Senior Director of Development, Divisions and Institutes

St. John's University•Queens Campus, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director of Development, Divisions and Institutes will be responsible for major gift fundraising for university-wide initiatives, including Divisions, Institutes and non-academic departments, as determined by the Senior Vice President of Institutional Advancement. Primary responsibilities include developing and managing a portfolio of approximately 150 prospects/suspects, including alumni and friends of the University, and seeking, soliciting, and securing major gifts of $25,000 and above to the University.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree required.
Minimum of 8–12 years of progressive experience in fundraising, advancement, or a related field.
Minimum of 7+ years of one-on-one leadership ($1,500+) and/or major gift ($25,000+) solicitation experience.
Minimum of 7+ years’ experience in Development, preferably in a Higher Education environment.
Proven ability to build and manage relationships with senior leaders, donors, and external stakeholders.
Demonstrated knowledge of development practices and principles and a track record of success in managing leadership or major gift prospects and in securing gifts.
Demonstrated skill to work within a complex environment with strong capabilities in planning, organizing, and managing.
Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and peers in the Advancement area and with internal partners and external volunteers.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated interpersonal skills.
Flexibility to travel, largely on a local/regional basis.
Occasional weekend and evening work will be necessary, as well as occasional travel nationally.
Affinity and commitment to the mission of St. John’s University.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), including presentations, reporting, and data analysis.
Experience with fundraising and CRM platforms such as Ellucian (Advance/Banner), Salesforce (Affinaquest, Ascend), or Blackbaud (CRM, Raiser’s Edge, NXT), with a focus on prospect management and pipeline tracking.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (e.g., Master’s, MBA, or relevant field) preferred.
Experience in complex, matrixed organizations such as healthcare systems, higher education, research institutions, or large nonprofit environments.
Experience supporting or leading capital campaigns or large-scale fundraising initiatives.
Familiarity with donor databases/CRMs and pipeline management tools.
Experience working with faculty, or academic/institute program leadership.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 prospects in support of the designated division, institute, and/or unit
Develop and implement strategies for the cultivation, engagement, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift ($25,000 and above) prospects.
Determine donor interest and develop and execute an individualized plan for each prospect.
Solicit every prospect for an annual gift during each fiscal year, in addition to major and planned gifts as appropriate.
Recommend suitable giving opportunities and prepare major gift proposals for specific initiatives and priorities.
Participate in and advise on strategies that contribute to the development of a strong prospect pipeline.
Work with other members of the Advancement team to appropriately engage assigned prospects in University activities.
Participate as an active member of the prospect management process, including and especially identifying new prospects and developing strategies for those prospects.
Actively engage with assigned prospects to follow up on, and secure pledge payments in a timely manner to support pledge fulfillment efforts.
Ensure gift recognition occurs and acknowledgements are sent from the appropriate individuals in Advancement.
Partner with division and institute leadership to identify funding priorities, translate programmatic needs into compelling cases for support, and align development efforts with strategic goals.
Lead complex gift negotiations and close gifts that advance institutional priorities.
Provide leadership and mentorship to development staff supporting divisions and institutes, as applicable.
Partner with colleagues across development (annual giving, prospect research, donor relations, etc.) to maximize fundraising outcomes.
Represent St. John’s University externally with donors, partners, and community stakeholders.
Utilize data, analytics, and donor insights to inform strategy and optimize performance.
Play a leadership role in capital campaigns and strategic initiatives tied to divisions and institutes.
Contribute to messaging, case development, and donor engagement strategies.
Collaborate on cross-functional initiatives that span multiple areas of the organization.
Manage one Assistant Director of Development