commitments. Portfolio size consists of a minimum of
125 major gift prospects.
Sets fiscal year goals related to key measures such as personal
contacts, number of proposed gifts, private grants, and prospect
identification in consultation with advancement leadership.
Plans and implements programs with measurable targets that are
connected to achieving fiscal year goals.
Requires frequent travel, evening, night, weekend, and
potential holiday work.
NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills, and
abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual
can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without
reasonable accommodation.
- Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, university policies and
procedures.
- Knowledge of fundraising, public relations, marketing, or
sales.
- Knowledge of fundraising techniques.
- Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, current issues facing
public universities and higher education in general.
- Organizational skills in managing projects simultaneously while
maintaining a satisfactory work product.
- Skill in using computer applications including spreadsheet,
database and word processing software.
- Ability to cultivate and solicit donations from individuals and
organizations at major and leadership gift levels.
- Ability to establish, nurture, and maintain effective and
productive relationships with internal and external contacts.
- Ability to analyze data/situations and work proactively to
solve problems.
- Ability to think strategically and analytically.
- Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written
form, using a variety of styles to achieve successful outcomes and
negotiate agreements.
- Ability to set and adapt to changing priorities while
completing assignments on time.
- Ability to recruit volunteers and manage their activities.
- Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a team and
independently with moderate supervision.
- Ability to process and handle confidential information with
discretion.
- Ability to learn office and university-specific software.
- Ability to work evenings, nights and weekends as
necessary.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANT
This position will serve as the dedicated Director of Development
for the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Safety Statement
Stephen F. Austin State University recognizes the potential for
accidents in performing job-related tasks. SFA promotes a safe
working environment. Employees will be responsible for completing
assigned tasks safely and efficiently. Employee evaluations will
include safe job performance.
This is a security-sensitive position subject to criminal record
check.
This is an IT-sensitive position subject to the Computer and
Network Security policy.