Regional Director of Development, Research Philanthropy (Remote)

Regional Director of Development, Research Philanthropy (Remote)

Hiring Range

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The salary range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $105,624 to $148,000.

Job Closing Date

This is a 3-year, renewable contract appointment.

Residents of the Greater Bay Area of Northern California will be given the highest priority.

This position is considered 'remote' and will maintain a flexible schedule where business travel is required within the Bay Area and other California locations.

The initial applicant review will take place on or around June 8th and posting will close upon selection.

About UC Merced

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and one of the youngest universities to be designated an R1 research university. With approximately 9,100 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced is a smaller, more intimate campus compared to its sister campuses, while equipped and staffed as a cutting edge, 21st century research institution. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships and a growing community in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked in the top 30 among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and #1 for social mobility by the Wall Street Journal, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide world class educational opportunities to dynamic and enterprising students in the Valley and throughout the state. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced has launched a rigorous medical education program that will supply the Valley with culturally competent providers dedicated to improving local access to quality care. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and is accelerating the continued economic development of the region.

About the Job

The Director of Development focused on Research and Economic Development will manage a portfolio of prospective and current donors and play a critical role in advancing the fundraising strategy in support of the Office of Research and Economic Development (ORED). This position is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting philanthropic investments that align with UC Merced's research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development priorities.

The Director will employ a variety of strategies to expand the donor base and build long-term, strategic partnerships that advance the University's research enterprise. This includes developing mutually beneficial relationships with foundations, corporations and other philanthropic partners that result in significant support for research initiatives, centers and institutes, faculty scholarship, graduate and postdoctoral training, and infrastructure that enables discovery and innovation.

The Director is expected to take a highly relational and strategic approach to fundraising by developing and sustaining strong relationships with donors and prospects locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally; creating meaningful engagement opportunities that align donor interests with institutional priorities; and successfully closing five-, six-, and seven-figure gifts. The position will work closely with ORED leadership to translate complex research priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities.

This role will report to the Executive Director of Institutional Giving and collaborate with frontline development colleagues, and campus partners to cultivate prospects, coordinate strategies, and secure philanthropic investments that support UC Merced's research and economic development mission. The Director must also coordinate with Organized Research Units (ORUs), research centers and institutes, and other ORED units to ensure a cohesive, strategic, and consistent approach to donor engagement and communications.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Serves as the front-line development officer and lead contact for identified donors and prospects to UC Merced. Manages a portfolio of 50-100 prospects and develops strategies to ensure team goals and the following individual monthly activity benchmarks are met.
2. Manages, develops and implements cultivation and solicitation strategy for donors and prospects, including and not limited to: meetings, campus and lab tours, student testimonials, letters of introduction, proposals, recognition opportunities, general correspondence and reports.
3. Collaborates with colleagues in development, administration, faculty and staff to identify funding opportunities.
4. Meets regularly with Vice Chancellor for Research and ORED leadership to ensure alignment with ORED strategic goals. Attends ORED leadership meetings.
5. Conducts proactive research, prospecting and networking to grow support.
6. Generates proposals for funding. Develops compelling cases to align with funding priorities.
7. Advises senior leadership on engagement opportunities for participation and visibility; utilize current affiliations and contacts to expand reach; attend community events and networking opportunities on behalf of the university to identify, cultivate and steward donors thereby increasing the reach of UC Merced.
8. Ensures gifts are properly implemented and dispersed as intended. Creates impact and stewardship reports for donors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing or related area from an accredited university; and
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible prospect management and successful development experience or combination of equivalent training/ experience; and
• 5+ years' experience with corporate relations and corporate giving (required)
• Strong leadership skills, qualities and methodologies.
• Advanced knowledge of all aspects of higher-education fund raising and understanding of the organization with the ability to articulate its vision, mission, goals, funding priorities, objectives, achievements and infrastructure.
• Proven experience and understanding of fundraising, donor relations, moves management and public relations concepts, principles, techniques, procedures and practices.
• Advanced knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, et cetera.
• Strong written, oral and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to build and maintain effective working relationships at all organizational levels and with external constituencies.
• Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills, including aptitude in creative and effective decision-making and problem identification, avoidance and resolution.
• Demonstrated project management skills.
• Skills to meet or exceed fundraising goals and objectives.
• Ability to work with senior leadership (administrative and academic), and External Relations colleagues, to achieve goals and meet fundraising targets.
• Advanced skills in making persuasive and compelling presentations of campus goals/objectives and securing gifts.
• Ability to travel with and provide staff support to campus leaders and trustees, as needed.
• Represent UC Merced at internal, external and third-party events (including evenings, weekends, and possibly some holidays).
• Perform other development-related duties as assigned.
• The ideal candidate will demonstrate initiative and must be strategic, well-organized, and goal-oriented, with an enthusiastic and positive personality, strong interpersonal skills, the ability to manage complex projects and maintain a collaborative work-style.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and develop long-term relationships with colleagues, partners and donors/prospects.
• Ability to work with colleagues across campuses, prioritizing time, and managing multiple projects, priorities and deadlines.
• Motivated to work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Articulate with persuasive written and oral presentation skills.
• Genuine affinity for UC Merced - able to learn and understand the University's priorities and to advocate and articulate them to donors and prospects.
• Collaborative problem solver that brings an entrepreneurial approach to designing personal donor engagement strategies.
• Innovative, self-motivated leader. Creative, positive outlook, and sense of humor. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, work ethic. Time-sensitive, goal oriented, deadline driven. Ability to handle highly sensitive to confidential information.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, database software (experience with Raiser's Edge preferred) and other basic COMPUTER SKILLS
• Demonstrated ability to personally and effectively cultivate and close major gifts of $25,000 to $1,000,000 and beyond.
• Willingness to travel as business requires.