Senior Director, Development - Lerner College of Business & Economics

University of Delaware•Newark, DE

About The Position

The Senior Director of Development is responsible for major gift fundraising for the assigned College/unit (Lerner), including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major and principal gift donors for the college. The Senior Director will also manage a team of frontline fundraisers, inspiring cross-functional teamwork, and collaboration to drive achievement and close gifts. Serving as the primary development liaison to the assigned College/unit, the Senior Director partners with development colleagues and University-wide administrative and academic partners involved in business curricular and co-curricular programs. The emphasis of the position is the solicitation of gifts of $100,000 or more from individuals. The Senior Director reports to the Associate Vice President of Development and works closely with assigned College leadership, faculty, and staff.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and minimum of seven years of relevant experience (development, sales, customer relations, etc.), or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Proven ability to solicit and close philanthropic gifts on the six-figure level, or equivalent experience in a related field such as sales.
Previous successful experience managing and motivating a frontline fundraising team.
Experience working collaboratively to develop and execute strategic initiatives and fundraising goals.
Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to initiate, collaborate, implement, monitor, evaluate, and advance strategic plans.
Superior interpersonal skills.
Ability to successfully interact and collaborate with varied constituencies in a professional manner.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Team-building skills.
Demonstrate tact, poise, and diplomacy while working with a wide variety of personalities.
Ability and comfort in meeting and interacting with individuals of considerable social status and affluence.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of an overall fundraising strategy, establish fundraising priorities, and set fundraising goals in collaboration with the Dean or Director of the assigned College/unit.
Manage a portfolio of 50 to 75 qualified major and principal giving prospects.
Successfully conduct all stages of the major gift process: qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Provide donors and prospects with an exceptional experience, moving them to gift closure through thoughtful and meaningful communication and engagement.
Lead the development and execution of solicitation plans for assigned prospects, aiming for successful solicitation within three years.
Acquire extensive knowledge of College and University programs and projects to develop and implement donor cultivation and solicitation strategies.
Develop draft proposals and agreements for named initiatives and recognition opportunities for donors.
Follow and execute all stated processes and procedures, and recommend improvements as needed.
Serve as the primary Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) contact and work with the assigned college/unit Dean, Department Chairs, faculty, and staff on fundraising strategies and donor engagement.
Lead the coordination and scheduling of DAR and College/unit monthly fundraising meetings.
Serve as the lead subject matter expert for gift officers working with prospects in the assigned college/unit.
Collaborate with development colleagues who manage College-based donors and prospects.
Assist in the coordination of stewardship reports and activities for prospects with appropriate members of the administration and faculty.
Prepare various financial, statistical, and analytical reports for management and departmental use.
Effectively manage a team of direct reports by setting clear direction, priorities, and goals, providing performance feedback, and conducting formal appraisals.
Foster a culture of collaboration, teamwork, and achievement amongst staff to achieve overarching DAR goals and metrics.
Lead by example by modeling best practices, inspiring, coaching, and guiding the team on expectations, policies, and functions.
Serve as a role model and contribute to strengthening DAR’s culture by partnering effectively with colleagues within DAR to foster a cross-functional team approach.
Perform other duties as assigned.