Director of Development for Business

San José State University • San José, CA

15h

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Executive Director of Development, the Director of Development for Business develops and executes strategies to secure philanthropic support for San José State University fundraising priorities identified by the University’s leadership in collaboration with the Office of Development in the Division of University Advancement. Responsibilities include but are not limited to identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individuals capable of giving major gifts to the University. In support of these efforts, the Director of Development initiates, maintains and strengthens close working relationships with key academic leaders, campus administrators, various stakeholders, and University Advancement colleague.

Requirements

• Ability to identify donors and close gifts of six and seven figures
• Ability to navigate the institution/assigned unit and make the appropriate match for donor interests
• Ability to engage and support volunteer leadership with their efforts in fundraising, consultation, and advocacy
• Skilled in networking and opening doors as well as developing donor-centric cultivation and solicitation strategies
• Deep appreciation and understanding of the academic enterprise and the ability to articulate academic values internally and externally
• Knowledge of clear, audience-appropriate communication practices for students, faculty, and staff, while maintaining a student-centered approach
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work as part of a collaborative team
• Unquestionable integrity and commitment to professional ethics
• High level of initiative, attention to detail, and organization skills
• Ability to responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Skilled in successfully managing multiple projects on tight deadlines and under pressure in a dynamic and open environment
• Ability to define problems, gather data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Proficient in Google Suite and Microsoft Office Suite and ability to utilize fundraising database programs, and learn new tech platforms for project management
• Demonstrated spirit of flexibility and strong customer service ethic
• Ability to interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Excellent customer service and public relation skills
• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising
• Experience developing donor centric solicitation strategies leading to closing major gifts
• Evidence of strong written communication skills; ability to write clearly and persuasively

Nice To Haves

• Advanced Degree
• Experience developing donor (or client)-centric solicitation strategies leading to closing major gifts (or accounts)
• Fundraising experience in capital or comprehensive campaign setting, preferably at an institution of higher education
• Experience engaging and supporting volunteer leadership in their fundraising efforts

Responsibilities

• Manage an assigned prospect portfolio of key individuals supporting university fundraising priorities
• Coordinate with Prospect Research Team to expand and enhance a prospect pipeline that aligns with university and campaign priorities
• Actively manage a prospect / donor portfolio with annual goals for personal visits and fundraising outcomes based on established metrics
• Develop and execute sound strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gift prospects/donors – initiate contact, develop appropriate cultivation plans, and move individuals in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure
• Present and regularly review top prospect strategies and immediate supervisor and other key team members as appropriate
• Work collaboratively with the leadership of colleges, key university administrators and other stakeholders, offering them counsel on donor-centric cultivation and solicitation strategy, as appropriate
• Work collaboratively with peers in Major Gifts as well as colleagues in Annual Giving, Planned giving and Corporate and Foundation Relations
• Focus on securing funding for designated priorities including research projects, innovation programs, scholarships, unrestricted support, facility renovations, new facilities and other specified priorities
• Collaborate with stewardship colleagues with donor stewardship efforts particularly pertaining to the Division of Research and Innovation and help promote a culture of gratitude among internal and external constituents
• Effectively utilize campus data management system and enter prospect/donor contact reports and their relevant data in a timely fashion
• Prepare written donor cultivation and solicitation plans and proposals
• Participate in staff, functional and strategy meetings including prospect review sessions, attend conferences, seminars, and other development training as feasible and appropriate

Benefits

• San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary.
• For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary

What This Job Offers

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