Senior Director of Development

ABOUT UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT

Georgia State University Advancement works to further Georgia State's status as a national leader in student success, research and innovation, and cultural impact. By connecting with alumni, engaging donors, and increasing philanthropic support for students and scholars, we're helping to transform lives and build our global community. The University Advancement Division furthers the university and its mission through several departments, including Development, Corporate & Foundation Relations, Alumni Relations, and the Georgia State University Foundation.

These are exciting times at the University Advancement. We are growing, and we are thrilled that you are interested in being a part of our team. We are surrounded by individuals empowered to use their expertise and talents to achieve our mission to identify, cultivate, and steward donors.

Are you ready for us? Are you seeking an opportunity with purpose and direction? If you are, we have the perfect opportunity for you! We hire great people from a wide variety of educational, career, and personal backgrounds, not just because it is the right thing to do but because it makes us a stronger team.

University Advancement is seeking (1) Senior Director of Development to join the already incredible team taking Georgia State University to the next level of excellence!

WHAT MAKES UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT A GREAT PLACE?

• Generous benefits, including health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, etc.

• A knowledge-sharing organization that works collaboratively with cross-campus and external partners

• Professional development opportunity and mentorship

• A rapidly growing center within an academic setting

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Job Summary

Under the leadership of the Assistant Vice President for University Advancement, the Senior Director of Development will be a major gift front-line fundraiser, responsible for leading major gift strategies from identification through stewardship. Senior Directors of Development will manage individual portfolios with prospects capable of giving gifts in excess of $100,000. Portfolios will range in size from 120-150 individuals, face to face visits will be 10-15 visits per month, and fundraising goals will be equivalent to and at a minimum of $1-2M annually. Senior Directors are responsible for having comprehensive understanding of university priorities regularly meeting with prospects and donors (with a focus on face-to-face visits), regularly meeting with advancement colleagues and academic leaders, preparing briefing materials and gift proposals, attending events and staffing and/or supervising projects as assigned.

Job Duties

Fundraising:

• Serves as an expert or lead development professional in a specialized area such as major / principal gifts, gift planning or corporate / foundation relations, or a specific academic discipline that includes, or potentially includes, donors capable of making very significant contributions to the campus. The Senior Director of Development (SDOD) works to develop, coordinate, and implement a comprehensive fundraising and donor relations program for current funding priorities and ongoing needs, seeking both outright and planned major and principal gifts. Lead and manage activities in coordination with Advancement and conduct them according to Advancement, campus, and GSU fundraising policies. Oversee the recruiting and training of volunteers to assist in appropriate capacities in the fundraising program. Steward and expand the cohort's fundraising program for private support from alumni, community members, foundations, and corporations. Collaborate with fellow development officers to identify gift designations which are reflective of donor intent and Georgia State University's priorities.

• Manage a portfolio of donor prospects that include the most influential, complex or highest capacity-rated donors. Personally identify, cultivate, solicit, negotiate, and provide stewardship for individuals, corporations, and foundations capable of contributing major and principal gifts in excess of $100,000 to $1M+. Maintain principal and major gifts prospect/donor portfolio ($100,000 to $1M+ figure prospects) for personal solicitation and oversee the design and execution of individualized strategies for the solicitation/negotiation and successful closure of major and principal gifts. Develop and/or review fundraising proposals. Prepare feasibility studies for proposed fundraising programs. Assist individual departments, programs, or research units in planning and marketing specific initiatives and programs to prospective funding sources. Develop and write leadership briefings, talking points, gift proposals, white papers, and/or informal descriptions for gift ideas. Meet with faculty and administrators to identify needs and develop specific proposals and solicitation methods. Ensure proposals correspond to prospect's interests.

• May maintain and manage portfolio(s) of senior campus leadership including the President of the University and the Deans. Provide leadership for professional staff and other development officers in soliciting major and principal gifts, special and annual gifts, and planned gifts. Work cooperatively with other development officers, faculty, administrative personnel to coordinate successful cultivation and solicitation efforts. Provide front line staff support to the President, the Vice President of University Advancement, the Associate Vice President for Development, , and other university leaders as appropriate. Identify, organize, and direct the efforts of volunteer leaders. Partner with University Advancement and GSU Deans to lead and oversee strategies, communications, and activities for volunteer participation in fundraising.

• Qualify major gift prospects and solicit gifts directly. Set fundraising priorities and solicitation strategies for programs and projects consistent with campaign priorities and in line Georgia State University policies. Consult with the AVP, Development, SEDOD, EDOD, academic leadership, faculty, and staff to identify, develop, initiate and manage fundraising programs.

• Ensures that predetermined fundraising goals/designs and implements highly specialized program activities to achieve these goals.

• Providing support for School of Public Health, Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, and College of Education and Human Development Cohort.

Strategic Operations Management:

• Presents formal fundraising proposals to major donors and prospects or prepares senior management for the presentation of proposals. Participate with the members of the University Advancement leadership team to develop short- and long-term strategies for ongoing fundraising initiatives and campaign planning, with special emphasis on providing leadership to efforts to identify and cultivate prospects, building networks and creating environments that enhance communication and collaboration between individuals responsible for differing development areas.

• Serves as resource for assigned area of expertise, interacting with prospects, donors, staff and outside professionals to provide information, advice and counsel regarding assigned specialized program(s). Manage and mentor development staff toward achieving the development goals of the school. Work effectively with University Advancement leadership and Human Resources regarding any personnel issues. Prepare, monitor, report, and manage the annual budget for this unit adhere to allocated budget. Responsible for applying University values, policies, procedures and regulatory requirements to ensure consistent operations and reliability of financial reporting. Work effectively and collaboratively with University Advancement leadership, GSU Foundation, and AD of Business Operations regarding budgetary and financial issues.

• Analyzes needs and creates strategic and long-range plans for fundraising and other advancement programs and may have the authority to make commitments and precedent-setting decisions regarding program design, development, and procedures. Establish and maintain an efficient records management system. Ensure timely reporting to the Senior Leaders of University Advancement on the status of pledges and gifts and Ascend/Salesforce CRM entries. File and review contact reports, attend prospect management meetings, and compile timely and meaningful reports of development operations to adequately inform Advancement leadership and colleagues.

• May oversee the work of professional and support staff. Manage an effective administrative unit. This responsibility includes: Supervise assigned professional and support staff, and provide leadership and direction for the development fundraising programs. Screen applications, interview candidates and either make selection decision or recommend individuals for hire. Train and assign work to new and continuing employees. Provide guidance on performance standards and University procedure. Independently conduct performance evaluations, including communication with subordinate. Make recommendations for employee incentive awards and salary increases including merits and reclassifications. Determine what discipline should be imposed for subordinates, with authority to apply such, and/or submits/recommends same to higher level management.

• Writes complex proposals for solicitation of high value individuals, corporate, and / or foundation prospects. May attend functions, meetings and serve on internal / external committees as a representative of the location.

Donor Relations and Stewardship:

• Develops, creates, writes, implements, and / or evaluates individualized marketing plans and / or strategies for cultivation and solicitation of major gifts, gift planning or corporate / foundation prospects (strategies typically require a high degree of innovation). Plan and implement special events and programs designed to involve an increasingly wider circle of current and prospective donors. Perform range of activities related to donor recognition and stewardship. Partner effectively and coordinate donor relations activities with the Director of Donor Relations and the Donor Experience Officers.

• Creates, establishes and evaluates methods for building / maintaining prospect and volunteer constituencies and identifies, recruits, and directs the activities of high-level volunteers. Plan and host visits by donors or their representatives. Establish programs to increase community interest and involvement.

• Individuals will carry a portfolio of 120 - 150 prospects. Carry out 10 - 15 face-to-face visits per month. Consistently raise a minimum of $1M - $2M annually.

Teamwork and Collaboration:

• Serve as a thoughtful, collaborative and accountable team. Utilize the services of and partner with University Advancement's central service teams to maximize effectiveness of development programs. Participate as an effective team colleague in regard to campus-wide fundraising initiatives. Work cooperatively with development officers, faculty and administrative personnel to coordinate successful cultivation and solicitation efforts. Attend and actively participate in University Advancement team meetings, team-building activities, committees, etc. when requested to do so. Engage in committee/work groups/task forces for University Advancement as part of responsibility to the larger campus community. Commit to fostering GSU's Mission by encouraging the best possible working and learning environment. Commit to the highest standards of civility and decency toward all and to promoting and supporting a community where all people can work and learn together in an atmosphere free of abuse.

Other:

• Commit to ethical standards and adheres to the Donor Bill of Rights. Commit to the highest standards of civility and decency toward all and to promoting and supporting a community where all people can work and learn together in an atmosphere free of abuse.

• These responsibilities are not intended to be all-inclusive. It is understood that the employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties if requested by the supervisor. Responsibilities are reviewed periodically and may be revised if deemed necessary.

• Individuals will also be required to work nights and weekends, when necessary, travel (via plane, train, or car) at least 15% of the time within and outside of the state of Georgia. As our program is complex and in a phase of rapid innovation, the ability to adapt to quickly changing environments is key.

Minimum Hiring Standards:

• Bachelor's degree and two years of superior performance in face-to-face solicitation of gifts of $50,000 or more, or equivalent experience in a related field, or a combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in higher education and/or nonprofit organization

• Knowledge of CRM software applications, such as Salesforce/Ascend

To be fully considered for this position, all candidates must submit the following at the time of submission:

• A complete and accurate GSU application.
• Resume.

• Cover Letter outlining your experiences as they relate to the purpose and mission of GSU Advancement.

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