Rutgers University

Associate Director of Development, Rutgers Democracy Labs

Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree and/or 4+ years of professional experience in fundraising or related fields.
  • Proven experience in securing major gifts, particularly $50,000 and above.
  • Strong understanding of donor relations and engagement strategies.
  • Ability to articulate organizational needs and priorities effectively.
  • Experience with fundraising for policy and education is preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Build and manage a major gifts donor portfolio, focusing on gifts above $25,000.
  • Solicit and close gifts while meeting established fundraising goals.
  • Organize strategic donor meetings and events.
  • Cultivate relationships with faculty and staff to enhance fundraising efforts.
  • Articulate RDL's funding needs in compelling proposals and presentations.
  • Contribute to the development of new fundraising initiatives.
  • Collaborate with colleagues to ensure adherence to operational policies and effective communication.
  • Track progress and maintain data on donor interactions and events.

Benefits

  • Office-centric hybrid work schedule.
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance for employee and dependents at no cost.
  • 403(b) retirement plan with matching employer contributions.
  • Three weeks of vacation, five wellness days, and fifteen sick days annually.
  • Nine official holidays and four floating holidays.
  • Significant tuition reductions for employees.
  • Encouragement of professional development with opportunities for skill advancement.
  • $40 monthly cell phone reimbursement.
Full Job Description
Reporting to the Senior Vice President (SVP), the Associate Director of Development (ADOD) will be focused on major gifts fundraising for the Rutgers Democracy Lab (RDL). The ADOD will translate research and technical subject matters in a way that compels varied audiences. The ADOD will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects and donors, with an eye toward building the major gift pipeline.

Essential Functions

  • Build and maintain a portfolio of donors and prospects at the major gift level (defined as gifts or pledges above $25,000) with responsibility for the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of a diverse base of supporters including alumni, institutions, and friends.
  • Actively solicit prospects and donors and meet mutually established goals related to solicitations, gift closures, prospects met, and qualifications. This includes utilizing various giving vehicles, such as in-kind and planned gifts.
  • Strategically organize the Director's time and resources as it relates to donor meetings, special events, and School/University leadership meetings.
  • Develop positive, professional, and collaborative working relationships with the faculty and staff members within RDL.
  • Clearly articulate, in written and verbal form, the needs and priorities of RDL to make a compelling case for support.
  • Be a major partner in the development of new and revised fundraising initiatives as RDL grows.
  • Collaborate with RDL and Rutgers University Foundation (RUF) colleagues to effectively communicate and comply with operational policies and procedures; accurately analyze and maintain reports, data, and unit documents; and follow RUF policies and procedures as they relate to prospect management, solicitation, and follow-up procedures.
  • Ensure timely reporting and tracking of contacts, solicitations, events planning, etc. through RUF tracking systems (i.e., CRM system, events calendar).
  • Develop cutting-edge cultivation strategies and networking activities in partnership with advancement colleagues, including prospect research, alumni records, and donor relations.
  • Other duties as assigned


Competency Aptitudes

Leadership

  • Set Clear direction for a project or sub-team of colleagues; provide feedback and develop staff


Autonomy

  • Manage assigned programs, projects, and/or sub teams
  • Manage a personal major gift donor/prospect portfolio with a focus on securing gifts at or above the $50,000 level


Complexity

  • Ability to devise strategies and execute on increasingly complex projects (interdisciplinary initiatives)


Strategy

  • Develop and submit written proposals, budgets and other collateral materials as needed for securing significant ($100K+) philanthropic investments


Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree and/or 4+ years of professional experience in fundraising, alumni relations, non-profit organizations, event planning, higher education, or related fields.

For this position, experience fundraising for policy and education is preferred.

Working Conditions

This position requires clarity of focus while juggling complex projects or deadlines with little physical effort. Will work evenings, weekends, or odd hours to meet resource-raising commitments. Typical working conditions with an absence of disagreeable elements. This position requires some early mornings and late evenings to accommodate meetings, travel, events, and external constituents' schedules.

Workplace Arrangements

This is classified as an office-centric hybrid position. Colleagues working under an office-centric hybrid arrangement have a primary workstation in a university or foundation location and are in the office between one and five days a week. The frequency with which they are present in the office depends on their role and function and the interdependency of other functions.

Compensation and BenefitsThe position is budgeted for an annual salary of $90,000. In addition to salary, Rutgers University Foundation offers:

  • Office-centric hybrid work schedule
  • Comprehensive medical
  • Comprehensive no cost dental, and no cost vision insurance for employee and dependents
  • 403(b) plan with matching employer contribution
  • Accrual of three weeks of annual vacation time, in addition to five wellness days and fifteen sick days per year
  • Nine holidays, as well as four floating holidays
  • Significant tuition reductions
  • Professional development is highly valued at the Rutgers University Foundation, where employees are encouraged to look across the organization to develop new skills and abilities for professional career progression.
  • $40 monthly cell phone reimbursement


About Rutgers University

Rutgers University is a public research university that offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. The university has three main campuses in New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden, New Jersey, as well as several satellite locations. Rutgers University was founded in 1766 and is the eighth-oldest college in the United States. The university is known for its strong programs in the sciences, humanities, and social sciences, as well as its commitment to public service and community engagement. Rutgers University is a member of the Big Ten Conference and has a strong athletic program.
Learn more about Rutgers University
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