Associate Director of Advancement, College of Education

Florida Atlantic University•Boca Raton, FL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Florida Atlantic University seeks an experienced fundraising leader to join its relationship-focused, results-oriented, donor-centered advancement team. The College of Education offers a comprehensive academic experience for students pursuing careers in education and human services, with five dynamic departments and accredited programs. The College prepares future educators, leaders, clinicians, and researchers to meet evolving needs. The university's public laboratory schools serve as living laboratories, and the College's Centers include Pine Jog Environmental Education Center, the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, and the Communication Disorders Clinic. The Associate Director of Advancement for the College of Education works collaboratively with the Dean, Associate and Assistant Deans, and faculty, under the supervision of an Assistant Vice President for Institutional Advancement or a Director of Advancement. This role involves planning and implementing a comprehensive strategic fundraising plan to meet the College of Education's missions and activities, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of donors capable of making five- to six-figure gifts. The position offers commitment to advancement from the President, a seasoned Vice President of Institutional Advancement, an innovative Dean, and opportunities for fundraising leaders to contribute to Florida Atlantic’s next campaign.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree and three to five years of fundraising experience is required.
Able to demonstrate measurable success in closing five- to six-figure gifts from individual donors, including alumni and friends, and/or institutional donors such as foundations and corporations.
Demonstrable experience developing fundraising strategies in partnership with senior academic and advancement leadership.
Demonstrated analytical skills related to complex donor research and information.
Proficiency in using standard computer applications, including word-processing, spreadsheet, CRM software, calendaring, email, and online applications, and a working knowledge of social media.
Collaborative, goal-oriented, strategic, and highly motivated working style.
The ability to demonstrate leadership, take initiative, problem-solve, act independently and as a member of a team, successfully collaborate, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and prioritize, with a positive attitude and desire to learn and grow as part of a team.
The ability to demonstrate strategic thinking, good judgment, maturity, and personal integrity.
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, and an ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with a diverse campus community including senior administrators, faculty, staff, and students, as well as donors, prospects, alumni, and community leaders.
Ability to use tact and diplomacy to handle a broad range of high-level and sensitive situations with diverse personalities, and the ability to adeptly respond to challenges.
Strong organizational and administrative skills, with a demonstrated track record of establishing effective systems that foster collaboration and improve efficiency.

Nice To Haves

Raiser's Edge experience is helpful.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement comprehensive cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for individual major, legacy, and principal gift prospects assigned.
Work both independently and in concert with Institutional Advancement colleagues to implement strategies leading to direct solicitation of five- to six-figure gifts.
Build a strong pipeline of alumni and other prospective donors to expand the portfolio of qualified prospects for gifts of five- to six-figure amounts.
Create and execute solicitation and closure strategies for major gifts aligned with the College of Education and University fundraising priorities and campaigns, measured against the attainment of personal metrics associated with the position.
Collaborate with the Dean, department chairs, and faculty to identify funding priorities, assess relevance and feasibility for proposed project/priority, and develop and manage comprehensive strategies to secure gifts for selected priorities.
Devise individualized involvement/engagement strategies for all prospects using an approach that ensures that most highly rated prospects receive the most attention.
Advise the Institutional Advancement’s Legacy Giving Office of prospects with an interest in a planned gift and work collaboratively to devise an overall strategy for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding planned gift donors.
In concert with Institutional Advancement colleagues, oversee the preparation of necessary materials including concept papers, funding proposals, briefings for FAU leadership and board members when necessary, and scheduled stewardship reports, for all assigned prospects.
Identify prospects to participate on boards, committees, or other programs that promote the cultivation process.
Assist the Advancement team on special assignments to ensure long-term donor engagement and retention and support the Annual Giving team to successfully implement the College’s annual campaign.
Partner with the Donor Relations and Stewardship Office to ensure appropriate stewardship is provided to donors on existing endowment and current-use funds.
Facilitate effective communication between the College of Education and its programs, and the division of Institutional Advancement.
Participate and assist in planning signature events at the University, within the College, and in the community that provide opportunities for strategic engagement with prospects and donors.
Work closely with the College’s Dean and manage the advancement/fundraising function of the College of Education Advisory Board; act as a liaison to the Board and to the Office of Institutional Advancement on policies, procedures, and approvals.
In conjunction with the College’s scholarship contacts, oversee that all donor outcomes related to scholarships, such as thank-you notes, event attendance, and in-person visits, are executed in a timely manner.
Participate in weekly meetings with the Dean to discuss donors and other fundraising priorities with the College of Education.
Work closely with a team of advancement and alumni engagement colleagues in the College of Education.

Benefits

Medical (PPO/HMO $50 per month single & $180 per month family)
Dental
Vision
Life Insurance
Flexible Spending plans
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
State retirement options including tax-deferred annuities and Roth 403(b) plans.
State employees Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
Sick Leave Pool Program.
Paid time off (eligible employees) including vacation and sick leave, 1 personal day, 9 paid holidays, and paid winter break (at President’s discretion).
Paid Community Engagement Volunteer Service Day
Employee Educational Scholarship Program (EESP) for eligible Staff/Faculty - Tuition assistance after 6 months of full-time employment.
For in-unit faculty, the EESP program may be extended to spouses and dependent children (eligibility rules apply).