Director of Advancement and Strategic Fundraising

Description

The Director of Advancement and Strategic Fundraising develops programs and strategies to identify, cultivate, track, and solicit alumni, parents, foundations, corporations, businesses, and friends of Heidelberg for gifts to fund institutional priorities. The Director of Advancement and Strategic Fundraising carries a portfolio of up to 150 prospects. This position will also be knowledgeable in annual giving and planned giving and will be a significant contributor to the planning, organization, and strategic implementation of other key initiatives to secure ongoing financial resources for the University.  

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Reports directly to the Vice President for Advancement, Alumni, and Community Relations.  Works closely with the University President as needed.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Potentially supervise student employees assigned to the Engagement Center.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Represents Heidelberg University in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of key major, legacy, and annual gift prospects by helping donors accomplish their philanthropic goals while supporting the strategic needs of the institution.
• Works with AACR team members and other campus partners in the overall success of Heidelberg University fundraising.
• Acts as primary manager for a portfolio of up to 150 prospects, to move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure, maintaining a balance between discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards alumni, parents, and friends of the University in support of The Heidelberg Fund and other annual giving programs through personal visits, direct mail solicitations, e-mail solicitations, social media, crowdfunding, and telephone contact to achieve annual goals. 
• Develops new segmentation strategies to increase donor count and dollars raised. 
• Oversees and enforces the Campus Fundraising Policy by approving or denying fundraising requests made by students, faculty, and staff.  
• Leads and achieves a successful annual Day of Giving campaign.
• Partners with Athletics to execute the Berg Days of Summer fundraising campaign.
• Recruits and educates key volunteers for reunion-year fundraising.  
• Works on special initiatives in support of the Heidelberg Strategic Growth Action Plan Campaign in addition to future campaigns. 
• Develops solicitation strategies to meet short- and long-term fundraising objectives.  
• Develops marketing strategies with a focus on annual and planned giving.
• Completes appropriate stewardship activities.
• Utilizes systems and software (Ellucian Banner and Crescendo) to track and cultivate donors and prospects.
• Monitors weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual activity to achieve individual performance measures (e.g., meetings, proposals, annual and major gift revenue).
• Performs other related duties as assigned by supervisor.

Requirements

CORE VALUES AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Core values – models leadership values of integrity, honesty, humility, transparency, respectfulness, diversity, caring, loyalty and accountability in all work. 
• Intellectual dynamism – demonstrates mental sharpness, capability and agility.
• Self-knowledge – gains insight from successes and mistakes.
• Personal learning – seeks feedback and counsel to improve managerial behavior.
• Peer relationships – encourages collaboration and cooperation across the organization.
• Teamwork – performs most effectively as a hard-working member of a team.
• Constituency focus – completes work to meet constituencies’ expectations and requirements.
• Community focus – brings a spirit of enthusiasm and energy to the campus and town.

DESIRED ATTRIBUTES AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Professional Experience:

• (A) Bachelor’s degree; and,
• (B) Three (3) to five (5) years successful experience of demonstrated fundraising success.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• (A) Master’s degree; and,
• (B) Six (6) or more years successful experience of demonstrated major gift success ($ 25,000+) in a higher education setting or compatible experience in a related field.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of all aspects of fundraising.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
• Skill in cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding major gifts with a high degree of integrity and diplomacy.
• Exceptional motivation and creativity.
• Ability to engender confidence, enthusiasm, and promote support of Heidelberg University constituencies.
• Ability to develop and present well-developed strategies, proposals, and implement effective courses of action in prospect solicitation.
• Ability to travel as needed or required, work evenings and / or weekends as needed.
• Ability to relate to diverse cross-sections of individuals.
• Ability to work independently and with a team.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:  Knowledge of operation and use of various office equipment including, but not limited to:  personal computer, including spreadsheet and word processing software, integrated database software, fax machine, copier, telephone, scanner, and printers.  Employees in this position must have a valid driver’s license.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use arms, hands and fingers to operate and manipulate equipment generally found in an office setting.  The employee may be frequently required to be mobile, communicate, and hear.  The employee may occasionally be subject to a variety of outdoor environmental conditions including heat, cold, and precipitation. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than fifty (50) pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.  Mental demands include occasional varied degrees of occasional stress while performing job duties.

The Major Gifts Officer is expected to complete 150 personal visits annually, which requires extensive travel and the ability to work from remote locations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in an office setting, and educational facilities including sports and entertainment venues, all of which may be indoor or outdoor.  The noise level in the work environment will range from moderately quiet to occasionally loud.