Director of Development, Center for Politics
About The Position
The University of Virginia seeks a fundraising professional to serve as Director of Development for the Center for Politics, a nonpartisan institution dedicated to advancing public understanding of politics, government, and civic engagement. The Center reaches audiences through conferences, publications, educational programs, public events, and documentaries. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Development and partnering closely with Center leadership, the Director will lead the Center’s fundraising efforts, cultivate donor relationships, and build a pipeline of philanthropic support for the Center’s priorities and growth. The role leads a comprehensive fundraising strategy and manages donor relationships through all stages of the philanthropic cycle. It also involves collaboration with the Center’s Board of Advisors and co-supervision of an administrative support professional. This is an exempt-level, benefited, restricted position contingent on funding availability. UVA External Relations offers a flexible workplace, but frequent in-person work at the office, on UVA Grounds, or at event venues is required. The employee must maintain a secure home office with high-speed internet and be able to collaborate using various technologies. The ideal candidate will live or be willing to relocate within 50 miles of Charlottesville; exceptional candidates in nearby alumni-concentration areas may be considered. Occasional travel and evening or weekend activities may be required when they advance fundraising and donor-engagement objectives.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree.
- At least eight years of relevant professional experience, including significant responsibility for fundraising, donor relations, development operations, or a closely related advancement function.
- Ability to build trusted relationships with donors, volunteer leaders, colleagues, and institutional partners.
- Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to translate organizational priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities and donor-centered communications.
- Sound judgment, integrity, discretion, and political and cultural awareness.
- Ability to establish priorities, navigate complexity, and build momentum in an evolving environment.
- Capacity to work independently while partnering effectively with leaders, volunteers, and colleagues to achieve fundraising goals.
- Ability to travel strategically and participate in occasional evening and weekend activities when they advance defined fundraising and donor-engagement objectives.
- Ability to maintain a secure home office environment with high-speed internet and collaborate using a variety of technologies and tools.
- Candidates must not require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.
Nice To Haves
- Fundraising experience in higher education, a nonprofit organization, or another complex, mission-driven institution.
- A record of managing donor relationships and prospect portfolios that include individuals capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more.
- Demonstrated success identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects.
- Success developing and implementing fundraising strategies that achieve measurable philanthropic outcomes.
- Experience working with volunteer leaders, advisory boards, or similar constituent groups in support of fundraising and donor engagement.
- Experience providing functional direction to staff while balancing leadership responsibilities with active portfolio management.
Responsibilities
- Lead and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy, including annual, major, principal, and planned giving.
- Manage a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation prospects, engaging donors throughout the philanthropic cycle.
- Partner with Center leadership to identify priorities and develop compelling philanthropic investment opportunities.
- Collaborate with and engage the Center’s Board of Advisors in fundraising and donor relationship-building efforts.
- Develop a sustainable pipeline of philanthropic support and strengthen donor stewardship and engagement.
- Co-supervise and provide clear priorities to an administrative support professional.
Benefits
- Benefited position; UVA benefits are referenced in the posting.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
