Director of Development

Morgan State University•Baltimore, MD

53d•$100,000 - $120,000

About The Position

The Director of Development for the School of Business and School of Engineering is a key leadership position responsible for designing, implementing, and managing comprehensive fundraising strategies to support the academic and strategic priorities of both schools. The individual reports directly to the Assistant Vice President for Development and works closely with the Dean of the School of Business and the School of Engineering. The Director will be responsible for cultivating relationships with alumni, donors, corporations, foundations, and other stakeholders to secure financial support for scholarships, research initiatives, program development, and infrastructure enhancement. The Director will be responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts of $25,000 and above for the Schools of Business and School of Engineering. The Director will set and achieve fundraising goals, maintain a knowledge of funders' interests, collaborate with other advancement colleagues and external constituents as appropriate and work to create a culture of philanthropy with the School of Business and School of Engineering. The successful candidate will build lasting relationships with donors, helping to ensure long-term support for the university and keeping them updated on how their financial support is making an impact. The preferred candidate should be self-motivated, task oriented, deadline driven, a good communicator and collaborator.

Requirements

The successful candidate must have a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration or Engineering, Fundraising, Nonprofit Management or a related field from an accredited college or university.
A Minimum of five years of experience in Institutional Advancement, Development, or Fundraising is required.
Demonstrated success in soliciting major gifts, securing grants, and building donor relationships
Demonstrated success in collaborating with academic leaders and university administrators and knowledge/execution of strategic planning process as it relates to fundraising initiatives
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage and inspire diverse stakeholders
Strong organizational and project management abilities, with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Knowledge of fundraising best practices, ethical standards, and legal regulations related to philanthropy
Proficiency in fundraising databases, CRM systems, and Microsoft Office Suite
Commitment to the mission and values of the School of Business and School of Engineering, with a passion for advancing education, research, and innovation

Nice To Haves

A Master's degree preferred, in Business Administration or Engineering, Fundraising, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
Experience in institutional advancement, development, or fundraising. preferably in higher education or a related nonprofit organization.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute strategic fundraising plans aligned with the goals and priorities of the School of Business and School of Engineering.
Review, evaluate and prioritize key fundraising initiatives that help strengthen and support the mission of the university.
Enhance existing and create new fundraising opportunities with targeted campaigns to engage donors and increase philanthropic support.
Build and manage a robust pipeline of prospects (100+), leveraging data and analytics to prioritize cultivation efforts.
Plan and execute targeted fundraising events (e.g., salon events, small dinners, 1:1 meetings) for the Dean of the School of Business and the School of Engineering.
Collaborate with other advancement team members as appropriate on fundraising initiatives to assure appropriate resources are available to implement the strategy.
Identify, cultivate, and maintain relationships with individuals, alumni, corporate and foundation partners to secure financial support.
Prepare persuasive cases for support, proposals, annual appeals, and gift agreement for individuals for specific projects, scholarships, and initiatives. Work with corporate and foundation advancement colleagues on specialized grant requests that would require their assistance and assure compliance with grant requirements and reporting obligations, including tracking outcomes and impact metrics.
Implement stewardship strategies in collaboration with advancement colleagues to recognize and retain donors which could include personalized communications, donor recognition events, impact reports, and meeting with the Deans or key faculty members of both schools
Collaborate with the Deans, faculty members, and university administrators to identify priorities and develop compelling and fundable proposals.
Work closely with advancement colleagues, volunteers, and advisory boards to leverage their networks and support fundraising initiatives.
Work closely with the prospect research team to identify new prospects and potential fundraising initiatives.
Work closely with the events team, the advancement communications team, and the alumni team on larger events (e.g., campaign events, alumni receptions) as appropriate to ensure that the appropriate logistics, budget, communications, and alumni support is available for successful execution.
Develop and manage annual fundraising budgets for the School of Business and School of Engineering, tracking expenses and revenue projections.
Prepare regular progress reports, financial forecasts, and fundraising metrics to evaluate performance and inform strategic decision-making.