Description

Governors State University (GovState) invites qualified candidates to apply for the position of Director of Fundraising which works under the administrative guidance of the Vice President of External Affairs and CEO for Governors State University (GovState) Foundation. The Director is responsible for raising revenue to support the University's mission, vision, and strategic initiatives. The Director will cultivate, steward, and secure donations for various constituents: alums, organizations, and individual and institutional donors. The Director will serve as an ambassador for GovState and the Foundation. The Director executes the strategy and management of an assigned portfolio with the responsibility of maximizing unrestricted and restricted funds, major gifts, and estate gifts, and is expected to retain and expand assigned portfolio. The Director will lead a staff of fundraisers to achieve GovState objectives and goals.

Governors State University is the only regional, public, comprehensive university in Chicago's south suburban area, serving approximately 7,750 students. GovState provides affordable and accessible undergraduate and graduate education to culturally and economically diverse students with undergraduate tuition that is the most affordable in the state.

Established in 1969, GovState emphasizes excellence, access, and innovation. Students benefit from the university's high academic quality, range of convenient class times, increasing hybrid and online, and off-campus offerings, and outstanding educational value. GovState is committed to securing and maintaining academic accreditation for programs where accreditation is available. Furthermore, GovState seeks to become a national leader in the successful transfer of community college students to universities and recently introduced the Dual Degree Program with features such as tuition lock-in at GovState for academically eligible community college students who commit to earn an Associate Degree and attend college full-time.

The campus, conveniently located in University Park, Illinois, is characterized by the quiet of its scenic 760 acre campus amidst vigorous suburban and business growth, towns of character and interest, along with Metra access to the vibrancy of the Chicago Loop, just 35 miles away. The campus and surrounding community enjoy the excellent cultural offerings of Governors State University's Center for Performing Arts, as well as its acclaimed Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.

Essential Responsibilities

Essential Responsibilities

45% Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward alums, prospects, corporations, and foundations. Represent the Advancement Office to stakeholders to establish long-term partnerships and strengthen existing relationships that result in funding for immediate and long-term goals of the University. Collaborate with key stakeholders to maximize fundraising opportunities and other resources for GovState. Oversee and determine approaches to achieve agreed-upon short- and long-term goals and establish their priorities.15% Oversee and manage fundraising staff including department collaborations, team strategies, development best practices, approaches, and effective initiatives ensuring goals and objectives are attained. Provide leadership, conduct hiring, and evaluate performance of direct reports. Create and foster a culture of collaboration and teamwork that promotes results and builds a team environment.
15% Maintain appropriate records in Slate for Advancement and ensure staff of fundraisers keep accurate records. Manages donor information and produce data-driven measurement and reporting of the progress of fundraising goals.
20% Collaborate with Alumni Relations and other stakeholders to host events and activities for fundraising purposes. Proposes strategic partnerships and key collaborations with other departments and University partners to identify fundraising prospects. Works collaboratively to succeed in fundraising goals, campaigns, annual giving, multi-year
giving, and estate planning.
5% Perform other duties assigned by Vice President of External Affairs I CEO GovState Foundation.
Other Responsibilities
Perform duties in adherence to establish University policies, regulations, and standard code of ethics.
Supervisory Responsibility
The director will supervise the development and major gift officers.
Work Environment
• Work venues involve a variety of environments including office, social events, presentations,large and small meetings, and interactions with individuals.
• Flexible to work early morning, evening, and weekend as needed.Required and Preferred Qualifications

Required Education and Experience• Bachelor's degree
• Five years experience at a professional level in fundraising and/or constituent management.
• Progressive experience in fundraising, gift solicitation, constituent relations, and campaigns.
• Supervisory experience.

Desired Education and Experience
• Advanced degree
• Minimum of seven years of fundraising experience and a proven record of building relationships
with donors and securing gifts.
• Highly motivated, achievement oriented, collaborative, creative, persistent, and committed to
ethical fundraising practices.
• Fundraising experience in higher education.

Competencies• Ability to represent GovState appropriately when interacting with external constituents through all
communication vehicles.
• Ability to take initiative and be driven to overcome objections and develop relationships from cold
calls and networking events.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to interact with university leadership, advisory board members, staff, alums, donors,
funders, and external constituents.
• Ability to interact with constituents with high sensitivity, confidentiality, and professionalism.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback, coaching, and counseling for direct reports.
• Analytical skills

Supplemental Information

Please attach the following documents to your application:

Cover letter

Resume

Transcripts

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until position is filled. For priority consideration a complete application should be submitted by February 16, 2025.