Director of Development, Health Sciences Regional Gifts

University of Iowa Center for Advancement•Iowa City, IA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Development position involves optimizing a dynamic portfolio of major gift prospects in the Southwest territory (Arizona, California and Nevada), guiding prospects through a well-established donor engagement process; collaboration with fellow UI Center for Advancement fundraisers; and leveraging relationships with campus leaders to develop strategic fundraising priorities. As a trusted philanthropic advisor, this role educates donors on impactful giving opportunities that make a difference at the University of Iowa and beyond. The Health Sciences Regional Gifts (HSRG) team serve as generalists who raise funds primarily from medically trained alumni for the five health sciences colleges at the University of Iowa: the Carver College of Medicine, the College of Public Health, the College of Dentistry, the College of Nursing, and the College of Pharmacy. The role will work closely with assigned Department Executive Officer(s) and faculty in a collaborative effort towards fundraising initiatives. Responsibilities include regular travel across the Southwest region, as well as joint fundraising efforts for department-specific donors around the country. Expected travel is 25–50%. This position is eligible forâ¯hybridâ¯work (telecommuting) which includes working on-site at our office in Iowa City. Please submit a cover letter with your application.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of related experience required, preferably in a fundraising, nonprofit, health care or higher education setting.

Responsibilities

Identification Advise Prospect Management staff in the identification of prospects (based on capacity, giving history and affiliation) from pools that may include alumni, fans, patients or other supporters of the university
Work with Prospect Management staff and supervisor to develop strategy for managing prospects
Efficiently conduct proactive outreach calls and messages in order to secure face-to-face qualification meetings
Provide strategic input into the design and implementation of engagement events and referrals programs designed to build long-term relationships and attract major gifts
Conduct all activities, particularly those involving patient data, according to established laws, policies, procedures, and standards, with the full support of UICA, UI and UI Health Care, as relevant
Qualification Build qualification pool of potential major gift prospects, with the goal of building a continuous pipeline of donors capable of making gifts of $50,000+
Skillfully adapt structured questions to validate prospects’ capacity and inclination, and understand strength of affinity
Use gathered information and input from colleagues to determine whether prospects should be disqualified or moved into the portfolio
Model the role of a trusted philanthropic advisor, using transparent communication and educating donors about the giving process
Cultivation Manage portfolio of active major gift prospects and develop their readiness to advance
Build travel plans that include qualification meetings, strategic meetings with active prospects, stewardship meetings, and opportunities to learn from colleagues
Develop and implement donor-centric cultivation strategies, collaborating with colleagues as necessary
Manage deliberate sequence of interactions with each prospect, intended to build engagement and move them through the steps of established donor engagement process
Facilitate prospects’ decision-making process; help them understand next steps and articulate the link between their personal objectives and institutional priorities
Maintain knowledge of funding priorities within and beyond assigned department, consulting with UICA colleagues and campus partners as needed
Build and maintain knowledge needed to facilitate solicitation of planned gifts
Solicitation Meet expectations for solicitations, gifts closed, and average gift size (goals established annually with the supervisor in alignment with organization-wide metrics)
Know where prospects fall in the donor engagement process and plan next steps accordingly
Identify meaningful ways for donor to achieve desired impact while meeting funding needs
Employ and model the use of communication and meeting preparation tools to achieve stated objectives for each step of the donor process
Ensure documentation reflects donor intent and set expectations of recognition and stewardship
Stewardship Develop, implement and participate in appropriate stewardship activities (e.g., acknowledgement letters, publicity events) for donors as relevant, collaborating with stewardship liaison as needed
Maintain integrity of constituent database through timely submission of stewardship plans and contact reports for all significant interaction
Constituent Management Partner with campus leaders and UICA leadership to develop strategic fundraising priorities and a comprehensive plan to increase private support; build and communicate understanding of programs and priorities within assigned department
Manage fundraising program for assigned unit, including any special campaigns for program support
Prepare campus partners for donor meetings, as necessary, and guide their role in the giving conversation and donor engagement process
Collaborate with Corporate and Foundations Relations colleagues, as relevant, to identify and cultivate corporate and foundation gift prosects for assigned department