POSITION: CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

LOCATION: VP OF UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT

JOB SUMMARY: New Jersey City University is searching for a Chief Development Officer (CDO). Reporting to the President, Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, and the Foundation Board of Directors. The Chief Development Officer (CDO) is the Executive Director of the New Jersey City University Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, as well as a key member of the team working with the President of the University. The CDO sets the vision and guides the Foundation strategically with oversight from the Board of Directors and in alignment with the University’s mission. S/he is also responsible for day-to-day operational excellence and exemplary donor relations.

The CDO leads university-wide development/fundraising and, through strong relationships with key constituents, secures private support for the benefit of the University and its mission. This person is a strong leader who is responsible for activities constituting effective and trustworthy stewardship of the Foundation’s assets, including effective governance of the investment portfolio and real estate assets through its subsidiaries. The CDO is accountable to lead and develop a team of highly motivated professionals who will oversee development/fundraising, technology and operations, and Foundation finances. S/he works collaboratively with the Board of Directors, as well as the leaders throughout the University to ensure that all activities and resources are aligned with the University’s priorities.

In addition to important fundraising goals in support of University priorities, the Foundation is focused on aligning with the University’s goals, ensuring operational excellence through continuous improvement and innovation and leveraging the Foundation’s strategic and operational expertise, financial acumen and assets in partnership with the University to engage the resources of the private sector. The CDO is the primary spokesperson for the Foundation, participating actively with donors and in the communities touched by the University and its alumni.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Provide vision and leadership for the Foundation relating to the development programs of the University. On an on-going basis, over multiple years, maintain momentum through major donor cultivation and solicitation and monitor and report progress to the Board and the University. In collaboration with the Board Chair, facilitate the deliberations of the Board of Directors to ensure alignment of strategy, goals, budgets and new initiatives to support the University’s mission. Serve as the key liaison to the Board and its committees; providing updates, soliciting feedback and engaging board members in dialogue on issues that matter. The CDO helps to identify and recruit directors who will help ensure the success of the Foundation. In addition, the CDO works to ensure meaningful engagement for each director. Work closely with the University’s Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and the Division of Student Affairs to develop, monitor and assess the budgets for the residence halls and residential life programming to ensure compliance with bond covenants. Strengthen relationships with bond investors by ensuring consistent and accurate financial reporting for the Foundation’s subsidiary, West Campus Housing, LLC. Partner with the Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and various academic divisions to assess the financial viability of joint University/Foundation related real estate projects. Engage leaders within the private sector to support advancement activities for the University, including the development of new revenue sources necessary to achieve the University’s aspirational goals. Ensure the appropriate stewardship of the Foundation’s assets, including active participation with investment and real estate advisors. Work closely with the President of the University as an active member of the executive team and with the Board of Directors to develop fundraising strategies that support the University’s strategic planning priorities and needs. Build credible relationships throughout the University that ensure a broad understanding and support for the unique role of an independent nonprofit foundation established to serve the needs of a public university. Work with the University development staff to establish fundraising strategies best suited for specific purposes for colleges, schools or other campus units; to measure fundraising progress and productivity; to assist with donor cultivation activities and to personally cultivate and solicit individuals, corporations and foundations. Serve as the key spokesperson for the Foundation, clearly articulating strategies and the Foundation’s relationship with the University and its mission. Build, lead and motivate a high performing, collaborative team that is committed to the Foundation’s success and understands the critical balance among stewardship, intimate donor relationships and bold programmatic initiatives. Help to build and sustain the culture within the University that values individual development and achievement in an environment of collaboration and strong team work. Role model a culture of accountability and integrity. Administer the Foundation by ensuring the highest standards, including transparency in donor stewardship and communication. Value the contributions of volunteers and seek ways to engage alumni and friends of the University to their best advantage. Provide for recognition that is genuine and meaningful for volunteers at all levels.

REQUIREMENTS: Minimum Qualifications: Successful leadership track record in a large academic or nonprofit setting with the scope and financial complexity to provide a smooth transition to this role. Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret financial metrics, and with implementing changes that improve financial outcomes. Previous fiscal management accountability and comfort with the fiduciary responsibility accompanying an organization with a multi-asset base. Demonstrated success leading a team of motivated professionals by establishing the right balance of clearly articulated values, autonomy to act and accountability to perform to high standards. Demonstrated ability to inspire creative thinking and to ensure fact-based decision making. Successful fundraising experience as a development professional and proven ability to lead the foundation, steward the endowment, and mentor a team of development professionals to achieve aggressive annual and multi-year fundraising goals. Demonstrated success in providing both strategic vision and accountability for consistent execution and operational excellence.

Desirable Qualifications: High Integrity – The stewardship of other people’s money requires this, the staff thrives on it and the University expects it. Commitment to Public Higher Education – Personal commitment and passion for public higher education, learning and research. High Intellectual Capacity and Curiosity – The University and Foundation value both quick thinking and deep thought. Caring and Empathetic – The staff and donors expect authenticity. Hardworking – This is a significant role with time required by all constituents: donors, university leaders, board, staff and community. Sophistication – This job requires someone who understands the challenges of the University, the needs of the donors, the aspirations of the Board and the capacity of the team. Strong Communicator and Presenter – The CDO must speak and write to many audiences on a broad range of issues. These communications must be transparent and motivating.

EDUCATION: A Master of Business Administration Degree from an accredited college or university and fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in resource development, fundraising, marketing and/or public and community relations.

EXPERIENCE: Experience in assessing the viability of P3 real estate projects and with managing Foundation owned real estate assets on behalf of a University. Experience in a leadership role where success is dependent on building strong relationships within a political environment in which limited resources must be allocated among competing priorities. Experience working with a diverse, sophisticated and engaged board operating in the public domain.

Demonstrated Competencies:

Financial Acumen: The CDO must have the financial acumen equivalent to serving as the Chief Financial Officer of the Foundation. This includes demonstrated success in successfully managing a complex financial portfolio that includes real estate, investments, operations and personnel. The CDO must demonstrate a strong grasp of federal rules and regulations pertaining to the financial management of 501(c)3 non-profits, as well as complex financial vehicles such as public private partnerships (P3’s).

Fundraising and Relationship Building: The CDO must enjoy working with donors to help them realize their charitable goals. In working with individual donors, as well as corporations and foundations, the CDO must be genuinely excited about and enthusiastically committed to the University and its mission. The CDO will have demonstrated success in relating to people of all ages, articulating a compelling case and leading a team that is client-focused and creative in its approaches to donors. The CDO will thrive on building personal relationships inside the University and with both community and corporate leaders. This person must broaden the Foundation’s relationships with donors. Success will be measured by the relationship of the Foundation’s partnership with the University.

Working Collaboratively within the University and the Community: Understanding the environment of the University, combined with the mandate of an independent nonprofit foundation, the CDO must have strong self-confidence. It is important for the Foundation to work in partnership with many entities within and outside the University. The CDO must be able to initiate collaborations that will benefit the University, as well as move into existing long-standing partnerships. It is critical that the CDO have demonstrated the ability to work within a setting that includes multiple leaders, multiple boards, multiple constituents and multiple cultures, within an academic setting.

Leading Strategically: The CDO will be comfortable leading without a map. The University and Foundation expect a bold vision and creative thinking that can also be realized through the efforts of a cohesive and high performing team. The environment is challenging and changing. The CDO must be capable of leading entrepreneurially and independently within the bureaucracy of the University. The CDO will be comfortable with ambiguity and capable of bringing clarity to decision making processes.

Licenses and/or Certifications: Must have earned the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certificate.

We offer a competitive Compensation and Benefits Package

New Jersey City University is an equal opportunity institution. Applications from women and underrepresented minorities are strongly encouraged.

Cut-Off Date for Filing Applications: Friday, May 24, 2019