Director of Leadership Annual Giving

Case Western Reserve University • Cleveland, OH

64d • $65,779 - $83,210 • Hybrid

About The Position

The director of leadership annual giving will have primary responsibility for the planning and implementation of the Weatherhead School of Management¿s leadership annual giving program, focusing on individual giving at the leadership annual giving level and above ($10,000 to $99,999). Serving as a member of the school¿s development and alumni relations team, the director of leadership annual giving will work in partnership with the associate dean, executive director of development, other School/University Relations and Development colleagues, faculty, and volunteers to secure local, regional, national, and international philanthropic and community support. The position will manage a portfolio of 200+ alumni and donor prospects and will personally solicit leadership annual gifts. Functioning as part of a university development team, the incumbent will be expected to work collegially, and in partnership, with central and other school-based colleagues. Donor cultivation may require local, regional, or national travel.

Requirements

• Outstanding written and oral communication skills. Ability to demonstrate tact, appreciation, approachability, and responsiveness in relationships with donors, alumni, friends, administrators, faculty, staff, students, and all external contacts. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisor, and customers face to face.
• High level of accuracy and professionalism in reporting, communications, and evaluations.
• Highly motivated self-starter who demonstrates insight, maturity, cultural competency, and accountability in attitude and behavior. Strong public presence with the wisdom/sophistication to know when to take the lead and when to follow.
• Proven ability to function as a highly ethical member of a professional team. Demonstrated competence and ease in collaborating with a wide range of individuals including faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and students.
• Strong organizational and planning skills from conceptualization through implementation.
• Excellent decision-making and management skills. Exercises good judgment regarding priorities and utilizes efficient methods to meet established deadlines.
• Excellent research skills on both electronic and non-electronic formats.
• Ability to travel, to work with tight deadlines, and to handle multiple projects.
• Extraordinary care in maintaining absolute confidentiality and trust in handling budget and program information, donor and prospect information, confidential memoranda, and trustee/alumni/ dean/vice-president/faculty/staff/student interaction.
• Demonstrated ability to use work time productively and exercise good judgment in handling high priority items and sensitive and highly confidential matters; discretion and tact are essential.
• Computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office), word processing, and database management and the ability to learn new programs. Familiarity with Advance or other donor databases preferred.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• 7 or more years work experience; 2 to 3 years in development, public relations, engagement, or related field. Experience in non-profit organizations or higher education is preferred.
• Bachelor's degree required

Nice To Haves

• advanced degree preferred.
• Familiarity with Advance or other donor databases preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 200+ leadership annual giving donors, alumni, parents, and friends with a giving potential in the range of $10,000-$99,999. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects and donors in accordance with school's fundraising priorities established by senior leadership. Arrange appropriate opportunities to meet with potential donors by leveraging communication approaches. Access highly confidential records of donors, alumni, parents, and friends of the university to analyze and evaluate essential information to ascertain giving history, family, and other relationships with the university to provide essential background data.
• In conjunction with the executive director, design compelling donor proposals and program materials for use in solicitations. Track, analyze, and report all leadership annual giving donor activity and benchmark rates of success over time. Create and collaborate with central annual giving on strategy for giving societies--to inspire increased giving. In partnership with the executive director, plan strategies for the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of leadership annual giving donors.
• Collaborate with executive director, associate dean and other university and school development officers to execute strategic follow up and moves management as donors grow in their affinity for support.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate philanthropic program strategies, engagement opportunities, giving programs, special projects, activities, and structured outreach to meet departmental priorities that fulfill the mission of the school and the university. Assist with the staffing of alumni and development events.
• Serve as the point person for the school's development and alumni relations team for the promotion, management and strategic growth of the planned giving program.
• Recruit, train and manage volunteers, as appropriate, who will actively participate in building philanthropic relationships that benefit the school locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Actively participate in development and alumni relations activities and events as requested, or required, including but not limited to attendance at university functions during evenings and weekends (e.g., commencement, homecoming and reunion, alumni celebration, and networking events).
• Perform other duties as assigned. Assist the executive director and associate dean with and provide oversight and on-site management to other university programs, meetings, and events as required.

Benefits

• Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Industry: Educational Services
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees