Senior Director of Development, Natural Sciences

ASU Foundation for a New American University • Tempe, AZ

3d

About The Position

The Senior Director of Development, Natural Sciences for The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is a fundraising professional responsible for generating philanthropic support for ASU from individuals, foundations, corporations, and other organizations. The role works collaboratively with the ASU Foundation for A New American University (ASUF), the Dean of Natural Sciences, the division’s leadership team, and academic unit-based development officers. Its primary focus is major-gift fundraising and foundation support for Natural Sciences.

The position is externally focused and manages a regional and national portfolio of major-gift prospects, generally involving gifts of $100,000 or more. The Senior Director develops and carries out strategies to identify, cultivate, and solicit annual, major, and planned gifts, and prepares proposals, budgets, and related materials to secure philanthropic investments. Effectiveness is evaluated against financial goals and contact metrics, including donor growth and retention, prospect development, proposals, visits, and gifts closed.

The Senior Director also leads assigned development staff by setting priorities and goals, coaching and mentoring employees, and directing and evaluating their work. The position reports to the ASUF Executive Director of Development in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. It requires national travel as needed and a flexible schedule that may include early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Seven years of successful professional development and/or fundraising experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience demonstrating comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Documented success personally implementing sophisticated, multiyear cultivation strategies using relationship-building and moves-management approaches that lead to successful gift closure.
• Demonstrated ability to secure major grants and gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other private funding sources.
• Knowledge of development and fundraising principles and techniques, preferably in higher education.
• Demonstrated achievement in securing philanthropic investments.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-based environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and effective communication in person, in writing, and by phone.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding Foundation and University business and prospect information.
• Ability to solve problems, take initiative, set priorities, and remain flexible in complex situations with competing constituencies.
• Ability to represent the institution well and support ASU’s vision as the New American University.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and ability to handle multiple projects and evolving priorities.
• Curiosity and ability to grasp scientific and technological concepts at a foundational level to develop informed proposals.
• Ability to secure personal appointments and qualify new prospects.
• Ability to prepare complex, detailed proposals and related materials.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and comfort using donor/prospect database systems such as Salesforce.
• Demonstrable experience with donor-relations plans that lead to additional investments.
• Ability to travel nationally as necessary to engage and solicit major prospects.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include early mornings, evenings, and weekends for meetings and events, and to meet demanding work-schedule expectations.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, and execute a comprehensive fundraising program to identify, cultivate, and solicit annual, major, and planned gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
• Manage fundraising metrics for Natural Sciences initiatives, including donor count, new prospect identification, cumulative giving, donor retention, major-gift proposals, and new gifts and commitments.
• Collaborate with academic unit-based development officers to develop and implement sustaining and major-gift fundraising strategies for Natural Sciences prospects.
• Work with divisional academic leadership to develop philanthropic concepts that may lead to major-gift funding.
• Manage a regional and national portfolio of major-gift prospects, developing and executing strategies that lead to solicitations and investments aligned with donor interests or foundation funding requests and ASU opportunities.
• Meet personal fundraising metrics, including face-to-face visits, portfolio giving growth, donor retention, major-gift proposals submitted, major gifts closed, and new gifts and commitments.
• Travel with leadership as necessary to carry out strategic development plans for regional and national major-donor prospects.
• Develop and submit written proposals, budgets, and other materials to secure philanthropic investments.
• Lead, develop, and oversee assigned development staff; establish priorities and individual goals; provide coaching, training, and mentoring; and direct and evaluate work.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution.
• 22 days of vacation time.
• 11 holidays, including the employee’s birthday.
• Parental leave.
• Significant tuition reductions.
• Professional development opportunities; employees are encouraged to explore new interests across the organization.
• $30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior