Director of Advancement & Strategic Fundraising

Heidelberg University•Tiffin, OH

14h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Advancement & Strategic Fundraising will develop innovative programs and strategies to identify, engage, cultivate, track, and inspire gifts from our vibrant community of alumni, parents, foundations, corporations, and friends of Heidelberg for gifts to fund institutional priorities. This position will manage a dedicated portfolio of up to 150 key prospects and utilize knowledgeable in estate and planned giving to drive high-impact strategic initiatives and secure ongoing financial resources for the University.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
5-7 years of successful experience with demonstrated fundraising success.
Thorough knowledge of all aspects of fundraising.
Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
Skill in cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding major gifts with a high degree of integrity and diplomacy.
Exceptional motivation and creativity.
Ability to engender confidence, enthusiasm, and promote support of Heidelberg University constituencies.
Ability to develop and present well-developed strategies, proposals, and implement effective courses of action in prospect solicitation.
Ability to travel as needed or required, work evenings and/or weekends as needed.
Ability to relate to diverse cross-sections of individuals.
Ability to work independently and with a team.
Knowledge of operation and use of various office equipment including, but not limited to: computer, copier and fax machine, scanner, phone, and processing software systems such as Microsoft Office and integrated database software.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree
8+ years of successful experience of demonstrated major gift success ($ 25,000+) in a higher education setting or compatible experience in a related field

Responsibilities

Represents Heidelberg University in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of key major, legacy, and estate gift prospects by helping donors accomplish their philanthropic goals while supporting the strategic needs of the institution.
Works with AMACR team members and other campus partners in the overall success of Heidelberg University fundraising.
Acts as primary manager for a portfolio of up to 150 prospects, to move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure, maintaining a balance between discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Identifies, educates, and recruits key volunteers for reunion-year fundraising.
Works on special initiatives in support of the Heidelberg Strategic Growth and Action Plan Campaign, in addition to future campaigns.
Develops solicitation strategies to meet short- and long-term major gift program objectives.
Develops marketing strategies with a focus on planned giving.
Completes appropriate stewardship activities.
Utilizes systems and software (Ellucian Banner and Crescendo) to track and cultivate donors and prospects.
Monitors weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual activity to achieve individual performance measures (e.g. meetings, proposals, major gift revenue).
Other responsibilities as assigned by the Vice President for Advancement, Marketing, Alumni, and Community Relations.