Major Gifts, Regional Programs, Senior Associate Director

Major Gifts, Regional Programs, Senior Associate Director

New Orleans, LA, United States

Job Description

MAJOR GIFTS, REGIONAL PROGRAMS, SENIOR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

The Major Gifts, Regional Programs, Senior Associate Director will be responsible for Tulane's major gift program in an assigned region, including the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals, with a focus on securing gift commitments in the range of $100,000 to $1,000,000. This position will work closely with colleagues across Advancement including school/unit major gifts officers, reunion class officers, and alumni relations staff, with the purpose of optimizing Tulane's short‑term and long‑term fundraising success in the region. The position will also work closely with other departments within the Office of Advancement including Gift Planning, Stewardship, Corporate & Foundation Relations, Alumni Development Information Services, and other university relations departments throughout the university.

Responsibilities

Identifies and qualifies new prospective major donors and volunteers in assigned region. Manages a portfolio of qualified individual prospects (alumni, parents, and friends). Develops a broad and deep understanding of the unique culture, philanthropic community, and Tulane network in the assigned region.

Travels on a regular basis for personal meetings with prospective major gift donors. Solicits major gifts, including annual gifts and planned gifts as appropriate. Documents contacts with volunteers, donors, and prospects in database.

Serves as the subject matter expert for a unit and meets regularly with the unit leader to stay informed about programs and fundraising priorities.

Communicates this information to Advancement teams to maximize prospect advancement for the unit. Works with Advancement Communications and Marketing to create gift proposals and other informational documents which highlight the program’s strengths and needs. Staffs and/or helps others Advancement members prepare to staff the unit leader in meetings with prospects and donors. Assists with the unit’s Advisory Council, if any, including but not limited to developing strategies for Council members and assisting in the council meetings. Across Advancement, participates in setting strategy for prospects and donors of the unit.

In collaboration with development colleagues, creates and implements major gift solicitation and stewardship strategies, considering donor interests and financial situation as well as university and unit priorities. Develops effective strategies for donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, including stewardship and appropriate recognition for donors and volunteers. Consults with colleagues across the university on prospects to ensure donor‑centric, coordinated approaches and strategies. Convenes colleagues who travel to the same geographic regions to ensure coordination and collaboration.

Engages volunteers in a variety of ways related to fundraising efforts. Helps connect volunteers, donors, and prospects to strategic engagement opportunities with Tulane programs. Helps reunion program, alumni relations team, and gift officers as appropriate or needed, such as regional event planning or volunteer recruitment. Under the direction of the department head, staffs Regional Major Gifts Committee for the Tulane Campaign. Staffs the President, Provost, deans, Executive Vice President, trustees, and others as needed in the region.

Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree and 5 years' direct fund‑raising or related experience in the solicitation and closing of major and multi‑year annual gifts in a research university environment preferred. Transferable, related experience such as marketing, admissions, public relations, alumni relations, trust officer, or sales may be considered.

OR

High school diploma or equivalent and 11 years' directly related experience.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to write and speak in a clear, sincere, and compelling manner, and to articulate and represent the mission and vision of Tulane University.

Experience in prospect identification, relationship building, and solicitation, preferably in higher education.

Experience in asking for large gifts and/or staffing volunteers to ask for large gifts.

Ability to travel substantially (50%), as well as attend events on evenings and weekends.

Excellent organization skills, including the ability to manage multiple activities, demands, and/or projects simultaneously, while maintaining a high degree of effectiveness, a spirit of collaboration, and a sense of humor.

Demonstrated initiative and self‑starting capacity.

Ability and professional style to work with university leadership, trustees, volunteers, and top donors in an effective and sophisticated manner.

Experience working with sensitive information and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience in a research university environment.

Commitment to the values of an institution of higher education.

Ability to articulate and represent the mission and vision of Tulane University.

Knowledge of various software systems, such as Word, Excel, and a prospect management database.