Assistant Director of Development

Texas A&M University System • Victoria, TX

8d

About The Position

This role offers a unique opportunity to combine expertise across important subdisciplines within the Division of University Advancement. The role demands attention to detail, creative thinking, and a team and collaborative mindset. The ideal candidate will be able to build and maintain meaningful relationships that ultimately benefit the students and university long-term. The ADOD will be responsible for developing philanthropic support from individuals, corporations, and foundations at the major gift level ($10,000+), while also being a proactive and self-driven utility player willing to support the overall needs of the division, other teammates, and colleagues campuswide in areas related to community outreach, advisory board engagement, alumni and family engagement, annual giving, student retention, special events, stewardship, and donor relations among others.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in related field.
• Two years of related experience.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proficiency with fundraising databases (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, Advance, Slate, EverTrue or equivalent).
• Commitment to ethical fundraising and leadership principles.
• Strong personal accountability and initiative that drives action and results.
• Strong leadership with the ability to influence and motivate teams to success.
• Strong civic or community-minded individual who is inspired by being part of something bigger than themselves and contributing to an organization’s overall success.

Nice To Haves

• Minimum two (2) years of experience within an advancement/development office, nonprofit, or state agency.
• At least one (1) year of direct frontline fundraising experience with demonstrated success in securing major gifts and/or institutional funding from individuals, corporate and/or foundation donors.
• Experience with proposal development, evaluation, and grant reporting.
• Fundraising experience in a higher education setting, preferably at a public university.
• Experience and proven success collaborating with university or community stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience supervising staff or volunteers and building or growing a development program.
• Familiarity with the Victoria philanthropic landscape and/or regional donor networks.
• Strong verbal and written communicator who has the ability to understand and respond appropriately to a specific audience’s needs while also being persuasive and innovative.
• Strong customer service background comfortable with managing a variety of requests, personalities, and expectations.
• Familiarity with state or federal government affairs and appropriations processes.

Responsibilities

• Individual, Corporate, and Foundation Relations and Fundraising (75%): Develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive individual, corporate, and foundation relations major gifts program that considers the needs and interests of the university’s philanthropic partners. Work with Deans, volunteers, students, faculty, and staff to promote and grow a robust culture of philanthropy to meet the financial goals of the institution. Serve as a liaison for major gifts and advancement efforts involving multiple units and/or university-wide programs. With a commitment to values-based fundraising, the ADOD will identify, cultivate, develop proposals, solicit, and steward individual, corporate, and foundation prospects and donors – ensuring a reciprocal relationship for annual, major, and planned gifts. Prepare and deliver compelling proposals, presentations, and reports that are data-informed and focused on the impact of philanthropy. Partner with senior leadership and faculty/staff to align institutional priorities with funding opportunities.
• Team Leadership & Engagement (20%): Partner on the production of timely reports to inform fundraising strategy and decision-making. Partner with the Grant Facilitator and campus subject matter experts to collaborate on high-quality funding proposals and reports. Track grant deadlines and reporting requirements to ensure compliance. Regularly document and update actions, interactions and engagement with donors and prospects in the alumni and donor CRM. Serve as a thought partner to advancement leadership regarding strategic talent management and resource development.
• Engagement & Events (5%): Represent A&M-Victoria at strategic campus, community, and regional events to build visibility and expand the university’s reach in pursuit of philanthropic investment. Partner with the advancement team, forthcoming A&M-Victoria Foundation Board, President’s Regional Advisory Board (PRAB), college advisory boards, and campus colleagues to plan, support and/or execute occasional cultivation and stewardship events that deepen donor relationships and celebrate impact. Evening and weekend attendance may be expected. Manage a robust professional development portfolio that may include training, professional organizations, conferences, self-guided resources, networking, and volunteer opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level