Regional Director of Development - Major Gifts (NY Metro)

Regional Director of Development The Regional Development team is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with alumni and friends to raise major gifts for the University of Georgia. The Regional Directors of Development build a culture of philanthropy in regions across the country while strengthening affinity for the University. Through traveling to various territories, Regional Directors provide strategic direction and leadership for UGA’s alumni and friends as they make philanthropic and volunteer decisions across the university. Regional Directors make strategic engagement with alumni, parents, and friends a top priority by using a blend of in-person constituent meetings, virtual meetings when necessary, and collaboration with internal stakeholders to engage individuals and organizations in their local markets. Expectations are for Regional Directors to conduct up to 160 planned, strategic meetings with top prospects each year. Most of those meetings will be in-person based on planned and coordinated outreach. Travel should be coordinated with the availability of top prospects and coordinated with key internal stakeholders. This team is an extension of the development efforts of all schools and colleges in addition to the various academic units and the Athletic Association. Because this group spans a wide geographical area and represents the entire university, regional directors demonstrate a donor‑centered approach by maximizing each donor’s philanthropic potential and passion for investing in any area of the University of Georgia. This Regional Director’s assigned region includes cities across the metropolitan New York area and encompasses the greater New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut coverage areas. Though subject to change based on institutional priority, this position may include other regions to be determined as needed. It is preferred the candidate reside in the states of New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut, with a primary focus on fundraising in the NY metropolitan area and more broadly. Special Instructions to Applicants This position is structured as a permanent position within the Division of Development & Alumni Relations. We are unable to sponsor a work visa for this position. It is preferred the candidate reside in the states of New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut, with a primary focus on fundraising in the NY metropolitan area and more broadly. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience Preferred Qualifications Prefer candidate to reside in the states of New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut with a primary focus on fundraising in the NY metropolitan area and more broadly across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of professional experience related to sales, marketing, development, business administration, higher education, project management, or relationship management. Major gift fundraising in Higher Education ($50k and up). Knowledge of private funding landscape in higher education. Ability to maintain high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to university business and confidential donor and prospect information. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies Proven record of accomplishment of success in fundraising or similar role Ability to cultivate and solicit private gifts from high-level prospects Self-starter and highly motivated Collaborative style combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment. Excellent writing skills with extreme attention to detail and confident, strong verbal communication Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible. Team-oriented strategist able to effectively manage complex situations Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects Analytical, with adherence to self-guided goals and deadlines Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities Skilled using Microsoft Office products such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint Creative thinker with ability to receive constructive feedback on ideas Ability to respond to donors needs and concerns in a kind and professional way Additional Division Expectations Through open, honest, and respectful communication, all staff, supervisors, and colleagues of the Division of Development & Alumni Relations are expected to interact with fairness, compassion, and decency. All employees will be held accountable for meeting the expectation of promoting a stable, productive, and healthy work environment. Adherence to CASE standards and commonly accepted industry standards relating to fundraising reporting are expected of all fundraisers. All fundraisers will be held accountable for meeting this expectation. Physical Demands Travel in and out of state if necessary. Driving as needed to perform job responsibilities. Work evenings and weekends, as necessary. Sit and work at a computer workstation for an extended amount of time. Work using electronic mail, telephone, face-to-face discussions, paper form correspondence. Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listening. Organize and establish priorities; Remember detail; multi-task. Lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Walk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, climb. Duties/Responsibilities (40%) Conduct a minimum of 11 monthly scheduled meetings with prospective donors, alumni, assigned portfolio and UGA constituents in assigned region. The purpose of the meetings is to discover, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward University-wide prospects and donors. Basic expectation of a meeting is that it is a scheduled and agreed upon face-to-face meetings between the Regional Director and the prospect. Territories to conduct monthly meetings include cities assigned to the Regional Director based on institutional priority, wealth ratings, and alumni density. Purpose of the meetings is to cultivate, solicit, and steward assigned and newly identified prospects and donors for current and deferred gifts of $50K+ to benefit any School, College, or Unit within the University of Georgia. (20%) Design and implement fundraising strategies to secure Principal gifts ($1 million+) and major gifts ($50K+) in support of the University’s strategic priorities. Fundraising goals are established and agreed upon annually by the Senior Regional Director and the Regional Director in consultation with the Senior Director of Regional Programs. Develop and continue to increase a portfolio of prospects with capacity of $50K+ in collaboration with the Research & Prospect Management teams and the Senior Regional Director. When appropriate, participate in prospect strategy meetings with Regional Team, Research & Prospect Management team, volunteers, etc. (20%) Complete managerial processes critical to travel, scheduled meetings, and fundraising performance. Complete telephone/correspondence/preparation/follow-up; record meetings, interactions, and plans in the giving & alumni database (GAIL) in a thorough and timely manner after the completion of individual meetings and/or trips. Prepare timely, accurate, and relevant proposals, presentations, and other fund-raising materials as needed for solicitation. Develop a strategy or plan for each prospect assigned with a written solicitation strategy in place for each person. Plan and/or participate in quarterly strategy planning sessions for assigned regions with internal university stakeholders. Perform administrative duties as needed. (20%) Work collaboratively with development and alumni colleagues across campus on prospects, alumni, and constituents to maximize giving potential for Schools, Colleges, and Units fundraising priorities. Create and execute fund raising plans for assigned regions with School/College/Unit fundraisers, Alumni Association, and other internal stakeholders. Work with School/College/Unit fundraisers to fulfill requests to schedule meetings with prospects for the Regional Director’s assigned region. Attend division and development staff meetings, scheduled individual strategy meetings as well as agreed upon professional development activities. About the University of Georgia Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university ( The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine. About the Regional Development Team The Regional Development team builds and maintains relationships with alumni and friends to raise major gifts for the University of Georgia. The Regional Directors build a culture of philanthropy in regions across the country while strengthening affinity for UGA. Through frequent travel to assigned cities, this team provides strategic direction and leadership for alumni and friends as they make philanthropic and volunteer decisions. EEO Policy Statement The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (View email address on click.appcast.io). USG Core Values Statement The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, and the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USGBoard Policy 08.02.18.01.02. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom. #J-18808-Ljbffr