Asst Dean Development and Alumni Relations School of Law

University of Richmond

11d•$92,456 - $121,695

About The Position

The Assistant Dean for Development & Alumni Relations serves as the second-in-command and chief operations officer of the University of Richmond School of Law’s Development & Alumni Relations team, reporting to the Associate Dean for Development & Alumni Relations. The role manages three direct reports and leads annual fund, alumni relations, and donor relations activities while also maintaining a portfolio of prospective donors for major and planned gifts. Working with the Associate Dean, the Assistant Dean helps set team strategy and goals, develops special initiatives, and collaborates with colleagues across the Law School and University, donors, and external partners to advance Law School priorities. With high-level guidance from the Associate Dean, the Assistant Dean leads annual fund, alumni relations, and donor relations communications and programming. The role manages and develops staff, sets and monitors goals, advances donor-centric communications, oversees events, directs donor stewardship and recognition, and supports annual endowment and impact reporting. The Assistant Dean also manages prospective donors with potential gifts in the five- to seven-figure range, moving them through the gift cycle and securing major and planned gifts through personal outreach, proposals, and meetings. Travel is required to meet activity and fundraising goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Supervisory experience required.
Four to six years of experience in development or a career with highly transferable skills, with a proven track record of success.
Strong, demonstrated management and leadership skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work with diverse internal and external constituencies.
Knowledge of development and alumni relations best practices.
Good judgment, understanding of ethical principles in development, and discretion in interactions with the University of Richmond community.
Ability to work effectively with honesty and transparency in a collaborative, multi-level team environment.
Strong written communication, organizational, and analytical skills.
Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to manage multiple tasks, set priorities, and use data to guide decisions in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and fundraising software applications, including database management.
Valid driver’s license and ability and willingness to travel as needed.
Computer proficiency.
High degree of personal integrity.

Nice To Haves

Major and planned gift frontline fundraising experience.
Experience with Blackbaud CRM or another donor database.

Responsibilities

Manage the Director of Annual Fund & Alumni Relations, Law Development Officer, and Operations Manager, promoting performance, accountability, professional development, and alignment with institutional priorities.
Foster a supportive, accountable team culture that empowers staff to take strategic risks, discuss challenges, and own their goals.
Work with the Associate Dean to set annual fund targets and alumni relations strategy, establish individual staff goals and metrics, and monitor and report progress.
Partner with Law Communications and University Advancement to produce and share donor-centric communications about donors, philanthropy, and donor impact.
Oversee Law Development & Alumni Relations events and ensure they support team and Law School strategic goals and are executed effectively.
Develop and lead the Law School’s donor relations strategy, using judgment, best practices, and data analytics to steward and recognize donors.
Work with University Donor Relations, Law Admissions, and the Office of Financial Aid on law annual endowment and impact reports, including monitoring use of funds against donor intent.
Support the Associate Dean on donor recognition and stewardship projects.
Manage an assigned portfolio of prospective donors with five- to seven-figure gift potential through qualification, cultivation, solicitation, gift closure, and stewardship.
Learn prospective donors’ and families’ motivations and goals, and determine approaches for developing philanthropic partnerships aligned with Law School and University priorities.
Write gift proposals for prospective major and planned gift donors, using campaign and Law School resources.
Meet activity and revenue goals through personal outreach, including 50 or more meetings annually and required qualification and solicitation goals; travel as necessary.
Comply with University and Law School policies, including prospect-management data entry, metrics tracking, gift-opportunity approvals, and gift documentation.
Pursue professional development offered by the Law School, University, and external organizations such as CASE.