Assistant Director of Development

University of Arkansas • Fayetteville, AR

14d • $65,000 - $70,000

About The Position

J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas is seeking a dynamic Assistant Director of Development (ADOD). Fulbright College is comprised of three schools and 16 academic departments, offering degrees in the fine arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. With a current enrollment of 7,000 undergraduate students, more than 850 graduate students, and 80,000 living alumni throughout the world, the college provides the majority of the university’s core curriculum coursework. The ADOD for Fulbright College will be an integral member of the Division of Advancement reporting to the Director of Development (DOD) for Fulbright College. Embedded in the Fulbright College, this position will be responsible for executing fundraising initiatives to support the university and college priorities. The position requires a dynamic and collegial individual with demonstrated success and experience in higher education, donor/stakeholder engagement, and stewardship programs. In consultation with the Sr. DOD and DOD, the ADOD will assist and support the Fulbright team in achieving individual and team member metrics, priority initiatives, personally scheduled visits, travel, proposal submissions, and contributed revenue. With a focus on gifts of $50,000+, the ADOD will maintain a balanced portfolio across the U.S., participate in an effective stewardship program, assist with the dean’s development and external relations agenda when appropriate, and support the Fulbright College senior-level university administrators, faculty, staff, and volunteer leaders in appropriate activities. Additionally, the ADOD will support planned giving for the College, in coordination with the Executive Director of Planned Giving, and support the Arkansas Alumni Association in efforts that involve Fulbright College constituents.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
• Proven track record of at least t wo years of experience engaging with external stakeholders in a higher education setting or related non-higher education setting (donors, clients, advisory board members, volunteers, etc)
• Experience managing data, executive correspondence, and communications
• Experience and proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite
• Demonstrated energy and passion for major gift fundraising, Fulbright College, and the University
• Ability to travel and work irregular hours as needed with commitment to one or two multi-day trips across the U.S. per month sufficient to meet the metrics
• Mission-aligned with the University’s pillars: student success, research excellence, and employer of choice initiatives
• Demonstrated advanced verbal and written communication skills
• Guided by the highest integrity
• Goal-driven as evidenced by persistence and successful outcomes
• Value diversity of individuals, experiences, and perspectives
• Special event management
• Ability to confidently represent the College and University to the public in a professional manner
• Strategic planning and deadline management
• Solid relationship-building skills, and respectful/thoughtful response to input and interface with supervisors, division colleagues, alumni, donors, volunteers, leading faculty, administrators, and trustees
• Ability to receive and provide constructive feedback to advance fundraising initiatives
• Ability to place team interest above self

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated fundraising success in a higher education or non-profit organization
• Familiarity with a university campus
• Experience supporting and collaborating with academic administrators, faculty, and staff
• Familiarity with business analysis in fundraising
• Graduate of the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville
• Proven track record of an existing network of relationships with current and prospective benefactors to the College and University
• Master’s degree from an accredited university

Responsibilities

• In consultation with the DOD, the ADOD will manage their own portfolio, assist with team achievements and support the College’s approved fundraising goals and strategies.
• Moreover, the ADOD will be responsible for creating and delivering proposals and gift agreements, composing and sending acknowledgements, and overseeing accounting and gift compliance requirements consistent with Advancement Division and University policies, procedures, and practices.
• Create strong and collegial relationships with the Dean, Department Chairs, Faculty, and Staff of the College and develop a high level of awareness about the College, including, but not limited to, its academic course offerings, research initiatives and achievements, public service activities, and student and alumni demographics.
• Meet performance metrics: timely major gift proposal delivery, timely completion of Reports of Contact (ROC) with a follow-up “next step” developing solicitation strategies for their portfolio, planning quarterly travel (every three-months basis), and executing travel plans.
• Develop strong and collegial relationships with Advancement Division team members.
• An innovative problem-solver and entrepreneurial thinker to help achieve College and campus fundraising initiatives and to enhance and improve all fundraising operations of the College and University.
• Possess proposal writing and editing skills to create proposals and reports.
• Effectively communicate (verbally and in writing) with colleagues, donors, alumni, and constituents with professionalism, compassion, and representing the College and University in the best possible way.
• Effectively managing a portfolio, including, but not limited to, consulting and coordinating with the Advancement Division research team to identify, research, and qualify new prospects.
• Engaging with and involving Advancement and College-level administrators in meaningful donor cultivation and engagement activities when appropriate.
• Travel the U.S. broadly and work irregular hours whenever needed to achieve fundraising goals.
• Model professionalism and a successful work ethic to create a work environment characterized by positivity, productivity, collegiality, and accountability to serve the best interests of the College and the University.
• Perform administrative duties as assigned and adhere to Fulbright College and University Development policies and procedures.
• Communicate challenges, concerns, and issues that may arise to the Sr. DOD, DOD, and others as appropriate to support the fundraising goals of the College.
• Build and nurture a “Circle of Safety" for all team members in the College and the Advancement Division. Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Benefits

• The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

What This Job Offers

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