Director of Development CA

Under the direction of the Chief Advancement Officer, the Director of Development is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and transformational gifts in support of the University's strategic priorities. With a primary focus on the California campus, this role serves as the lead fundraiser for a multi year, multi million dollar campaign supporting California's program expansion and works closely with university leadership, donors, volunteers, and advancement colleagues to achieve fundraising goals as well as time spent managing a primarily west coast based portfolio of ATSU donors and prospects.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage a portfolio of approximately 100-125 major gift prospects, executing the full range of fundraising activities including prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, recognition, and stewardship. This includes prospects based in other states as well as California.
• Develop and implement strategies to increase major gift support from individual, corporate, and foundation donors capable of giving $25,000 or more.
• Create customized donor proposals and supporting materials aligned with donor interests and University priorities.
• Serve as the lead fundraiser for the California campus multi year campaign, including identifying new prospects, developing compelling proposals, assisting with case statements, and securing transformational gifts in collaboration with University leadership.
• Partner directly with the President of the Arizona and California Campus as well as the Dean of the College for Healthy Communities, serving as the advancement liaison to articulate fundraising priorities and participate in high level donor solicitations.
• Provide leadership and support to the Dean's Council, organizing and directing fundraising efforts, volunteer engagement, and related activities.
• In collaboration with the Chief Advancement Officer, develop and implement a strategic major gifts plan, including metrics for donor visits, solicitations, and dollars raised.
• Work collaboratively with other ATSU gift officers to achieve individual and team fundraising goals, reviewed on a weekly and quarterly basis.
• Support ATSU Alumni Relations and donor engagement initiatives as assigned.
• Maintain accurate and timely donor records in the CRM system, utilizing the University's Moves Management process to document donor strategies and interactions.
• Assist in identifying and writing donor impact stories for University publications and communications.
• Align University funding needs identified in the ATSU Strategic Plan with donor interests and philanthropic goals.
• Maintain working knowledge of estate planning, bequests, corporate and foundation giving, and annual fund strategies.
• Represent the University at conventions, campus activities, alumni events, and fundraising functions.
• Host and engage visiting alumni and friends of the University.
• Travel (40%) as required to cultivate relationships and secure major gifts.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Advancement Officer or designee.

Requirements

Required Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in educational or healthcare nonprofit development.
• Demonstrated success in the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects.
• Proven experience building and sustaining a pipeline of donors capable of leadership, major, and transformational gifts.
• Strong leadership, relationship building, written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience directing all activities associated with securing major gifts from alumni, parents, friends, foundations, and corporations.
• Ability, under the direction of the Chief Advancement Officer, to lead and execute a multi year, multi million dollar campaign supporting the expansion of the California campus.
• Demonstrated success working with donors, volunteers, boards, fundraising committees, and internal associates.
• Experience planning, developing, initiating, presenting, and monitoring University level giving programs.
• Knowledge of 501(c)(3) regulations, general fundraising principles, and experience working with donors and their advisors to successfully negotiate and close major gifts.
• Ability to work effectively and collegially within a complex academic environment.
• Proficiency with CRM and donor database systems, and ability to operate standard computer platforms including Microsoft, Google, and Zoom.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in higher education and/or healthcare fundraising strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of health education institutions.
• Proven record of successfully collaborating with individuals and organizations to achieve fundraising outcomes.