Director, Donor Experience & Leadership Giving (VPUR)

University of Maryland•College Park, MD

About The Position

The Director, Donor Experience & Leadership Giving plays a pivotal role in the Broad-Based Campaigns & Strategic Engagement (BCSE) department, which works to identify and qualify the next generation of major gift donors by cultivating an engaged pipeline at all levels for the University of Maryland. This department, within Central Development in University Relations, is made up of three teams that inform, develop, and conduct these efforts, and who all rely on a donor-centric, analytical and data-forward approach. The BCSE leadership team includes the Executive Director of Development and team leads overseeing centralized annual giving, Donor Experience (DXO), and Leadership Giving (LEAD). The Director manages two teams of development officers with complementary approaches: Donor Experience Officers (DXOs) who engage prospects through structured, cadence-based outreach, and Leadership Giving Officers (LGOs) who focus on dedicated discovery outreach to qualify potential major gift donors. These officers work to identify, engage, and solicit the next generation of major gift donors in support of the university and are responsible for the strategic engagement and solicitation of gifts up to $50,000 from alumni, friends, and parent prospects with the capacity for future major gift support. The Director provides strategic oversight and day-to-day administration for both the DXO and LEAD teams. This role involves managing five front-line fundraisers and carrying a select portfolio of prospects. As a leader within the University of Maryland's advancement team, the Director champions a culture of philanthropic excellence. They are responsible for achieving annual individual and team goals and possess the ability to review and analyze data to not only inform strategic decisions and execution but also to provide targeted and effective coaching to team members. The Director is responsible for recruiting, coaching, managing performance, and the professional development of the team. They should exhibit fundraising excellence, demonstrate best practices, and embrace emerging tools. They will bring a collaborative, curious, and good-humored approach to fostering a positive and productive team environment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Eight (8) years of professional donor pipeline building or fundraising experience.
Knowledge of conducting marketing programs through direct mail and the web.
Knowledge of social media.
Knowledge of technologies, trends, and data analytics for target marketing, reporting, and results analysis.
Knowledge of database management, gift processing, and donor relations.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office and Google Workspace products.
Skill in the areas staff management, development, and team building.
Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
Ability to multitask while demonstrating a commitment to customer service.

Nice To Haves

Possess successful experience as a front-line fundraiser, primarily closing gifts between ($1,000 - $50,000) from prospects in a university setting.
Experience leading and developing a team’s skills through effective feedback and coaching, motivating and empowering colleagues while being institutionally minded, strategic, and impactful.
Experience in training and onboarding new frontline fundraising staff.
Experience working with various technologies, including advanced knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office and/or Google Business Suites, database software, and/or CRM systems.
Strong leadership, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail, the ability to work with ambiguity, navigate a complex work environment, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively to achieve goals with a commitment to delivering exceptional customer service.
Strong written and verbal communication skills as well as effective presentation skills.
Flexibility to accommodate changing priorities and deadlines.
Demonstrate initiative and exercise good judgment in independent decision making.
Organized and detail-oriented with strong follow-up skills.
Possess a high level of professionalism and commitment to confidentiality with sound judgment and discretion.
Collaborative, curious, and good-humored.

Responsibilities

Providing strategic oversight and day-to-day administration for both the DXO and LEAD teams.
Managing five front-line fundraisers and carrying a select portfolio of prospects.
Championing a culture of philanthropic excellence.
Achieving annual individual and team goals.
Reviewing and analyzing data to inform strategic decisions and execution.
Providing targeted and effective coaching to team members.
Recruiting, coaching, managing performance, and the professional development of the team.
Exhibiting fundraising excellence, demonstrating best practices, and embracing emerging tools.
Fostering a positive and productive team environment.