Job no: 493326
Work type: Administrative (Full Time)
Location: Marion, IN
Categories: Administrative/Professional, Other

Job Title: Director of Development

Reporting Relationship: Vice President for University Advancement

Unit: Wesley Seminary

Department: Wesley Seminary

Campus Location: Wesley Seminary Building, Marion, IN

Summary of Position: The Director of Development is responsible for developing and overseeing a strategic plan for seminary advancement. This includes achieving the giving goals of Wesley Seminary accomplished through annual, major, and planned gift development. The Director of Development works with the President of Wesley Seminary to formulate the funding initiatives, the annual, capital and planned giving goals, and the strategies to fulfill those goals. In addition, the Director of Development role is to establish a foundation for long-term advancement at Wesley to provide financial stability in the years to come.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a qualified significant gift portfolio
  • Work with the President of Wesley Seminary to identify major gift prospects for Wesley Seminary and strategies to develop/continue relationships
  • Develop communication strategies to share Wesley Seminary’s impact and inspire engagement and involvement with potential and current donors
  • Establish trusted professional relationships with prospects and donors in the portfolio
  • Develop and implement creative annual engagement plans for each prospect and donor that deepen and broaden their appreciation for a Wesley Seminary education and accelerate their receptivity to a significant gift proposal
  • Orchestrate meaningful connections of prospects and donors with the WS President, administrators, faculty, staff, and students
• Participate in Wesley Seminary events and activities regularly to be fully identified with Wesley Seminary and to represent its purposes effectively (i.e., graduation, consecration services, residential weeks, retreats, and worship services)
• Serve as liaison between Wesley Seminary and IWU/Marion Advancement
• Manage the seminary development budget
• Develop and manage a comprehensive, strategic, integrated effort to build Wesley Seminary’s base of annual donors to fulfill the yearly goals for the Wesley Seminary Fund
  • Coordinate a year-round acquisition and cultivation program involving direct mail, telemarketing, and all online donor cultivation, solicitation, and retention forms
  • Personally present written proposals for major gifts
  • Specify proposed gift amounts and designations of gift, including restricted initiative, unrestricted funds, and bequest or irrevocable planned gift
  • Negotiate gift agreements and develop and implement personalized stewardship plans in future annual engagement plans
• Oversee seminary alumni communication and connection
• Speak and moderate presentations at Wesley Seminary, Board, Executive, and IWU/Marion events as requested
• Meet regularly with Wesley Seminary faculty, executives, administrators, and staff to build relationships and gain insights that help advance the Seminary's advancement strategies
  • Pursue the highest performance potential and encourage colleagues to do likewise
  • Foster a collaborative and inclusive spirit among subordinates, peers, and superiors within Wesley Seminary and the IWU/Marion community
• Other tasks assigned by the Wesley Seminary President

Qualifications: According to Indiana Wesleyan University employment policy all employees must possess a strong Christian commitment and adhere to the standards outlined in the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement.

Education

• A bachelor’s degree is required; a graduate degree is preferred

Experience

• Demonstrated success negotiating and securing investments in a product or service, ideally one with an intangible and charitable value proposition
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures

Required Skills

• Demonstrated success negotiating and securing investments in a product or service, ideally with an intangible and charitable value proposition
• Possess a willingness to learn the features of various planned giving methods and their benefit to different types of donors
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, written, and public speaking skills
• Ability to articulate and relate the mission, vision, values, and goals of Wesley Seminary and the programmatic area in which the Director serves
• Organization and budget management skills
• Personal character and integrity that guide the ethical practice of major-gift development work
• Christian faith and lifestyle that positively reflects the ethos of Wesley Seminary
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time, including nights and weekends

Diversity Statement

IWU commits to create a community that reflects kingdom diversity. We will foster an intentional environment that exhibits honor, respect, and dignity. Acknowledging visible or invisible differences, our community authentically values each member’s earthly and eternal worth. We refute ignorance and isolation and embrace deliberate and courageous engagement.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER

As a religious educational institution operating under the auspices of The Wesleyan Church, Indiana Wesleyan University is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees on the basis of religion (42 U.S.C., Sections 2000e-1 and 2000e-2).

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.

Advertised: 28 Aug 2023 US Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 14 Jan 2024 US Eastern Standard Time