Director of Development

Director Of DevelopmentLocated in Morrow, Georgia, Clayton State University is roughly 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta. The university offers employees an adaptable, collaborative environment that fosters professional and personal development. The university is committed to having a positive impact on the State of Georgia and beyond by serving students and the community through broadening access to high-quality education and advancing workforce development. Clayton State offers multiple certificates, Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's Degree programs, which currently enroll over 5,500 students in challenging campus and online courses. Clayton State's main campus is situated on 214 beautiful acres in a lakeside setting just minutes from downtown Atlanta, making access to the vibrant metropolitan area swift. The Atlanta-Journal Constitution has named the university a Top Workplace in Atlanta for six consecutive years. The Chronicle of Higher Education also named Clayton State one of 79 higher education institutions across the nation in its list of 2017 Great Colleges to Work For.The Director of Development is a frontline fundraising professional responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding major gift prospects and corporate and foundation partners in support of Clayton State University. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Development & External Affairs, the Director will manage a portfolio of approximately 100-125 prospects and donors, with a primary focus on securing gifts of $25,000 or more. The Director will be responsible for building a strong major gift pipeline, advancing prospects through the fundraising cycle, and meeting established annual fundraising, solicitation, and activity goals. The Director will work closely with university leadership, academic and administrative leaders, volunteers, and University Advancement colleagues to develop philanthropic opportunities and build meaningful, long-term relationships with donors and partners.Fundraising Manage a portfolio of approximately 100-125 major gift prospects and donors, with responsibility for the full fundraising cycle, from identification and qualification through solicitation, closing, and stewardship. Identify, research, and qualify new major gift prospects to continually build and strengthen the University's fundraising pipeline. Develop and execute individualized moves management strategies to consistently advance prospects from qualification through cultivation, solicitation, gift closure, and stewardship. Develop individualized strategies to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects capable of making gifts of $25,000 or more. Personally solicit and close major gifts of $25,000 or more, and coordinate solicitations involving the President, senior university leaders, Foundation Board members, volunteers, and other University representatives. Identify and cultivate corporate and foundation prospects whose interests align with University priorities. Conduct regular prospect and donor visits and maintain consistent personal engagement with assigned prospects. Develop compelling proposals, solicitation strategies, and other materials to secure philanthropic support. Build and maintain relationships with alumni, friends, corporations, foundations, community leaders, and other external constituents. Steward donors and partners to encourage continued engagement and philanthropic support. Meet established annual fundraising, solicitation, prospect contact, and other activity goals. Collaboration and Strategy Work with University leaders, faculty, and staff to identify and develop compelling funding opportunities. Collaborate with advancement colleagues in prospect research, advancement services, alumni engagement, stewardship, and communications to maximize fundraising opportunities. Participate in University and community events as a representative and ambassador of Clayton State University. Provide guidance to University leaders and volunteers regarding donor strategy, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Contribute to annual fundraising plans and initiatives established by University Advancement leadership. Prospect Management and Administration Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive records of prospect and donor activity in the University's advancement database/Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. Document donor contacts, meetings, cultivation strategies, solicitations, asks, outcomes, next steps, and stewardship activities in the CRM in a timely manner. Develop and maintain strategies and moves management plans for significant prospects and solicitations. Monitor portfolio activity, prospect movement, proposals, solicitations, and projected revenue to ensure consistent pipeline development and progress toward fundraising goals. Provide regular updates and reports regarding fundraising activity, pipeline development, solicitations, and results. Ensure appropriate coordination with advancement services on gift documentation, reporting, and stewardship. Adhere to University policies, gift acceptance procedures, and professional standards of ethical fundraising.Bachelor¿s degree from an accredited institution, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, development, relationship management, sales, or a closely related field. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with individuals and organizations. Demonstrated ability to personally solicit and close major gifts of $25,000 or more. Demonstrated ability to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective donors. Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. Ability and willingness to travel locally and regionally and work occasional evenings and weekends as required.Five or more years of professional fundraising experience, preferably in higher education or nonprofit organizations. Demonstrated success securing major gifts, corporate support, foundation funding, or other significant philanthropic commitments. Experience managing a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors using moves management strategies. Experience working with senior executives, university leaders, volunteers, corporate leaders, and foundation representatives. Experience developing and submitting corporate or foundation proposals. Experience with comprehensive or capital campaigns. Experience using an advancement database or CRM system.Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills. Strong strategic thinking, judgment, and problem-solving skills. Ability to build authentic, long-term relationships with donors and external partners. Ability to translate University priorities into compelling opportunities for philanthropic investment. Ability to identify and qualify new prospects and build a sustainable major gift pipeline. Ability to effectively manage a prospect portfolio and consistently advance relationships toward solicitation and closure. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment. Professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail. Commitment to the mission and values of Clayton State University and its role in promoting social mobility.