"Director of Development"

Job Description Summary

The Director of Development personally promotes and fosters strategic relationships with individuals, private and community organizations while actively soliciting new major gifts that support the University’s institutional priorities. The incumbent will manage and grow an assigned list of donors and prospects, both local and regional, with a special emphasis on securing major gifts to support the overall mission of the institution of up to $1,000,000 and beyond. He or she will also be directly responsible for raising funds for other opportunities across the institution when appropriate and as directed by University Advancement leadership. In collaboration with the Associate Vice President, Vice President, President and University leadership, identify, research and secure funding to support major gifts ranging from institutional to departmental funding priorities. He or she will play an active role in helping to research, qualify, contact and cultivate new, mutually-beneficial relationships throughout Inland Southern California, the broader region, and in areas where alumni are located.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• The successful candidate must have a minimum of three to five years of experience in fundraising, preferably in a higher education setting. He/she should be able to demonstrate successful experience and effectiveness in prospect identification, relationship building, and solicitation.
• The successful candidate must possess excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal and organizational skills; have a strong attention to detail; be goal and results-oriented; self-motivated; and possess the ability to make independent decisions. He/she must be a collaborative and team-oriented individual; demonstrate sound judgment when dealing with a wide range of relationships and situations; and possess the ability to maintain enthusiasm for hard work, changing priorities, and multiple deadlines. He/she must have the ability to interact well with a diverse community of faculty, students, alumni, business leaders, and other external constituents.
• The successful candidate should demonstrate commitment to the University’s core values of Ethical Reasoning, Service to Community, Lifelong Learning, and Diversity and Inclusivity.
• A strong comprehension in the fundamental elements of fundraising, including, but not limited to – Prospect research, cold calling, proposal development and solicitations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree.
• Working knowledge of Banner, FPM or other advancement software platforms.
• A comprehensive understanding of the full spectrum of giving ranging from the annual fund, major gifts to planned giving.
• Direct fundraising experience in a college or university setting.

Specific Duties

• Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Development, the incumbent will have aggressive personal fundraising goals and will play a key role in helping to ensure the University reaches its overall annual fundraising objectives. They will manage a comprehensive personal strategic fundraising plan and list of donors to support a major-gifts-focused culture of philanthropy across the institution, lead new levels of engagement with current and prospective donors, and work towards significantly increasing contributed revenue to meet the demand of the organization’s growth.
  Percentage of Time: 50%
• The incumbent will work closely with other units across University Advancement to support and close gifts for annual fundraising opportunities, including but not limited to – The Annual Scholarship Gala, the Golf Tournament, Homecoming and other events that are aligned with or are in support of our mission, vision, and fundraising priorities.
  Percentage of Time: 25%
• The incumbent will develop effective and persuasive fundraising materials that articulate the University’s mission and programs with a strong case for support. Conduct donor prospect research, prepare briefing reports, and recommend strategies, acting as consultant for the President, Vice President, and Associate Vice President as needed. Researches data for proposal development. Develops, prepares and presents formal fundraising proposals for major donors and prospects. Ensure compliance with all University fundraising policies, goals and procedures, including responsibility for following all protocols for prospect and donor management established and implemented by University Advancement. They will represent the University of La Verne Advancement at external events and meetings. Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.
  Percentage of Time: 15%
• The Director of Development will create and implement an annual fundraising development plan to meet personal and departmental goals, working adaptively as the organization and donor portfolio grows by managing the donor engagement cycle (research, cultivate, ask, steward). In partnership with the Associate Vice President, they will set goals for each donor, assigning and managing appropriate “asks” throughout the year.
  Percentage of Time: 10%

Salary Range

Maximum: $103,123.55
Minimum: $94,151.48

Benefits Summary

Salary will be commensurate with experience and internal equity. Benefits include a comprehensive health and wellness plan, tuition remission program for employee, spouse, and dependent children, a generous contribution to the University’s 403B retirement plan, and a generous time off plan.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion and clearance of a background check and employment verification.

Location

La Verne Main Campus

Close Date:
Open Until Filled: No

To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply on line at the following link: http://laverne.edu