Regional Advancement Senior Director

University of Rochester

1d•$86,900 - $130,300•Onsite

About The Position

The Regional Advancement Senior Director is a key leadership role responsible for driving success in a high-priority territory during the University’s transformative capital campaign. Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice President and/or Executive Director of Regional Advancement, the Senior Director will manage a standard portfolio plus 30–40 additional high-value Major Gift prospects to achieve ambitious campaign goals and exceed performance metrics. This position oversees a campaign committee, ensuring members are engaged and aligned with campaign objectives. Additionally, the Senior Director provides supervision, training, and mentorship to the Associate Director of Regional Advancement and ensures newly hired team members are onboarded in the most efficient manner. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of securing major gifts, strong leadership and mentorship skills, and the ability to develop impactful fundraising initiatives. With enhanced performance expectations, this role offers an opportunity to significantly advance the University’s mission during a transformative period.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and 7 years of fundraising experience required
Or equivalent combination of education and experience

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred
work effectively with volunteers and solicit annual gifts preferred.
Strong capacity for collaboration preferred.
Intelligence and evidence of ability to work well with faculty preferred.
Ability to manage complex projects and to effectively manage detail preferred.
Solid skills in written and oral communication preferred.
Positive attitude, optimism, independence and creativity are essential preferred.
Familiarity with office productivity computer programs and an interest and aptitude in learning more about management information systems preferred.

Responsibilities

Effectively manage a campaign committee
Maintain a portfolio of 125 plus an additional 30-40 Larger Major Gift Prospects
Maintain major gift pipeline to ensure aggressive team assigned metrics are exceeded
Hiring, train and ensure new team member exceeds all assigned metrics
Create strategies for and solicit donors capable of contributing large major gifts to the University, including gifts supporting the capital campaign.
Responsible for planning, managing, executing, and stewardship strategy for each prospect.
Travel within designated regions to initiate and/or strengthen relationships with major gift prospects.
Travel will include working with key volunteers, faculty, university leadership, parents and alumni.
Collaboration with Advancement colleagues to research and identify new major gift prospects annually.
Managing relationships with prospects that include University Deans, Department Chairs, and Faculty.
Oversee and manage Regional Campaign Committee activities, as a result working in especially close collaboration with numerous internal and external partners. This may include academic, engagement, and principal gifts to name a few.
Respond to inquiries and requests from donors and volunteers involving status and disposition of gifts. Collaborate closely with University stewardship and donor relations offices in assuring appropriate follow up to gifts, executing follow up actions as appropriate: letters and phone communication, problems solving, information gathering from other departments involved with gifts, etc.
Become an expert within major gift fundraising. Specifically in estate giving, and alternative gifting vehicles.
Create and manage campaign committee materials, manage multiple meetings, and cultivate each member in preparation to support the campaign.
Works closely with internal and external partners to secure the resources necessary to achieve a vision outlined by university leadership.
Collaborates with Senior Leaders, Deans, Department Chairs, Volunteers, and key faculty to effectively manage and create prospect strategies to promote development efforts that focus on school priorities.
Responsible for creating and maintaining a sophisticated strategy for campaign committee. This includes volunteer management and activities regarding volunteer recruitment, meeting topics, and additional event planning.
Special campaign committee advisor to the Assistant Vice President regional advancement ensuring the overall success of the program
Lead the planning and execution of internal spending initiatives, including the procurement and distribution of giveaways to support engagement efforts.
Provide on-site support and mentorship to new Major Gift Officers (MGOs) outside your assigned region, fostering consistency and alignment across teams.
Develop and execute a structured plan for regular check-ins with each new hire, ensuring a smooth onboarding process and early success.
Act as a mentor to all new MGOs, facilitating weekly check-ins, maintaining an open-door policy, and sharing proven success strategies to build their confidence and capabilities.
Other duties as assigned.