Assoc. Director of Development, Graduate School of Oceanography

University Of Rhode Islan•South Kingstown, RI

3d•$75,000 - $85,000•Onsite

About The Position

The URI Foundation (URIF) is seeking an enthusiastic and energetic Associate Director of Development for the Graduate School of Oceanography. This role contributes to a strategic, comprehensive, and proactive fundraising program primarily for the Graduate School of Oceanography, aiming to maximize charitable contributions. The position requires an entrepreneurial, creative, and robust approach to identify, cultivate, and solicit potential donors. This is an exciting opportunity for a talented and collaborative professional to contribute to the growth of URI’s development organization and optimize philanthropic support from alumni, parents, and friends. The ideal candidate is passionate about education, self-motivated, driven, highly organized, technologically savvy, entrepreneurial, an experienced relationship builder, an effective sales professional, and familiar with higher-education fundraising.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree is required.
A minimum of three to five years of development or related experience.
A track record of success in relationship management, development, and/or sales will be considered.

Nice To Haves

Experience in higher education and/or an ocean or science-related field is desired.
Experience working with volunteer boards is preferred.

Responsibilities

Identifies, qualifies, cultivates, and manages a portfolio of 125+ donors and prospective donors with the inclination and capacity to make gifts at the $100,000 level and higher.
Focuses 75% of effort on major gift discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and closure.
Reviews and analyzes the currently identified prospect pool and portfolio.
Devises individual involvement/engagement strategies for all prospects using a “top-down” approach.
Implements comprehensive cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for assigned prospects, working independently and with colleagues and volunteers to close leadership and major gifts.
Assists in elevating sustained current-use support and raises awareness of URI’s Graduate School of Oceanography-related initiatives.
Becomes a subject-matter specialist within URI’s School of Oceanography.
Collaborates with the College of the Environment and Life Sciences and College of Engineering as needed.
Conducts regional discovery to initiate and qualify potential donors, including trip planning and follow-up.
Schedules meetings and coordinates preparation of materials, including funding proposals, briefings, and stewardship reports.
Identifies prospects to participate in specific events, committees, and programs that promote the cultivation process.
Assists with and participates in signature activities such as Day of Giving, Homecoming Weekend, Dean’s Basketball Suites, and assorted URIF and College-based events.
Actively pursues RhodyNow (annual fund) gifts.
Participates in and supports meetings and activities for Graduate School of Oceanography Area Advisory Councils and Boards.
Partners with various URIF offices (Gift Planning, Corporate & Foundations, Principal Gifts, Annual Initiatives, Alumni Engagement, Donor Relations) to devise overall strategies for cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and engagement related to the Graduate School of Oceanography.