Director of Development

Cheyney University Advancement Officer

Proudly standing as the nation's oldest HBCU, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania has been a stalwart and highly respected institution of higher education since our founding in 1837. For over 185 years our alumni have emerged as leaders and left their mark on the social, economic, and political history of Philadelphia, the surrounding region, the nation, and the world. Building on this legacy, the vision for Cheyney University is to become the premier model for academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility. We value scholarship, diversity, integrity, respect, and service. We are committed to maintaining a vibrant educational community that is dedicated to promoting scholarship and lifelong learning for its students, offering wide student access to resources to ensure an opportunity for all to acquire an education, encouraging freedom of thought and freedom from discrimination by ensuring a respectful environment, and provide outreach and service to external and constituent communities, demonstrating their understanding of the importance and value of service. We're looking for exceptional individuals who share our values, embrace our mission, recognize our potential, and covet the opportunity to continue to move our historic University forward. CU proudly offers a positive and purposeful work environment; comprehensive employee benefits including health, vision, and dental insurance along with many wellness programs; generous retirement plans; a commitment to work-life balance including generous paid vacation, paid sick time, military leave and paid time off for most major holidays; and a University mission to support employee personal and professional growth including a tuition waiver for self and family members, training and development, and advancement opportunities.

The incumbent will report to the Chief Advancement Officer and work in close communication and collaboration with the Advancement team to ideally identify, cultivate, and solicit philanthropic support by developing and maintaining relationships with corporations, foundations, and individuals. This employee will contribute directly to the overall University Advancement strategy and campaigns.

Essential Job Function:

• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors, ensuring timely steps toward cultivation and solicitation of major gifts; Assists other department members to cultivate donors and request donations.
• Develop strategies to cultivate and solicit increasing size and number of gifts from individuals and organizations.
• Responsible for researching or supervising research on information regarding potential donors or regarding potential sources of funding for the university.
• Work with IA team to develop, plan, implement and evaluate objectives and strategies for major gift prospects and overall advancement campaigns; Takes lead in coordinating specific major donor relations events.
• Develop fundraising strategies and methods or activities to ensure proper acknowledgement, recognition, and stewardship of donors; collaborate effectively with PR to this end.
• Develop comprehensive planned giving outreach and marketing strategy to be implemented across giving programs; assists with coordination of various donor relations events;
• Draft gift proposals and donor agreement for major gifts.
• Complete regular and timely fund-raising reports and maintains a current database of prospects and potential donors.
• Develop and maintain positive and mutually beneficial relationships with individuals and corporations or foundations to promote the major gift fund-raising awareness process.
• Represent the University at special events.
• Participate in special projects and other duties/events as assigned.

Additional Duties & Responsibilities: Handle sensitive issues and information with confidentiality and discretion.

Education, Training, and/or Experience: A bachelor's degree. (Master's degree is preferred); Minimum of five years of fund-raising experience or related development experience in a higher education or non-profit environment. Experience in capital campaigns is desirable; background in successfully marketing and securing major gifts, preferably in higher education; strong knowledge of Advancement and/or Fundraising software Blackbaud Raisers Edge; Relevant professional credentials are preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Marketing and presentation skills
• Proved record of securing major gifts (preferably higher-ed environment)
• Ability to make oral and written presentations to prospective donors and volunteers
• Ability to work independently in fast paced environment
• Knowledge of Raiser's Edge software is an asset
• Ability to interact with diplomacy and tact amid influential clients and diverse groups
• Ability to maintain relationships with significant and influential individuals
• Ability to solicit gifts
• Ability to adapt and respond to various situations
• Ability to travel as necessary.

Instructions for Applying: A complete online application will include the following attachments. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

• Cover Letter
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae

MAILED, EMAILED or FAXED application materials will not be considered. All offers of employment are subject and contingent upon satisfactory completion of all pre-employment criminal background checks.

Cheyney University an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.