Director of Development

University of California, Irvine•Irvine, CA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The School of Physical Sciences (SoPS) at UC Irvine is seeking a development professional to join its Office of Advancement. This office is responsible for the school's comprehensive fundraising operation, including alumni relations and development, in partnership with the Director of Communications. With support from the University of California, Irvine Office of University Advancement, the staff collaborates with donors, alumni, faculty, and school senior leadership to secure philanthropic resources for the School of Physical Sciences and its departments. The SoPS aims to deliver scientific breakthroughs and solutions to profound problems by fostering an inclusive, interdisciplinary culture. Its researchers are engaged in diverse projects, from predicting cancer tumor growth to exploring life on other planets and addressing climate change, often through interdisciplinary collaborations.

Requirements

Advanced knowledge of all aspects of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, and procedures.
Ability to apply creative techniques to the processes.
Advanced written, oral and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies.
Ability to make persuasive and compelling presentations of goals and objectives in order to secure gifts.
Persuasive executive communication skills
Advanced organizational, analytical, and critical thinking skills, including skill in creative and effective decision-making and problem identification/avoidance/resolution, and strong project management skills.
Very strong skills in maintaining confidentiality.
Ability to prepare complex and detailed proposals and related materials.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with both school and institution to achieve goals, and to meet metrics and deadlines.
Ability to meet demanding work schedule expectations.
Highly organized, focused, and goal-oriented with the ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Salesforce or a comparable donor/prospect database system.
Demonstrable experience in stewardship plans leading to additional investments.
Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
A minimum of 5 years of experience of successful professional development and/or fundraising-related experience, OR, any equivalent combinations of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill and abilities have been achieved.
Related experience and comparable knowledge should include fundraising, and may also include fundraising in combination with a variety of pathways including - but not limited to - executive events planning and management, administrative coordination, annual giving, stewardship, external relations, communication, public relations, corporate/foundation relations, development personnel, and others.

Nice To Haves

Advanced working knowledge of all aspects of the location, including current issues of concern for both the campus throughout higher education generally.
Advanced working knowledge of the location, its vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements and infrastructure.
Interest and/or familiarity in the sciences and the local Orange County philanthropic and business community.
Advanced knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, etc.
A minimum of 5 years of experience successful professional development and/or fundraising-related experience in higher education

Responsibilities

Plans, organizes, and directs large-scale, fundraising campaigns which include multiple components, including related special event planning.
Develops and coordinates guest and participant lists, including developing and maintaining databases of participants, potential and invited speakers, faculty, and administrators.
Tracks responses to invitations, sends reminders, guidance and other information to participants, guests, and leadership.
Staffs and serves as event lead for logistics during event functions.
Attend and arrange additional event staffing.
Recruit, train, and support new and repeat student, faculty and staff volunteers needed for each event.
Coordinates and arranges travel, lodging meals as needed.
Ensures that predetermined fundraising goals are met and implements program activities to achieve these goals.
Conducts at least 12 substantive meaningful contacts per month.
Qualifies 40 new major gift prospects through personal appointments, annually.
Secures $1,000,000 annually in new gifts and commitments for the SoPS.
Develops and manages a dynamic major gift portfolio to identify, qualify, cultivate, directly solicit and steward prospects with the capacity to make contributions of at least $25,000.
Writes proposals for solicitation of individual, corporate, and/or foundation prospects.
Works with the Executive Director of Development, the Dean, department chairs, and center directors to identify, assess, and prioritize funding opportunities within the School.
Fosters successful fundraising in the School by preparing the Dean and other academic leaders to participate routinely and effectively in development activities and prospect appointments.
Works routinely and closely with academic leadership, key faculty, and Advancement colleagues to support the Dean's fundraising priorities including administrative and operational needs of the department.
In collaboration with the Director of Communications, prepares PowerPoint presentations, speaking engagement materials (including speaking remarks and faculty bios) for the Dean, manages resources, develops, and implements procedures for internal records management for donor events.
Collaborates with various UA offices and functions - including stewardship, research and prospect management, financial services, annual giving, and development to advance prospect strategies.
Uses the UA prospect management and tracking system.
Participates as directed by the Executive Director of Development, as a member of the UA constituent development team in development activities across campus and serves as a resource to other unit-based development colleagues about the School’s fundraising opportunities.
Manages prospect and donor contacts, contact reports, and donor proposals.
Assists in identifying relevant alumni from the SoPS four departments and prospective donors, including basic prospect research.
Manages multi-step gift processing (including deposits), ensuring compliance with School of Physical Sciences and University policies and procedures.
Works with School fund manager to ensure timely gift reporting for school leadership.
Assists in the development and distribution of appropriate stewardship and fund-raising materials including gift stewardship letters.
Works in, updates and produces reports in Zotforce (Salesforce).
Manage and prepare data/reports for fundraising initiatives as directed.
Attends functions, meetings, and serves on internal/external committees as a representative of the School.
Manages, builds, and leads the SoPS development boards.