Job Description

Job Purpose

The position is a front-line advancement professional with emphasis on the solicitation of funding and procurement of community relationships across all departments within BattenUniversity. This highly connected executive is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of business and corporate partnerships, utilizing the President as the central figure in advancement. The individual is responsible for building and maintaining a portfolio of corporate targets and initiating outreach with strategic points of contact and senior executives, with the goal of presenting long-term partnership opportunities that will create growth, enrich campus life, and increase funding. Responsibilities will also include collaboration with internal faculty and staff on grants, presentations, managing contact records, and liaising with key prospects, current partners, and external parties. The position requires active networking, strategizing, and hospitality as an individual and as an ambassador for BattenUniversity, including all affiliated departments, affinity groups, and constituencies.

Duties and Responsibilities
• Essential job duties:
• Cultivates, solicits, and stewards a growing portfolio of business and corporate prospects.
• Develops, finalizes, and submits corporate and foundation proposals.
• Strategically manages active portfolio of business, corporate and major gifts to move prospects through the cultivation and solicitation cycle.
• Researches each prospect to determine prospect background, giving capacity, and potential interest. Develops individual strategies for each prospect including next steps.
• Generates all correspondence and personalized communications with portfolio of corporate prospects.
• Schedules 15-20 visits per month connected to portfolio.
• In conjunction with the Office of the President, schedules President's Council fall and spring business meetings, provides innovative presentations, reports, and other activities that engage the Council in serving the campus community and its students; identifies and presents prospective Council members for the President's consideration.
• Utilizes the department's moves-management process and ensures accuracy and consistency of data regarding prospect status, ask amounts, strategies, internal points of contact.
• Coordinates fundraising efforts with alumni relations and marketing officers.
• As needed, provides support to the President of the University and Advancement team members in cultivating and soliciting gifts.
• In concert with the President, coordinates communications messages and activities of the department and fundraising initiatives.
• Stay abreast of key issues related to campaigns and be knowledgeable about the University, its operations, and its constituencies.
• Is a communicative and cooperative member of the Advancement department.
• Represents the Center for Advancement by attending key cultivation events on campus and in the community.
• Is available for evenings and weekends as duties may occasionally require.
• Adheres to ethical conduct that will inspire confidence among donors and other constituents, and maintains confidentiality in all matters as they relate to sensitive donor-relations issues.
• Provides fundraising and logistical support for all capital projects on campus, strategizing with the Office of the President on effective communications of such projects to internal and external University constituencies.

Qualifications

Education
• Bachelor's degree required
• Advanced degree preferred

Experience
• Minimum of five years of experience in fundraising with a demonstrated track record of success in major-gift fundraising and Trustee interaction.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; strong organizational skills. Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office and relational databases.

This description is to be regarded as a general overview of the responsibilities required for this position. It is not intended as a contractual agreement; other related duties may be assigned.

Location

Virginia Wesleyan has often been defined by its desirable and unique location in Coastal Virginia. Located in Virginia Beach, the University is just minutes from the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay on a beautiful 300-acre park-like campus. The area is home to a host of business, governmental, and cultural institutions, as well as rich historical and natural resources. Nestled in the heart of one of Virginia's largest metropolitan areas, Virginia Wesleyan is physically insulated from the bustle of the city traffic, and yet the vast resources of its surrounding urban area are easily accessible. Our region is proud of its vibrant city life, sandy beaches, and rich history. Learn more at visitvirginiabeach.com/explore.