Director of Development

Director of Development

Iona University is seeking a dynamic and highly motivated individual to join the University Advancement team as Director of Development.

Reporting to the Vice President for University Advancement, this Director of Development serves as an integral member of the Iona Advancement team. As a relationship owner and major gift officer, the Director is responsible for building and managing a portfolio of benefactors with current or probable future capacity to make commitments of $75,000 or greater to Iona University.

The position will be primarily responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors across a range of constituencies and areas of interest, including, but not limited to, Athletics, the Performing Arts, and other affinity-based communities, with a particular emphasis on strengthening parent philanthropy.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Build and manage a portfolio of 50-70 prospects with capacity to make commitments of $75,000 and above. Meet and exceed accountability measures in annual qualifications, solicitations, meetings, and dollars raised.
• Work collaboratively with members of the Advancement team to plan and execute curated, donor-centric experiences to connect constituents with the University's mission and community.
• Leverage appropriate resources to conduct research for identification and qualification of new prospects. Implement strategies to build long-term relationships through meaningful cultivation and stewardship.
• Oversee Current Parent Giving ntify and cultivate 10-15 new parent major gift prospects each year, aligning opportunities for philanthropic impact with the current priorities of the University.
• Provide strategy and direction in advancing the Parent's Leadership Council. Recruit parent members and execute bi-annual meetings, maximizing the opportunity for parents to engage while also cultivating parent prospects with ability to make major gifts.
• Partner with campus leadership, such as the Director of Athletics, Director of Performing Arts, and others to identify and advance meaningful opportunities for philanthropic impact within affinity programs.
• Attend and support the planning and execution of select Iona events and signature initiatives throughout the year. These will include the Annual Trustees Scholarship Gala, the Winged Foot Golf Outing, Homecoming Weekend, and others.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience with demonstrated success building and managing a donor portfolio within a high-functioning organization of philanthropy. Institutions of higher education a plus.
• Demonstrates a commitment to the pillars of service, persistence, and collaboration.
• A familiarity with the mission, profile, and history of Iona University, and an understanding of fundraising at a Catholic institution of higher education.
• Knowledge and experience cultivating and closing gifts from a range of affinity groups, including but not limited to parents of current students, the Performing Arts, and in support of Athletics.
• Demonstrated success closing commitments of $75,000 and above a plus.
• An energetic, entrepreneurial spirit with the proven ability to increase the donor base through great discovery and qualification work.
• Understanding of prospect mapping and relationship building with prospects, aimed at closing major gifts.
• Ability to understand and communicate clearly the current priorities of the University to donors throughout the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship process.
• Proven ability to set priorities, be innovative, and challenge the status quo.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Founded in 1940, Iona University is a private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona is a growing, highly accredited institution located just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan, with campuses in New Rochelle, Bronxville, and a new location in County Mayo, Ireland. With over 4,000 students, Iona offers small classes, engaged faculty, and a wide range of programs across the School of Arts & Science, the LaPenta School of Business (AACSB accredited), the…