Director of Development Special Gifts

Job no: 499481
Position Type: Staff Full Time
Campus: UMass Boston
Department: VC-University Advancement
Pay Grade: 34
Date opened: 27 Mar 2019 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:

General Summary:

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor Principal and Leadership Gifts, the Director of Development Special Gifts is primarily responsible for developing, managing, implementing and overseeing strategies for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of approximately 200-250 prospective special gift and leadership donors. The Director of Development Special Gifts will create individualized solicitation plans leading to major outright and deferred gifts in excess of $10,000.00, integrating unrestricted and restricted gifts, endowment and capital gifts in support of University fund raising priorities. Responsibilities will significantly include the identification of new prospects in cities across the nation. The Director of Development Special Gifts will serve as a fundraiser for University-wide targeted initiatives and will work closely with Dean’s, faculty and senior administrators in developing and implementing key fund-raising strategies and activities.

Examples of Duties:

• Research, identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward special and leadership gifts from a managed portfolio of 150-200 prospects and donors with capacity to make gifts of $10,000 and more; generally, face-to-face solicitations are expected;
• Advance individual relationships that result in philanthropic contributions;
• Visit 10+ donors/prospects monthly along with significant phone and email outreach;
• Gather data, assess prospects and develop strategies designed to realize the current and life-time giving potential of individual prospects;
• Ensure consistent and appropriate contact, facilitate or make solicitations, and ensure effective stewardship;
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the priorities of the University and make a persuasive verbal and written case for supporting key programs and projects, effectively matching the interests of prospects to specific University needs;
• Articulate the mission of UMass Boston, its programs and activities in a succinct and compelling manner;
• Develop materials used by Deans, Directors, Vice Chancellors, the Provost and the Chancellor for meetings, visits or individual contacts;
• Coordinate specialized appeals targeted at constituent groups associated with a particular discipline, program or initiative;
• Collaborate with senior administrators, deans, faculty and volunteers to develop ideas that translate the University’s fund-raising priorities into gift proposals and to advance special and leadership gift prospects;
• Participate in the planning and execution of special events;
• Submit timely contact reports for each visit with detailed briefing papers;
• Work with planned giving to identify prospects for bequests and other planned gifts to the University;
• Gather, record and properly store information about prospects and donors utilizing Advance the University’s donor and alumni tracking database and use Evertrue;
• Work with the Associate Vice Chancellor, Dean’s, Directors, faculty and staff throughout the university to develop funding opportunities, engage in relationship-building activities of many kinds with faculty, volunteers and prospects; provide general direction for support of university-wide targeted initiatives;
• Plan and implement focused cultivation, solicitation and stewardship for specific gift opportunities;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree, Masters preferred, and five-seven (5-7) years of successful experience in development and fundraising, which includes a minimum of three (3)-plus years of special/leadership gift experience, preferably in higher education, with a record of closing special and leadership gifts is required. Strong interpersonal skills are required, both written and oral, as well as a high level of sophistication and maturity in social and professional settings. Incumbent must be able to travel locally, nationally and internationally to meet with donors and prospective donors to raise money on behalf of the University. Ability to work various hours, including nights and/or weekends required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in fundraising at a complex University is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Discretion and an ability to interact with high-level donors and the ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality;
• Proven track record of successful solicitation and securing special and leadership gifts;
• Ability to be an effective advocate for the University;
• Ability to be proactive;
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a team environment;
• Strong oral, written communication and interpersonal skills;
• Strong commitment to customer service.

Application Instructions:

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.

Salary Range: $90,000-$100,000.

Applications close:

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