Director of Development, Kroc School of Peace Studies

Details•San Diego, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Development for the Kroc School of Peace Studies is responsible for major gift fundraising duties for the school and university-wide priorities. This role involves developing a comprehensive fundraising program to secure private support from a diverse range of individuals, corporations, and foundations, with a particular emphasis on major gifts (cash or property gifts of $25,000 or more). The director will develop strategies for identifying, cultivating, and stewarding donors, effectively communicating the Kroc School's unique story, vision, and impact, and reflecting the organization's culture. The Kroc School is the first stand-alone school of peace in the United States, focusing on innovation in learning and programs to address humanity's urgent challenges through multidisciplinary and experiential learning.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Minimum of five years’ experience in fundraising, including demonstrable management and administrative skills.
Proven ability to collect, analyze, and present data.
Proven record of knowledge in the full spectrum of philanthropic fund development, including special gifts, major gifts, capital campaigns, annual giving, special events, prospect research, proposal development, and gift planning.
Demonstrated ability to cultivate, solicit, close, and steward major gifts.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public speaking; ability to communicate positively and effectively with a diverse audience.
Strong professional interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, advancement professionals, academic administrators, senior executives, volunteers, and trustees of the university.
Must exhibit attention to detail with excellent organizational and time management skills; remain professional under pressure.
Ability to recruit, organize, and manage salaried or volunteer personnel, as well as direct any individuals or committees of influence and affluence in fundraising protocol and competencies.
Protect confidentiality in all communications regarding proposed and consummated gifts.
Must be friendly and personable.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree strongly preferred.
Experience in higher education preferred.
Proven record of working with industry or government in outreach or partnership initiatives is desirable.
Cultural competency and sensitivity a must; ability to understand different cultural contexts and viewpoints, demonstrate respect for others, adapt to different cultural settings; and accept cultural differences.
Knowledge of trends and issues in higher education, philanthropy, and the Roman Catholic Church.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications; ability to become proficient with new technologies and CRM platforms.
Knowledge of USD’s policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

Work directly with the Kroc School deans, faculty, department heads, institutes and centers to identify, plan, coordinate, and implement the school’s fundraising priorities.
Work with the school’s faculty and departments to promote new relationships and enhance existing relationships with potential donors.
Collaborate with the Kroc School’s director of Marketing and Communications in promoting the school and its mission, assist in developing communication strategies, leverage planned event content and scheduling, and identify opportunities for media coverage.
Actively participate in supporting major goals and activities, such as student recruiting and retention, commencement, Distinguished Alumni selections, class gifts, and career development and placement opportunities.
Identify prospects for the school’s Board of Advisors; assist Board in recommending and researching potential new members.
Run effective board meetings and lead follow up steps; prepare meeting materials and complete meeting minutes.
Assist the school’s units and programs in their engagement of advisor groups; guide unit leaders with identification and recruitment of prospective supporters.
Directly communicate with the school’s project managers regarding the availability and restrictions of funds.
Serve as the project manager for the school’s development budget, developing and managing the annual operating plan.
Provide regular quantitative reports to the Kroc School’s leadership team and faculty regarding short and long-term fundraising goals, results, and challenges.
Consistently review accurate recording of donations in CRM and financial management platforms; initiate corrections as necessary.
Identify priority prospects for annual, special, and major gifts and implement fundraising strategies.
Develop cultivation and solicitation strategies for assigned prospects.
Achieve fundraising goals as established by the AVP and dean for specific metrics, including dollars raised, contacts made, and proposals submitted; meet established capital campaign unit goals.
Initiate, cultivate, solicit, and steward all assigned and major gift prospects for all approved fundraising priorities for the Kroc School and the university.
Actively cultivate a portfolio of major giving donors and prospective donors.
Work closely with the Kroc Alumni Ambassador and central Office of Alumni Relations to develop relationships with alumni leading to solicitation of gifts.
Work closely with the Offices of Advancement Services, Foundation Relations, Parent and Family Relations, and other directors of Development throughout the university to identify new qualified major gift prospect alums, parents, friends, faculty, corporations, and foundations.
Work closely with the associate vice president of Advancement Operations to provide appropriate Kroc School messaging and to identify new, qualified President’s Club and major gift prospects.
Work closely with the Office of Planned Giving to secure deferred and estate gifts.
Work closely with the Kroc School’s director of Marketing and Communications, as well as the central offices of University Marketing and Communications and University Events and Partnerships, to plan and coordinate fundraising communications, publications, brochures, and special events.
Work with appropriate personnel, when necessary, to assure the success of key special/signature events; oversee the school’s annual Employee Giving Campaign.
Write proposals for major gift requests for capital project naming opportunities, scholarships, Centers and Institutes, Chairs and Professorships, and other priorities.
Plan and co-host visits by prospects, donors, or their representatives.
Identify and coordinate the efforts of volunteers and other staff members to be involved in the cultivation and solicitation process.
Fully comply with the university’s prospect management / move management system including the filing of donor/prospect Contact Reports.
Oversee the day-to-day administration of the Kroc School’s Office of Development, including accurate gift processing, writing and sending thank you letters, etc.
Work cooperatively with all fundraising staff and directors at the university; develop relationships with colleagues at peer institutions.
Attend conferences and professional development seminars to stay current with fundraising strategies and best practices.
Develop and implement strategies to raise awareness of the Kroc School within the greater San Diego donor community.
Participate in San Diego community events and activities as needed to represent USD, the dean, and the school.