Job Summary
Under the general direction of the Executive Director of Development, the Senior Director of Development for the College of Engineering develops and executes strategies to secure philanthropic support for San José State University fundraising priorities identified by the University’s leadership in collaboration with University Advancement. Responsibilities include but are not limited to identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individuals capable of giving major gifts to…
SJSU. In support of these efforts, the Senior Director of Development initiates, maintains and strengthens close working relationships with key academic leaders, campus administrators, various stakeholders, and University Advancement colleagues.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage an assigned prospective donor portfolio of key individuals supporting university and School of Engineering fundraising priorities
- Coordinate with Prospect Research team to expand and enhance a prospect pipeline that aligns with university and campaign priorities
- Actively manage and prospect / donor portfolio with annual goals for personal visits and fundraising outcomes based on established metrics
- Develop and execute sound strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gift prospects/donors-initiate contact, develop appropriate cultivation plans, and move individuals in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure
- Present and regularly review top prospect strategies with immediate supervisor and other key team members as appropriate
- Work collaboratively with the leadership of the College, key university administrators and other stakeholders, offering them counsel on donor-centric cultivation and solicitation strategy, as appropriate
- Work collaboratively with peers in Major Gifts as well as colleagues in Annual Giving, Planned Giving and Corporate and Foundation Relations
- Work with volunteer leadership providing direction and support in maximizing the Colleges major gift fundraising potential
- Focus on securing funding for designated priorities including academic programs, endowed chairs and professorships, scholarships, unrestricted support, facility renovations, new facilities and other specified priorities
- Collaborate with stewardship colleagues with donor stewardship efforts particularly pertaining to assigned college/unit/project and help promote a culture of gratitude among internal and external constituents
- Effectively utilize the campus prospect management system to enter prospect/donor contact reports and other relevant data in a timely fashion.
- Prepare written donor cultivation and solicitation plans and proposals
- Participate in staff, functional and strategy meetings including prospect review sessions, and attend conferences, seminars, and other development training as feasible and appropriate
- Engage in campus and college activities relevant to the fundraising mission of the University
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Ability to identify donors and close gifts of six and seven figures
- Ability to navigate the institution/college and make the appropriate match for donor interests
- Ability to engage and support volunteer leadership with their efforts in fundraising, consultation, and advocacy
- Skilled in networking and opening doors as well as developing donor-centric cultivation and solicitation strategies
- Deep appreciation and understanding of the academic enterprise and the ability to articulate academic values internally and externally
- Strong verbal communication and strong writing skills and the ability to work as part of a collaborative team
- Unquestionable integrity and commitment to professional ethics
- High level of initiative, attention to detail and organization skills
- Ability to responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
- Skilled in successfully managing multiple projects on tight deadlines and under pressure in a dynamic and open environment
- Ability to define problems, gather data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
- Proficient in Google Suite and Microsoft Office Suite and ability to utilize fundraising database programs, and learn new tech platforms for project management
- Demonstrate spirit of flexibility and strong customer service ethic
- Ability to responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
- Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree
- Minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising
- Experience developing donor centric solicitation strategies leading to closing major gifts
- Evidence of strong written communication skills; ability to write clearly and persuasively
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's Degree
- Experience developing donor solicitation strategies for an engineering entity, leading to closing major gifts.
- Fundraising experience in capital or comprehensive campaign setting, preferably at an institution of higher education
- Experience engaging and supporting volunteer leadership in their fundraising efforts