Director of Development (Manning School of Business) - Promotional Opportunity

UMass Lowell•Lowell, MA

22h

About The Position

This is a promotional opportunity for current UML Employees within the same Bargaining Unit. The Director of Development for the Manning School of Business plays a crucial role in advancing the philanthropic goals of the school and UMass Lowell. Reporting to the Deputy Chief Advancement Officer, this role involves close collaboration with the Senior Director of Development and the Dean to build a comprehensive fundraising program focused on major and principal gifts. The Director will manage a portfolio of over 100 prospects and donors, creating and implementing strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward significant philanthropic opportunities. A key aspect of the role is to secure over $1 million annually and conduct at least 144 meaningful donor meetings per year. The Director will also partner with the Senior Director on joint prospect strategies, donor engagement, and relationship transitions to maximize philanthropic potential and ensure continuity.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required.
Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, development, sales, relationship management, or a related field, with demonstrated success managing complex relationships and securing significant commitments.
Demonstrated knowledge of development practices and principles, including prospect identification and qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Demonstrated success managing a portfolio of major gift prospects and securing philanthropic commitments at the five-figure level or above.
Demonstrated ability and willingness to personally solicit philanthropic support.
Proficiency with CRM systems, data management, and technology used to support relationship management and fundraising.
Demonstrated ability to develop and execute thoughtful donor strategies involving multiple stakeholders and long-term relationship development.
Strong relationship management and donor engagement skills, with the ability to align donor interests with School and University priorities.
Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with deans, faculty, Advancement colleagues, and University leadership.
Strong collaboration skills and demonstrated ability to contribute effectively to joint prospect strategy and shared fundraising goals.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare donor briefings, strategies, proposals, and stewardship materials.
High degree of initiative, resilience, professionalism, sound judgment, and discretion when managing confidential donor information and complex philanthropic opportunities.
Strong organizational and portfolio management skills, with the ability to prioritize effectively and manage multiple donor relationships and strategies simultaneously.
Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively as a member of a high-performing Advancement team.
Flexibility to travel regionally and occasionally nationally and to work evenings and weekends as required.

Nice To Haves

Experience advancing six- and/or seven-figure opportunities strongly preferred.
Experience in higher education advancement preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage a primary portfolio of 100+ prospects and donors with the capacity and inclination to make significant philanthropic investments in the Manning School of Business and/or UMass Lowell.
Develop and execute best-practice fundraising strategies and long-range plans for the successful identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of assigned prospects.
Work in close partnership with the Senior Director of Development to develop coordinated strategies for Manning School prospects and donors.
Participate in regular joint prospect strategy sessions to identify emerging principal gift opportunities, determine appropriate relationship management and engagement strategies, and ensure the full philanthropic potential of Manning donors is thoughtfully pursued.
Partner with the Senior Director or Deputy CAO on select complex and principal gift relationships through joint strategy development, donor visits, relationship introductions, and solicitations.
Assume increasing responsibility for sophisticated donor relationships while ensuring thoughtful transitions and continuity of engagement.
Actively identify and develop major gift prospects with the potential to move into the University's principal gift pipeline.
Work closely with the Dean, Senior Director of Development, Department Chairs, and faculty to develop fundraising priorities, engage key major and principal gift prospects, and advance philanthropic opportunities that support the priorities of the School and University.
Conduct meaningful prospect meetings focused on identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Strategically engage the Dean, Senior Director, faculty, University leadership, and other partners in donor relationships as appropriate.
Be conversant in planned giving opportunities, recognize opportunities for blended and deferred gifts, and engage Gift Planning colleagues when specialized expertise would advance donor conversations.
Maintain timely and substantive documentation of donor engagement, strategy, and next steps in the University's CRM.
Collaborate with Corporate and Foundation Relations colleagues to identify and advance corporate and foundation opportunities that support the priorities of the Manning School of Business and UMass Lowell.
Partner with Annual Giving to support comprehensive annual giving efforts for the Manning School, including the cultivation and solicitation of Chancellor's Leadership Society donors ($1,000+ annually) and participation in the University's Days of Giving.
Collaborate across University Advancement to coordinate donor strategy, outreach, events, stewardship, and recognition, freely sharing appropriate information and expertise to strengthen donor relationships and maximize philanthropic opportunities.
Actively participate in prospect management, campaign planning, and other Advancement initiatives that contribute to the University's short- and long-term fundraising success.
Develop a strong understanding of philanthropic and engagement opportunities across UMass Lowell and connect donor interests with priorities that extend beyond the Manning School when appropriate.
Build trusted and collaborative relationships with Manning School faculty, staff, and academic leadership, serving as an effective liaison between the School and University Advancement and supporting shared philanthropic goals.
Foster collaboration across the Manning School, University Advancement, and other academic units by sharing relevant information, identifying opportunities for partnership, and ensuring a coordinated approach to donor engagement.
Ensure exceptional service to internal and external partners and contribute to an environment that is welcoming to people of all backgrounds, nationalities, and roles.
Perform other related duties as assigned by the Deputy Chief Advancement Officer.