University of Delaware

Associate Director, Development - College of Arts and Sciences

University of Delaware$75K — $95K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree with at least four years of relevant experience in development, sales, or customer relations.
  • Demonstrated ability to solicit and close six-figure philanthropic gifts or equivalent related experience.
  • Strong organizational and strategic planning skills for program activities and fundraising goals.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills for collaboration with diverse groups and individuals.
  • Exceptional written and oral communication skills, demonstrating tact and professionalism in interactions.
  • Experience working closely with affluent individuals and navigating high-stakes discussions.
  • Detail-oriented self-starter capable of managing multiple priorities and meeting tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

  • Manage a portfolio of 50 to 75 major gift prospects capable of donating $50,000 or more.
  • Conduct all stages of the major gift fundraising process from qualification to stewarding donors.
  • Enhance donor experience through meaningful communications and engagement.
  • Implement solicitation plans aimed at closing gifts within three years.
  • Develop strategies to effectively cultivate and solicit donors based on college and university priorities.
  • Draft proposals and agreements for naming opportunities and recognition for donors.
  • Follow procedures and guidelines in executing fundraising processes.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work model allowing flexibility between remote and in-office work.
  • Collaboration with influential faculty and leadership teams in a prestigious college.
  • Opportunity to develop and implement innovative fundraising strategies.
  • Work in a supportive team environment that values cross-functional collaboration.
Full Job Description
Associate Director, Development - College of Arts and Sciences

Job no: 503171
College / VP Area: Development & Alumni Rel
Work type: Staff
Location: Newark, DE/Hybrid
Categories: Development & Alumni Relations, Full Time, Program/Project Management

PAY GRADE: 30S

CONTEXT OF JOB:

The Associate Director of Development is responsible for major gift fundraising for the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift donors for the college. The emphasis of the position is on the solicitation of gifts of $50,000 or more from individuals.

The Associate Director of Development reports to the Senior Director of Development and works closely with the College of Arts and Sciences leadership, faculty, and staff.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Fundraising (95%)

  • Manage a portfolio of 50 to 75 qualified major giving prospects qualified through capacity, inclination, and timing to make a significant gift of $50,000 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.
  • Follow execution of solicitation plans for all assigned prospects that identify key steps toward moving prospects to a successful solicitation within three years.
  • Acquire knowledge of College and University programs and projects to develop and implement donor cultivation and solicitation strategies effectively and efficiently.
  • Develop draft proposals and agreements for named initiatives and recognition opportunities for donors.
  • Follow and execute stated processes and procedures.

College/Unit Partner (5%)

  • Serve as a DAR contact and support the assigned college/unit Dean, Department Chairs, faculty, and staff with the execution of fundraising strategies and donor engagement activities.
  • Assist as needed with the coordination and scheduling of DAR and College/unit monthly fundraising meetings.
  • Serve as a knowledgeable resource for gift officers who are working with prospects in assigned college/unit.
  • Work 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.

Collegiality:

  • Partner 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.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelors degree and minimum of four years of relevant experience (development, sales, customer relations, etc.), or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Proven ability to solicit and close philanthropic gifts on the six-figure level, or equivalent experience in a related field such as sales.
  • Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to initiate, collaborate, implement, monitor, evaluate, and advance strategic plans that support the activities of the program and contribute to the overall goals and objectives of Advancement and the fundraising enterprise.
  • Superior interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to successfully interact and collaborate with varied constituencies in a professional manner, exhibiting excellent written and oral communication skills, team-building skills, and demonstrating tact, poise, and diplomacy while working with a wide variety of personalities.
  • Ability and comfort in meeting and interacting with individuals of considerable social status and affluence.
  • Ability to apply good judgment and proven responsible decision-making skills; tact and discretion are required to deal with highly confidential alumni, parent, student, family, donor, and prospect information.
  • Must be a detail-oriented, self-starter with an ability to work independently and manage multiple projects and priorities to meet aggressive timelines and challenging deadlines.
  • Working knowledge of electronic mail and calendars, the Windows environment, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and other software such as donor databases, etc.
  • Understanding of regionally based philanthropy along with experience in a higher education or non-profit setting preferred; direct experience with fundraising, volunteer management, and knowledge of the University of Delaware is highly desired.
  • Ability to utilize considerable initiative, independence, originality, and responsibility for recommending and developing new methods, strategies, and techniques.
  • Ability to exercise autonomy in researching, evaluating, developing, and executing activities designed to engage and identify principal and major gifts.


Applications close:

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About University of Delaware

The University of Delaware is a public research university located in Newark, Delaware. It is the largest university in Delaware and the state's flagship institution of higher education. The university was founded in 1743 as a small private academy, and it became a state land-grant institution in 1870. Today, the University of Delaware offers over 300 degree programs across its seven colleges and schools. The university is known for its strong programs in engineering, business, and the sciences, and it is home to several research centers and institutes. The university has a diverse student body and a strong commitment to community engagement and public service.
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