Santa Clara University · 4 months ago
Senior Director for Development, School of Law
Santa Clara, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$145K/yr - $171K/yr
8+ years expSanta Clara University is committed to securing resources for its strategic funding priorities and enhancing relationships with alumni and donors. The Senior Director for Development, School of Law will manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and lead the cultivation and solicitation efforts for significant donations, working closely with university leadership.
EducationHigher EducationUniversities
Responsibilities
Lead the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of 125 high-net-worth prospects ensuring that each receives regular and strategic contact, including face-to-face visits, phone, and email communication. Meet annual metrics set with the Senior Executive Director of Development
Collaborate with academic leaders and other development officers to develop multi-interest proposals and promote organized and strategic outreach to our donors
Produce well-written, accurate, and timely follow-up and related correspondence such as comprehensive proposals, related budgets, contact reports, cover and thank you letters, e-mails, reports, and briefings in support of cultivating, soliciting and stewarding assigned prospects
Incorporate planned giving alternatives as necessary and appropriate. Coordinate planned giving requests
Interact with deans, directors and/or University administrators in the form of fundraising strategy development, meeting and event attendance and written briefings as they pertain to assigned prospects and prospect development
Track and record activities as they relate to assigned prospects using Blackbaud CRM constituent management software
Regularly reports to the Assistant Vice President of Individual Giving on personal fundraising performance, including future projections
Work with the Assistant Vice President of Individual Giving to actively contribute to strategic planning, decision-making, and goal setting to further University Relations strategic priorities
Participate as an active member of the Office of Development, sharing information and collaborating with colleagues respectfully and professionally; contributing to a healthy and positive work environment
Perform other duties as assigned in support of Santa Clara University's mission
Qualification
Required
Ability to effectively establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment
Knowledge of higher education
Demonstrated understanding of major giving, annual giving, and planned giving programs, with an emphasis on personal solicitations
Knowledge of scholarship and financial aid programs
Experience in budget development, implementation, and tracking
Understanding and appreciation of the mission of Santa Clara University and the vision and values of a Jesuit Catholic educational institution
Must be a goal-oriented and self-motivated individual who can demonstrate accountability, initiative, creativity, and focus in a rapidly changing and intellectually stimulating environment
Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate, build alliances, and achieve results within a population that may possess competing interests, opinions, and /or expectations
Demonstrate strong active listening skills and ability to negotiate positive outcomes
Positive attitude, sense of humor, and flexibility
Proficiency in using fundraising databases (or similar)
Required to have a valid driver's license and personal vehicle available for frequent travel to business meetings (mileage is reimbursed under federal guidelines)
Demonstrate a level of comfort working and communicating with top executives, community leaders, and/or University leadership
Ability to motivate, build long-term relationships with, and gain the respect of internal and external clients
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of internal and external constituents
Demonstrated ability to craft solicitation strategies in support of strategic initiatives
Verifiable track record of soliciting individuals/organizations for financial investments and the ability to articulate and advocate a strong case for support
Demonstrate the ability to manage time and workload, multitask, and achieve goals in a deadline-driven environment
Demonstrate a genuine appetite to contribute to a collaborative, ethical, and professional team environment
Ability to work on the road and/or work at odd hours and on weekends
Demonstrated ability to multitask in a deadline-driven environment with a healthy attitude to attaining goals; to work independently and as a member of a staff team; to exercise sound judgment and discretion; to promote collaboration
Bachelor's degree required
8+ years of related professional experience
3+ years of direct major gift fundraising experience
Verifiable track record of raising $1,500,000 and above annually
Valid driver's license
Preferred
Master's degree of JD
Law School-specific experience preferred
Experienced university fundraising with broad knowledge of the principles and practices of major gift fundraising, and a verifiable track record of having secured gifts of $100,000+
Company
Santa Clara University
Jesuit University in Silicon Valley
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$100MKey Investors
National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing BiopharmaceuticalsKnight Foundation
2024-04-09Grant
2022-04-07Grant
2017-01-22Grant· $100M
Leadership Team
T
Tim Harris
Dean’s Executive Professor, Coord Contemporary Business
Recent News
2025-11-05
Morningstar.com
2025-10-24
Company data provided by crunchbase