Associate Director, Development - Lerner College of Business & Economics

University of Delaware•Newark, DE

About The Position

The Associate Director of Development is responsible for major gift fundraising for the Lerner College of Business & Economics. The role focuses on identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift donors, with an emphasis on soliciting gifts of $50,000 or more from individuals. The position reports to the Senior Director of Development and works closely with assigned College leadership, faculty, and staff. The role manages a portfolio of 50 to 75 qualified major-gift prospects and conducts all stages of the major-gift process. It develops and follows solicitation plans, supports donor engagement and gift closure, and prepares draft proposals and agreements for named initiatives and donor recognition opportunities. The position also serves as a Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) contact for the assigned college/unit, supporting leadership and colleagues with fundraising strategies, donor engagement, meetings, and stewardship activities. The Associate Director collaborates across DAR and performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and at least four years of relevant experience in development, sales, customer relations, or a related area, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Proven ability to solicit and close philanthropic gifts at the six-figure level, or equivalent experience in a related field such as sales.
Strong organizational and planning skills, including the ability to initiate, collaborate, implement, monitor, evaluate, and advance strategic plans.
Superior interpersonal skills.
Ability to interact and collaborate professionally with varied constituencies, with excellent written and oral communication and team-building skills, and tact, poise, and diplomacy.
Ability and comfort in meeting and interacting with individuals of considerable social status and affluence.
Good judgment and responsible decision-making skills; tact and discretion when handling confidential alumni, parent, student, family, donor, and prospect information.
Detail-oriented, self-starting, and able to work independently while managing multiple projects and priorities to meet aggressive timelines and challenging deadlines.
Working knowledge of electronic mail and calendars, the Windows environment, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and software such as donor databases.
Commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture of belonging.
Ability to use initiative, independence, originality, and responsibility to recommend and develop new methods, strategies, and techniques.
Ability to independently research, evaluate, develop, and execute activities designed to engage and identify principal and major gifts.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of regionally based philanthropy.
Experience in a higher education or nonprofit setting.
Direct experience with fundraising and volunteer management.
Knowledge of the University of Delaware.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of 50 to 75 qualified major giving prospects with the capacity, inclination, and timing to make gifts of $50,000 or more.
Conduct all stages of the major-gift process: qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects in the assigned College/unit or in support of University-identified priorities.
Provide donors and prospects with a thoughtful, meaningful engagement experience that moves them toward gift closure.
Follow solicitation plans identifying key steps toward a successful solicitation within three years for assigned prospects.
Learn College and University programs and projects to develop and implement effective donor cultivation and solicitation strategies.
Develop draft proposals and agreements for named initiatives and donor recognition opportunities, and follow stated processes and procedures.
Serve as a DAR contact and support the assigned college/unit Dean, Department Chairs, faculty, and staff in executing fundraising strategies and donor engagement activities.
Assist with coordinating and scheduling DAR and College/unit monthly fundraising meetings as needed.
Serve as a knowledgeable resource for gift officers working with prospects in the assigned college/unit.
Collaborate with development colleagues who manage College-based donors and prospects with philanthropic interests.
Assist with coordinating stewardship reports and activities for prospects with appropriate College/unit administration and faculty members.
Partner with DAR colleagues to foster a cross-functional team approach to College/unit and University goals.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.