Senior Director of Development - Institute Land, Water and Air

Overview

The Sr. Director of Development for the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water & Air (“Institute”) provides overall guidance and management of the Institute's major gifts program. The position is responsible for the Institute's overall acquisition of philanthropic gifts and coordination on behalf of the Institute across the Office of Advancement. Reporting to the Executive Director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement with dotted line accountability to the Institute’s executive staff, the Sr.

Director of Development (Development Officer SR) is the key Advancement liaison to the Institute. As a development leader on the USU development team, the Sr. Director of Development is highly collaborative, committed to a culture of excellence, demonstrates advanced fundraising competencies and helps sustain USU’s fundraising success and growth through their leadership. This position requires extensive public contact with high-level donors and partners.

This position is based in Salt Lake City, UT. Travel is required.

Core responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the day-to-day planning and oversight of the Institute development strategy and drive fundraising activity related to major gift proposals.
• Develop and implement both annual and long-range goals, objectives and strategies to maximize private support through various sources (with emphasis on corporations, foundations and planned giving vehicles) for the Institute.
• Create and maintain specialized fundraising initiatives as deemed appropriate for the Institute.
• Collaborate with USU leaders and development peers to link donors’ passions with USU priorities and ensure a gratifying gift and/or engagement experience.
• Qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gift prospects for both the Institute and the university, emphasizing collaboration and high-level major gifts. Stewardship activities may comprise up to 15 percent of the role’s assignment.
• Create and maintain an effective rapport with the Institute’s Executive Director and other USU leaders. Coordinate with the Institute to guide strategic development activities and consult with stakeholders to ensure Institute goals are attained.
• Utilize the suite of advancement resources to provide regular progress reports on Institute performance.
• Partner closely with prospect analytics and research, the principal gift workgroup and campaign operations to identify new donor opportunities, analyze performance, implement effective practices and coordinate donor/campaign engagement for Institute prospects.
• Travel to key markets and regions to submit proposals and steward donors.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree plus five years of experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to have complex gift conversations and a track record of closing gifts or negotiating contracts.
• Demonstrated experience building successful, productive and collaborative relationships with top university administrators, deans and board members.
• Coaching experience of professional staff.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, as well as analytical, research and management skills.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the use of information technology to support advancement programs.
• Strong interpersonal skills, particularly with donors, volunteers, and staff members from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to position the Institute Executive Staff to maximize their potential as fundraisers.
• Willingness and ability to travel; evening and weekend work is required.
• Ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders (students, alumni, faculty, staff) from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications:

• An advanced academic degree.
• Experience with capital campaigns.

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

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