"Executive Director of Development & Alumni"

Executive Director of Development & Alumni

Company: Mississippi University for Women

Job Location: Category: Other Executive

Type: Full-Time

Job Summary:

The Executive Director for Development & Alumni directs the administration that includes development & alumni and serves as the Executive Director of the MUW Foundation.

Essential Duties:

• Oversees, coordinates, and evaluates the work of the office of Development and Alumni Relations to ensure the achievement of fundraising, alumni engagement, and stewardship goals.
• Directly manages the Directors of Alumni Relations, Planned Giving, Career Services & Professional Development and Foundation Accountant.
• Provides guidance and performance evaluations to Development and Alumni Relations staff, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented team environment.
• Serves as the primary administrative liaison to the MUW Foundation Board of Directors and supports the Director of Alumni & Stewardship Engagement in coordinating the work of the MUW Alumni Association Board.
• Seeks major gifts. Serves as University liaison to the community.
• Under the direction of the University President, plans, initiates, and oversees all programs of fund raising for the University and Foundation.
• Leads the planning, initiation and implementation of all fundraising activities for the University and Foundation under the direction of the University President. Identifies of prospective donors. Cultivates, solicits and stewards major gift prospects in collaboration with staff and volunteers. Drafts and reviews donor agreements, ensuring appropriate documentation and alignment with donor intent and university policy.
• Participates in regular meetings of the University Administrative Council, President’s Cabinet, and other institutional committees as assigned.
• Analyzes financial statements, donor fund balances, and departmental budgets. Provides reports as required for the IHL Board and other university stakeholders.
• Serves as a University ambassador to the community, fostering strategic partnerships and increasing visibility among alumni, donors, and civic leaders.
• Provides leadership and oversight for the Office of Career Services and Professional Development, ensuring alignment with alumni and employer engagement strategies to support student success and lifelong career readiness.
• Extensive travel at times is required; as well as occasional night/weekend responsibilities.
• Completes other assignments as required for the Division for Institutional Advancement or as indicated by the President of the University.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred; seasoned knowledge equivalent to a master’s degree required
• More than 5 years related experience
• Experience in higher education, in particular any experience with development, alumni and career service areas

Skills & Abilities:

• Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office software applications; proficiency with alumni/donor databases (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, or similar CRM systems) and comfort with data management, reporting, and integrity standards.
• Fundraising experience in the area of individual gifts development, annual or corporate and foundation giving is desirable. Familiarity with planned giving concepts is a plus.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills, with a record of effective staff and program management.
• Experience designing, implementing, and evaluating programs and events, with a track record of innovation and growth in alumni engagement.
• This position requires a valid driver’s license.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. Additionally, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Occasionally, the employee will be required to lift up to 10 pounds.

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