Special Information - This position is a hybrid position which allows the incumbent to complete their work at both an NAU site, campus, or facility and at a non-centralized site with or without accommodation.
- This position is posted as Director of Development, Intermediate or Senior Director of Development , which are working titles. The NAU system titles for this position are Director of Development 2 or Director of Development 3.
- Driving a vehicle on behalf of the university is anticipated to be a regular part of this position. Arizona Administrative Code Fleet Safety Policy requires all employees who drive on university business become authorized by submitting Driver's license information for driving record monitoring, and completion of training appropriate to the level of driving performed. The law applies to all faculty, staff, and students who drive personal or university-owned motorized vehicles for any business purpose. More information on the NAU Authorized Driver Policy can be found on the NAU website.
About the Position Northern Arizona University seeks an experienced, dynamic Director of Development to pursue philanthropic support from individuals, foundations, and corporations for the Steve Sanghi College of Engineering (SCE). The Steve Sanghi College of Engineering is designed for students who want an active role in where tomorrow takes us. The world demands more experts in technological fields, and the SCE is at the helm of addressing the need. SCE provides high-return on investment opportunities for students to apply what they learn in the classroom. The Sanghi College is building the future in alignment with NAU's Elevating Excellence strategic priorities (NAU 2025 - Elevating Excellence).
This position is posted for a Director of Development, Intermediate or Senior Director of Development position.
The Director of Development Intermediate and Senior positions are responsible for overall leadership and management of the college's development efforts. The position(s) plan and direct comprehensive strategies for the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of gift prospects for the SCE. Major gift development (defined at NAU as $50,000 or more) is the primary focus of the position(s). Additional responsibilities include working with staff in Alumni Engagement, Planned Giving, Donor Relations, Annual Giving, Communications, and Corporate and Foundation Relations to meet NAU engagement and fundraising goals and metrics. One of the positions will lead the college's extensive corporate fundraising program and strategic partnership development.
Either Director of Development positions will also interact with volunteer and advisory boards both at the department/unit level as well as at the college level. The position will lead SCE volunteer and advisory boards, including: Mechanical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Construction Management, the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, and Dean's Advisory Council. The Director of Development position will collaborate and partner with colleagues and peers across campus while building strong alumni and donor relationships. Significant personal interaction with alumni, friends, prospects, parents, donors, and corporate partners is required. The university is currently in the public phase of its comprehensive campaign.
The Senior Development Director will also participate in and help influence the college's strategic planning efforts.
The Director of Development position will report to the SCE Dean with a dotted reporting line to the Associate Vice President of College Fundraising.
Responsibilities Include 65% - Fundraising
- Prioritize, engage, and manage a major gifts prospects, including corporate partners capable of philanthropically supporting SCE priorities.
- Annually solicit and close major gifts of $50,000 or more in support of SCE and campaign priorities.
- Responsible for the overall leadership, strategy, and management of SCE's significant development program efforts, including the coordination of the cultivation-solicitation-stewardship cycle.
- Depending on position, work with OR lead and facilitate all aspects of the SCE volunteer advisory board including, relationship building, goal setting, assessments, strategic planning, fundraising, and overall support of SCE student success and program initiatives.
- Work with SCE leadership to support top priorities, and coach internal partners on fundraising strategies, and ensure all parties understand plans and timetables.
- Facilitate interaction with prospects for the SCE dean, faculty, staff, and other natural partners.
- Participate fully in the university's comprehensive fundraising program, including its prospect management system.
- Serve as a strategic partner to Advancement | Foundation colleagues by providing timely updates and recommendations on SCE programs and initiatives.
- Produce strategy and meeting reports to capture a detailed history of donor engagement effectiveness.
- [Senior] Annually solicit and lead the development of complex proposals for high-net worth individuals, corporations and foundations and close major gifts of $50,000 or more in support of SCE and campaign priorities.
- [Senior] Collaborate on principal-level fundraising of $1M or more in support of NAU and campaign priorities.
10% - Planning and Goal Setting
- Develop an understanding of the mission and goals of NAU, including knowledge of SCE and its various units and major entities within the university.
- Work with SCE and NAU leadership, along with SCE faculty and staff to identify prospective donors, establish strategic fundraising plans, and execute cultivation/solicitation strategies.
- Assist leadership in setting significant goals for visits, contacts, and fundraising targets; then be directly accountable for achieving the goals.
10% - Leadership and Management
- Partner with Advancement Coordinator who assists with travel preparations, budget reconciliation, meeting scheduling, and data processing.
- Support in the management of assigned unit/college development program budget.
- [Senior] Provide supportive leadership, assign work, and monitor execution of SCE Coordinator position.
- [Senior] Coach and mentor development director positions on best practices in donor engagement.
- [Senior] Provide insights and feedback to leadership regarding donor trends and market dynamics.
5% - Communication and Marketing
- Collaborate with Advancement | Foundation leadership and SCE Dean to set and communicate fundraising priorities and vision for meeting NAU's strategic goals with internal and external stakeholders.
- Work with volunteers, advisory board members, and Foundation Board members to promote SCE and NAU.
- Partner with Advancement Communication team on the development of materials such as proposals, impact reports, fundraising one-pagers, thank you cards, etc.
5% - Stewardship
- Collaborate with SCE leadership and Donor Relations team to plan and execute a comprehensive stewardship program including, but not limited to gift agreements, acknowledgements, and annual donor stewardship.
- Provide stewardship to scholarship/award stewardees not in the major gift portfolio.
5% - Other
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in business, communications, marketing, or related field.
- Minimum of two years' experience as a front-line fundraiser in a comprehensive development program or equivalent experience in a related field, such as sales.
- Required experience includes established record of closing major gifts or revenue metrics that support organizational priorities.
- [Senior] Minimum of three years' experience as a front-line fundraiser in a comprehensive development program or equivalent experience in a related field, such as sales.
*A combination of related education, experience, and training may be used as an equivalent to the above Minimum Qualifications.
Preferred Qualifications - Master's degree in relevant field.
- Experience in higher education or non-profit setting.
- Experience in major gift and/or corporate fundraising principles and practices at a major university.
- Capital/comprehensive campaign experience.
- Proven ability to engage, motivate, and work with prospects, volunteers, university officials, faculty and staff or similar constituencies.
- Working knowledge of a donor database.
- Understanding of and appreciation for Northern Arizona University, its cultural and geographic specificity, and its commitment to student success.
- Proven ability to work independently; a self-starter with energy, humility, and enthusiasm.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Knowledge
- Direct experience with fundraising, volunteer management.
- Proven ability to solicit and close philanthropic gifts at the five and-six-figure level, or equivalent experience in a related field such as sales.
Skills
- Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to initiate, collaborate, implement, monitor, evaluate, advance, and report on strategic plans that support the activities of, and contribute to, NAU Advancement | Foundation's overall strategic goals and targets.
- Superior interpersonal skills with proven ability to successfully interact and collaborate with varied constituencies in a professional manner, exhibiting excellent communication skills, and demonstrating tact, poise and diplomacy while working with a wide variety of personalities.
Abilities
- Demonstrated team player with the ability to gain trust and confidence of colleagues and constituents.
- Experience and credibility when presenting materials to both internal and external constituents including individuals from a variety of diverse backgrounds.
- Demonstrated commitment to excellence, honesty, transparency, and high levels of collaboration.
- Must be a detail-oriented, self-starter with a demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple projects and priorities to meet aggressive timelines and challenging deadlines with minimal staff support.
- Deep commitment to higher education and with the knowledge and ability to champion Northern Arizona University and its mission.
- Working knowledge of electronic mail and calendars, the Microsoft environment, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and other software such as donor databases, etc. and ability to run, analyze, and summarize computer-generated reports.
- Must be able and willing to travel frequently to attend relevant programs and events, and to meet with current and prospective donors to further cultivation and solicitation strategies (approximately 25 - 50% time).
- Ability to make travel arrangements using prudent fiscal considerations.
- Must be able and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends.
- Entrepreneurial spirit, taking initiative and actively seeking to deepen current donor relationships and forge new ones.
- Ability to work with sensitive information and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
Compensation Salary range for the Director of Development, Intermediate begins at $102,983.
Salary range for the Senior Director of Development begins at $118,430.
Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.
