Associate Director, Development - Lerner College of Business & Economics

Associate Director of Development

The Associate Director of Development is responsible for major gift fundraising for Lerner College of Business & Economics including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift donors for the college. The emphasis of the position is on the solicitation of gifts of $50,000 or more from individuals. The Associate Director of Development reports to the Senior Director of Development and works closely with assigned College leadership, faculty, and staff.

Major Responsibilities:

• Manage a portfolio of 50 to 75 qualified major giving prospects qualified through capacity, inclination, and timing to make a significant gift of $50,000 or more.
• Successfully conduct all stages of the major gift process, which includes the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of identified prospects in the assigned College/unit or in support of University-identified priorities.
• Provide donors and prospects with an exceptional experience moving them to gift closure through thoughtful and meaningful communication and engagement.
• Follow execution of solicitation plans for all assigned prospects that identify key steps toward moving prospects to a successful solicitation within three years.
• Acquire knowledge of College and University programs and projects to develop and implement donor cultivation and solicitation strategies effectively and efficiently.
• Develop draft proposals and agreements for named initiatives and recognition opportunities for donors. Follow and execute stated processes and procedures.

College/Unit Partner:

• Serve as a DAR contact and support the assigned college/unit Dean, Department Chairs, faculty, and staff with the execution of fundraising strategies and donor engagement activities.
• Assist as needed with the coordination and scheduling of DAR and College/unit monthly fundraising meetings.
• Serve as a knowledgeable resource for gift officers who are working with prospects in assigned college/unit.
• Work collaboratively with development colleagues who manage College-based donors and prospects with philanthropic interests.
• Assist as needed in the coordination of stewardship reports and activities for prospects with appropriate members of the administration and faculty of the assigned College/unit.

Collegiality:

• Partner effectively with colleagues within DAR to foster a cross-functional team approach to achieve the goals of the assigned College/unit and the University overall.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree and minimum of four years of relevant experience (development, sales, customer relations, etc.), or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven ability to solicit and close philanthropic gifts on the six-figure level, or equivalent experience in a related field such as sales.
• Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to initiate, collaborate, implement, monitor, evaluate, and advance strategic plans that support the activities of the program and contribute to the overall goals and objectives of Advancement and the fundraising enterprise.
• Superior interpersonal skills.
• Ability to successfully interact and collaborate with varied constituencies in a professional manner, exhibiting excellent written and oral communication skills, team-building skills, and demonstrating tact, poise, and diplomacy while working with a wide variety of personalities.
• Ability and comfort in meeting and interacting with individuals of considerable social status and affluence.
• Ability to apply good judgment and proven responsible decision-making skills; tact and discretion are required to deal with highly confidential alumni, parent, student, family, donor, and prospect information.
• Must be a detail-oriented, self-starter with an ability to work independently and manage multiple projects and priorities to meet aggressive timelines and challenging deadlines.
• Working knowledge of electronic mail and calendars, the Windows environment, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and other software such as donor databases, etc.
• Understanding of regionally based philanthropy along with experience in a higher education or non-profit setting preferred; direct experience with fundraising, volunteer management, and knowledge of the University of Delaware is highly desired.
• Committed to fostering a positive workplace culture of belonging.
• Utilize considerable initiative, independence, originality, and responsibility for recommending and developing new methods, strategies, and techniques.
• Exercise autonomy in researching, evaluating, developing, and executing activities designed to engage and identify principal and major gifts.