Director of Development

Santa Clara University • Santa Clara, CA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

Santa Clara University is a comprehensive Jesuit, Catholic university located in California's Silicon Valley, offering its 8,800 students rigorous undergraduate curricula in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, plus master's, Ph.D., and law degrees. Ranked among the top 15 percent of universities nationwide by U.S. News and World Report, Santa Clara University is California's oldest operating institution of higher education. The University is focused on creating an academic community that educates citizens and leaders who will build a more just, humane, and sustainable world. University Relations builds Santa Clara University’s excellence and character by strengthening relations with alumni, parents, and friends of the University, raising public awareness, and increasing private philanthropy. Santa Clara University seeks a talented and experienced fundraiser to join a dynamic Major Gifts team as a Director of Development. The Director for Development plays a critical role in Santa Clara University’s efforts to secure resources for its strategic funding priorities and deepen its relationships with alumni, parents, and friends. In building and managing a portfolio of special and major gift prospects, he or she will lead the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects targeted for outright or planned gifts of six-figures and above. The Director will build and manage a portfolio of about 120 major gift prospects. He or she will lead the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects targeted for gifts between $100,000 and $1,999,999. The Director will focus their personal fundraising efforts on serving as a generalist who represents University priorities. Fundraising priorities and geographic focus for the Director may change over time. The Director creates and executes donor cultivation plans to leverage this historic time for Santa Clara and achieve the goals of an ambitious campaign plan. This position will report to the Executive Director of Development. To be considered, please include a cover letter with your application. This position is eligible for a flexible work schedule: hybrid - work from the office and home.

Requirements

• Knowledge of higher education advancement and technical background preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of annual, major gift, and planned giving programs, with an emphasis on personal solicitations.
• Understanding the values, ideals, and mission of Santa Clara University.
• Must be a goal-oriented and self-motivated individual who can demonstrate accountability, initiative, creativity, and focus in a rapidly changing and intellectually stimulating environment.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate, build alliances, and achieve results within a population that may possess competing interests, opinions, and /or expectations.
• Demonstrate strong active listening skills and ability to negotiate positive outcomes.
• Positive attitude, sense of humor, and flexibility.
• Proficiency in using fundraising database (or similar).
• Excellent computer skills; proficiency in using advanced functions of word processing, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint, Google products (i.e., Google docs, Gmail, etc.) database and web resources.
• Knowledge of CRM database a plus.
• Willingness to learn new software if needed.
• Required to have a valid driver’s license and personal transportation vehicle available for frequent travel to business meetings (mileage is reimbursed under federal guidelines).
• Demonstrate a level of comfort working and communicating with top executives, community leaders and/or university leadership.
• Ability to motivate, build long-term relationships with, and gain the respect of internal and external clients.
• Ability to identify and implement major gift strategic planning and solicitation strategies in support of strategic initiatives.
• Verifiable track record of soliciting individuals/organizations for financial investments and the ability to articulate and advocate a strong case for support.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage time and workload to multitask and achieve goals in a deadline-driven environment.
• Demonstrate a genuine appetite to contribute to a collaborative, ethical, and professional team environment.
• Ability to work on the road and/or work at odd hours and on weekends.
• Bachelor's degree required.
• 3-5 years of direct fundraising experience.
• 6-8 years of transferrable professional experience, including sales and/or developing relationships with high net worth clients or customers, preferably at the major gift level.
• Verifiable track record of successfully soliciting and closing gifts from individuals/organizations.
• Valid U.S. driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of engagement and solicitation strategies for qualified major gift prospects (between $100,000 and $1,999,999); oversee the implementation and personally drive the execution of said strategies. This includes collaborating with internal colleagues to develop multi-interest proposals and promote organized and strategic outreach to our donors.
• Secure and conduct face-to-face and virtual visits to qualify, engage, solicit, and steward the university's major donors and prospects.
• Lead the qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of approximately 120 high-net-worth donors ensuring that each receives regular and strategic contact.
• Meet dollar and activity metrics as set with the Senior Director of Development, Major Gifts. This currently includes monthly and annual reporting on total dollars raised, total major gift solicitations, number of contacts with donors, and number of new planned giving donors.
• Help prepare the dean and/or University administrators by outlining fundraising strategies for donor meetings and events, as needed.
• Produce well-written, accurate, and timely follow-up and related correspondence such as contact reports, cover and thank you letters, e-mails, reports, and briefings in support of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding assigned prospects.
• Track and record activities as they relate to assigned prospects using the Blackbaud CRM database (CLARA) constituent management software and report regularly to the Senior Director of Development, Major Gifts.
• Participate as an active member of the Office of Development staff, sharing information and collaborating with colleagues in a respectful and professional manner, contributing to a healthy and positive work environment.
• Perform all standard essential responsibilities and meet qualifications as a Director.
• Demonstrate success in soliciting and closing gifts and meeting goals. Annual goal to be determined with and approved by the Senior Director of Development, typically $700,000-$1,500,000.
• Other duties as assigned in support of Santa Clara University’s mission.

Benefits

• Santa Clara University offers a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees with programs and resources designed to promote and sustain personal health care, well-being, and the financial objectives of our employees and families. Visit our benefits page for more information.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees