Georgia State University · 1 day ago
Senior Director of Development
Atlanta Metro
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
$110K/yr - $130K/yr
2+ years expGeorgia State University is a national leader in student success, research, and innovation. They are seeking a Senior Director of Development to lead major gift strategies and manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors, aiming to raise significant funds annually for the university's priorities.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
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
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
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
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
Commit to ethical standards and adheres to the Donor Bill of Rights
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
Qualification
Required
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
Experience in higher education and/or nonprofit organization
Knowledge of CRM software applications, such as Salesforce/Ascend
Benefits
Generous benefits, including health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, etc.
Professional development opportunity and mentorship
Company
Georgia State University
Georgia State is an urban public research university and national model for student success in Atlanta, the cultural and economic center of the Southeast.
5001-10000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Subhashish Samaddar
Professor at GSU & Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer
Allison Calhoun-Brown
Sr. Vice President for Student Success and Chief Enrollment Officer
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