Senior Director of Development, Batten School & VIMS

Senior Director of Development, Batten School & VIMS

In University Advancement, we create the conditions for opportunity – human, financial, & experiential by garnering and stewarding the resources that advance William & Mary. The mission of the Advancement Office at The Batten School of Coastal and Marine Sciences & VIMS is to oversee all fundraising efforts for its benefit. The mission of William & Mary's Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) is to seek and broadly communicate knowledge in marine and coastal science to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world through research, education, and advisory service.

The Batten School & VIMS make seminal advances in understanding coastal and marine systems through research and discovery, translate research findings into practical solutions to complex issues of societal importance, and provide new generations of researchers, educators, problem solvers, and managers with an education of unsurpassed quality. This position is assigned 5% effort to support the VIMS Foundation with the responsibilities outlined below.

The Senior Director of Development is an essential member of the William and Mary's Batten School's Development team. The Senior Director reports to the Executive Director of Advancement and VIMS Foundation at the Batten School & VIMS and is responsible for the developing fundraising strategies and tactics and leadership of a team of fundraisers. The Senior Director will develop and manage a portfolio of donors and build philanthropic strategies for donors and prospects who support the school's priorities.

They also work closely with internal partners in the Office of University Advancement, including other school and unit development professionals, regional gift officers, colleagues on the marketing, communications, events, stewardship, alumni engagement, and annual giving teams, and staff and faculty partners on campus.

The Senior Director will develop an appropriate-sized major gift portfolio of prospects by the end of their second year in the position and will be expected to conduct an appropriate number of $50,000 asks based on the portfolio. In addition to annual dollars raised, performance goals include the number of asks and closes, activity/move measures, and the number of prospects identified and qualified for major gift potential.

The Senior Director will help foster a culture of belonging that embraces all people and perspectives. This position will be located in the VIMS Advancement office near historic Yorktown, VA on our scenic Gloucester Point campus and offers a flexible work environment.

This position is classified as professional, meaning it is salaried and exempt from overtime. For benefits and leave purposes, this role falls under the "12-month Professionals & Faculty" classification on the HR website.

Conditions of Employment

• This position may require additional hours beyond typical work hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Must have the ability to travel extensively throughout the assigned region.

Salary: $120,000 to $130,000 commensurate with experience and internal alignment.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
• Commitment to the university's values of belonging, curiosity, excellence, flourishing, integrity, respect, and service, including, but not limited to, collaboration, staffing and programming.
• Progressively responsible experience in academic or non-profit fundraising (typically, 7+ years).

• Demonstrated success identifying, qualifying, soliciting, cultivating, and stewarding donors at the lead annual and major gift ($50,000+) level.
• Fluency in using persuasive language to promote visionary gift opportunities, with the proven ability to identify, qualify and cultivate prospective major gift donors and desire to exceed goals.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to deal effectively and discreetly with donors, colleagues, and other appropriate officials.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to work effectively in a metrics-driven environment and a commitment to building a culture of engagement and philanthropy.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and with a diverse constituent base needed.
• Strong organizational skills, an entrepreneurial spirit, independence and the ability and desire to work effectively and successfully with minimal supervision, while managing complex priorities and projects concurrently.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated management or leadership experience.
• Demonstrated ability to reach aggressive goals, soliciting and securing private gifts.
• Campaign experience within a higher education or nonprofit environment.

Position Duties

Fundraising and Portfolio Management, 60%

• The Senior Director's primary focus is identifying and qualifying prospects who may or may not have existing ties with the university to build a pipeline of donors.
• Qualify, build, and manage a…