Senior Director of Development, College of Agriculture

Cal Poly Pomona•Pomona, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Division of University Advancement is one of five central divisions of the university whose primary purpose is to enhance the private support and knowledge of the university. This is accomplished by initiating programs, events, and activities that stimulate the involvement and interest of alumni, friends, parents, corporations, and foundations to develop relationships that will foster and stimulate giving to the university. The office of the Vice President of University Advancement oversees the offices of development, alumni and external relations, government and external affairs, advancement services, and annual giving. The division manages and operates the Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation, which serves as the official entity to receive and manage all contributions to the University. Under the telework policy, it is understood that physical presence may be required on individual scheduled remote days based on the needs of the campus, division, department, or request of your HEERA Manager.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree - from an accredited university.
Valid California Driver's License and required insurance.
Minimum of seven years of progressive experience in major gifts fundraising, or equivalent business development experience, with a demonstrated record of increasing responsibility and consistent success in securing philanthropic/financial support at the major and principal gift levels, preferably within a higher education or similarly complex environment.
Demonstrated participation in a development/advancement organization (CASE, APRA, NSFRE, AFA, etc.)
Excellent oral and written communication skills required relating well and communicating effectively with a variety of constituents, including high-profile leaders.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, on and off campus, serving in a leader role, and a liaison /representative of the College, Division, and the university.
Must demonstrate accepted business and professional etiquette in all dealings with constituents and colleagues.
Demonstrated success in donor cultivation and asks, and in preparing and submitting support proposals.
Understanding of gift processing, valuation, and acknowledgement requirements.
Must be able to successfully engage in personal face-to-face calling on prospects.
Understanding of types of gifts (planned, current, endowment, restricted, estate, etc.).
Understanding of ways to give (cash, gifts-in-kind, grants, awards, instruments, etc.).
Ability to work evenings and weekends for cultivation meetings, events, and activities.
Understands and reflects the highest standards of professional conduct and integrity.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.
Familiarity with contemporary state and national issues and trends related to Liberal Arts, Social Sciences and Educational Studies.
Experience working in a higher education or non-profit setting preferred.
Demonstrated participation in development/advancement organizations such as CASE, APRA, NSFRE, and AFP.
Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential preferred.

Responsibilities

Fundraising and Major Gift Development: Serve as a Senior Director of Development, working with the Executive Director of Development to jointly implement successful major gift development programs. Identify the resource needs of assigned colleges and create plans for meeting the needs with philanthropic fundraising. Meet regularly with Deans, the Executive Director of Development, the Chief Development Officer, and the Vice President of University Advancement to identify and operationalize development objectives and goals. Prepare for and undertake face-to-face solicitations and funding proposals; identify, screen, and cultivate prospects; nurture existing donors and supporters; and engage in stewardship activities. Collaborate with department chairs, faculty, coordinators, volunteers, advisory committees, and alumni focused on development to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects and donors. Maintain and enhance an individual major gift prospect pool and actively cultivate and solicit prospects for major gifts by presenting funding needs effectively. Work closely with divisional departments such as advancement services, alumni affairs, government relations, and strategic communications to optimize efforts and ensure effective donor experience. Integrate development activities with university-wide advancement programs and assets, including Alumni Affairs, Public Affairs, Prospect Research, Gift Processing, Annual Fund activities, Planned Giving, university events, foundation and corporate outreach. Work as a team with other college staff focused on development objectives. Coordinate with the university prospect management system to ensure effective coordination with fundraising professionals, soliciting and cultivating support for assigned colleges and programs. Plan, implement, and engage in personal face-to-face prospect calls, conducting at least two per week. Undertake off-campus travel to meet with prospects and donors as part of a strategic development plan. Participate in capital campaigns, endowment development, grant writing and management, events and sponsorships, and special fundraising initiatives. Segment fundraising activities to determine naming and recognition opportunities. Routinely document donor and prospect contact in the CRM system. Utilize the fundraising dashboard and insights to identify opportunities to strengthen relationships and capitalize on fundraising opportunities. Follow guidelines for data entry and collection. Provide fundraising support for executive-level donor societies. Promote donor interests, volunteerism, and involvement. Work with administration, faculty, and staff to identify project resource requirements and undertake individual prospect, corporate, and foundation searches and profiles to find potential support sources and pursue them strategically. Working with the Executive Director of Development, identify, prepare, and implement advancement training for faculty and staff in Agriculture and other assigned colleges. Work with assigned staff regarding fundraising messaging for communication materials (e.g., web, social media, newsletters, etc.).
University Advancement and Campus-Wide Participation: Serve as a vital member of the University Advancement team. Work with advancement colleagues to envision campus-wide development goals, initiatives, events, campaigns, and protocols. Attend advisory meetings, cultivation events, university receptions, and advancement activities to represent university and/or college advancement and development initiatives and needs. Constantly evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of various development strategies and activities and recommend refinements and new advancement ventures. Work with central development staff to refer individuals to the annual giving office; identify planned giving opportunities; collaborate with the divisional corporate grant specialist; and work with other development personnel to ensure donor needs are addressed seamlessly. Assist with general university donor cultivation, solicitations, and stewardship. Actively participate with the university advancement team to attract additional campus support important for all colleges, schools, and programs, such as support for scholarships, technology acquisition, capacity-building, marketing and outreach, and support for areas of greatest need. Continually adhere to the latest valuation, recording, and reporting guidelines of the division, campus, the California State University, IRS, and adopt Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) standards.
Other duties as identified and assigned