Associate Director of Development, Rutgers Democracy Lab

Rutgers University Foundation • New Brunswick, NJ

96d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director of Development (ADOD) focuses on major-gifts fundraising for the Rutgers Democracy Lab (RDL), translating the study and practice of democracy in ways that resonate with varied audiences. Reporting to the Senior Vice President, the ADOD identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards prospects and donors while building the major-gift pipeline.

The Rutgers Democracy Lab, at the Eagleton Institute of Politics and housed within the Rutgers New Brunswick Provost’s office, draws on the university’s multidisciplinary resources to strengthen democratic life and cultivate future civic leaders. Its programming connects academic research with real-world action through youth civic engagement, dialogue across differences, and the effects of emerging technologies. Initiatives include the Technology and Democracy Research Hub, student engagement programs, doctoral research fellowships, faculty and staff fellowships, the Digital Content Creator Program, and national convenings and community-facing events.

The ADOD manages a portfolio of major-gift prospects and donors, coordinates fundraising activity and donor engagement, develops compelling cases for support, and collaborates with RDL, Rutgers University Foundation, advancement colleagues, faculty, staff, and communications partners. The role also supports fundraising initiatives as the Lab grows and maintains accurate records and compliance with foundation procedures.

This is an office-centric hybrid position with a primary workstation at a university or foundation location and office attendance between one and five days per week, depending on role and function. The position involves occasional early mornings, late evenings, weekends, or other irregular hours to accommodate meetings, travel, events, and external constituents’ schedules. It requires focus while managing complex projects or deadlines and little physical effort. The position is budgeted at an annual salary of $90,000.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and/or at least 4 years of professional experience in fundraising, alumni relations, nonprofit organizations, event planning, higher education, or related fields.
• Ability to manage a personal major-gift donor and prospect portfolio, with a focus on securing gifts at or above $50,000.
• Ability to devise strategies and execute increasingly complex, interdisciplinary projects.
• Ability to develop and submit written proposals, budgets, and other collateral materials to support philanthropic investments.
• Ability to manage complex projects or deadlines while maintaining focus.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, odd hours, and some early mornings or late evenings to accommodate resource-raising commitments, meetings, travel, events, and constituent schedules.

Nice To Haves

• Experience fundraising for policy and education.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a portfolio of major-gift donors and prospects, defined as gifts or pledges above $25,000, and identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a diverse base of supporters, including alumni, institutions, and friends.
• Solicit prospects and donors and meet mutually established goals for solicitations, gift closures, prospects met, and qualifications, including through in-kind and planned gifts.
• Strategically organize the Director’s time and resources for donor meetings, special events, and School or University leadership meetings.
• Develop positive, professional, and collaborative relationships with RDL faculty and staff.
• Work with a communications firm to articulate RDL’s needs and priorities in written, visual, and verbal forms and create a compelling case for support.
• Partner in developing new and revised fundraising initiatives as RDL grows.
• Collaborate with RDL and Rutgers University Foundation colleagues to communicate and comply with operational policies and procedures, maintain and analyze reports, data, and unit documents, and follow prospect-management, solicitation, and follow-up procedures.
• Track and report contacts, solicitations, event planning, and related activity through RUF systems, including its CRM system and events calendar.
• Develop cultivation strategies and networking activities with advancement colleagues, including prospect research, alumni records, and donor relations.
• Develop and submit written proposals, budgets, and other collateral materials as needed to secure significant philanthropic investments.
• Manage assigned programs, projects, or sub-teams and provide direction and feedback to colleagues and develop staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical insurance.
• No-cost dental and vision insurance for employees and dependents.
• 403(b) plan with matching employer contribution.
• Three weeks of annual vacation, five wellness days, and fifteen sick days per year.
• Nine holidays and four floating holidays.
• Significant tuition reductions.
• Professional development opportunities and support for developing skills and career progression.
• $40 monthly cell phone reimbursement.
• Office-centric hybrid work schedule.

What This Job Offers

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