Senior Director, Development - Lerner College of Business & Economics

PAY GRADE: 33S Context Of Job

The Senior Director of Development is responsible for major gift fundraising for the assigned College/unit (Lerner), including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major and principal gift donors for the college. The Senior Director will also manage a team of frontline fundraisers, inspiring cross-functional teamwork, and collaboration to drive achievement and close gifts. Serving as the primary development liaison to the assigned College/unit, the Senior Director partners with development colleagues and University-wide administrative and academic partners involved in business curricular and co-curricular programs.

The emphasis of the position is the solicitation of gifts of $100,000 or more from individuals.

The Senior Director reports to the Associate Vice President of Development and works closely with assigned College leadership, faculty, and staff.

• Work closely with the Dean or Director of the assigned College/unit to lead the development and execution of an overall fundraising strategy, establish fundraising priorities, and set fundraising goals.
• Manage a portfolio of 50 to 75 qualified major and principal giving prospects qualified through capacity, inclination, and timing to make a significant gift of $100,000 or more.
• Successfully conduct all stages of the major gift process, which includes the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of identified prospects in the assigned College/unit or in support of University-identified priorities.
• Provide donors and prospects with an exceptional experience moving them to gift closure through thoughtful and meaningful communication and engagement.
• Lead the development and execution of solicitation plans for all assigned prospects that identify key steps toward moving prospects to a successful solicitation within three years. Acquire extensive knowledge of College and University programs and projects to develop and implement donor cultivation and solicitation strategies effectively and efficiently.
• Expertly develop draft proposals and agreements for named initiatives and recognition opportunities for donors.
• Demonstrate leadership by following and executing all stated processes and procedures. Recommend process/procedural improvements as needed.

• Serve as the primary DAR contact and work closely with the assigned college/unit Dean, Department Chairs, faculty, and staff on the development of fundraising strategies and donor engagement activities.
• Lead the coordination and scheduling of DAR and College/unit monthly fundraising meetings.
• Serve as the lead subject matter expert for gift officers who are working with prospects in assigned college/unit.
• Take the lead by working collaboratively with development colleagues who manage College-based donors and prospects with philanthropic interests.
• Assist as needed in the coordination of stewardship reports and activities for prospects with appropriate members of the administration and faculty of the assigned College/unit.
• Prepares various financial, statistical, and analytical reports for management and departmental use.

• Effectively manage a team of direct reports and support their success by setting clear direction, priorities, and goals, providing performance feedback, and conducting formal appraisals.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, teamwork, and achievement amongst staff to achieve overarching DAR goals and metrics.
• Lead by example by modeling best practices, inspiring, coaching, and guiding the team on expectations, policies, and functions.

• Serve as a role model and contribute to strengthening DAR’s culture by demonstrating the desired behaviors of partnering effectively with colleagues within DAR to foster a cross-functional team approach to achieve the goals of the assigned College/unit and the University overall.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree and minimum of seven years of relevant experience (development, sales, customer relations, etc.), or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven ability to solicit and close…