Associate Director of Development, Presidential Initiatives

Reporting to the Director of Development, Presidential Initiatives, the Associate Director (ADOD) will develop knowledge of Presidential and University-wide Initiatives as assigned, and identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects and donors for Presidential Initiatives, with an eye toward building the major gift pipeline. The ADOD will also assist with the coordination and administration of projects and/or processes, and with the preparation and control of records, reports, data and other key documents. Presidential and University-wide initiatives focus on social mobility and academic excellence across Rutgers, including: Scarlet Promise, Rutgers Future Scholars, the Edge Fund, and Rutgers University Libraries.  

Essential Functions  

• Alongside the Director of Development, partner with assigned University leaders to create a compelling story for external support, and develop and implement an engagement and fundraising plan that suits each program/initiative.  

• Manage a portfolio of major gift ($25,000+) prospective donors with independent responsibility to develop and execute strategies leading to successful cultivation and solicitation activities 

• Actively solicit prospects and donors and meet mutually established goals related to solicitations, gift closures, and donor/prospect engagement.   

• Help develop a pipeline of new major donors through engagement and stewardship of annual donors.  

• Support upcoming events, meetings, key initiatives if needed and/or schedule and prepare for these programs/events 

• Other duties as assigned 

Competency Aptitudes 

Leadership 

• Own complex projects with senior leadership support  

• Set clear direction for a project or sub-team of colleagues 

• Demonstrate a collegial, understanding leadership style that values team members and University partners 

Autonomy 

• Manage assigned programs, projects and/or sub teams 

• Manage a personal major gift donor/prospect portfolio  

Complexity 

• Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of department/project/program 

• Ability to devise strategies and execute on increasingly complex projects (interdisciplinary initiatives) 

Strategy 

• Manage operational components for department 

• Develop and submit budgets and other collateral materials as needed to advance a university initiative 

Education and/or Experience 

Bachelor's degree and/or 4+ years of professional experience in fundraising, alumni relations, non-profit organizations, event planning, higher education, or related fields. 

Working Conditions 

This position requires clarity of focus while juggling complex projects or deadlines with little physical effort. Will work evenings, weekends, or odd hours to meet resource-raising commitments. Typical working conditions with an absence of disagreeable elements. This position requires some early mornings and late evenings to accommodate meetings, travel, events, and external constituents’ schedules. 

Workplace Arrangements 

This is classified as an office-centric hybrid position. Colleagues working under an office-centric hybrid arrangement have a primary workstation in a university or foundation location and are in the office between one and five days a week. The frequency with which they are present in the office depends on their role and function and the interdependency of other functions. 

Equal Employment Opportunity  

It is Foundation policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants. The Foundation prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, genetic information, and any other characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and/or local laws. Equal employment opportunity applies to hiring, placement, transfer, promotion, demotion, recruitment, advertising or solicitation for employment, treatment during employment, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, selection for training, layoff, or termination.