Executive Director of Development

Job Description

The Executive Director of Development reports to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and maintains a strong working relationship with prospect management and fundraising activities. The Executive Director of Development is an active member of the Institutional Advancement team who works collaboratively and strategically with the college president, other fundraising professionals, faculty, deans, staff, campus leaders, and external constituents. This position will also serve as the managing director for a comprehensive campaign.

Essential Duties Summary

• The Executive Director for Development position is full-time equivalent with evening and weekend requirements. The EDD is evaluated based on criteria including quantity and quality of contacts and the resulting funds raised.
• Manages a portfolio of major / planned gift donors / prospects ($25K - $500,000+) that includes alumni, parents, friends, and key stakeholders of the College.
• Will assist with the direction of the comprehensive campaign along with the campaign consultant and vice-president.
• Will set the example for Development Staff for expected number of visits, proposals, and closes.
• Leads authentically and passionately the Development Office and staff which includes major gifts, planned gifts, annual giving, and corporate and foundation relations.
• Leads all aspects of the Moves Management process in conjunction with the DAS.
• Initiates contacts with potential major and planned gift donors.
• Develops authentic relationships.
• Develops appropriate cultivation and solicitation strategies, including volunteers as needed.
• Moves prospects in a timely fashion to solicitation and closure.
• Maintains direct stewardship contact; monitors other contacts to ensure positive and purposeful donor relations.
• Effectively manages the Development staff to ensure timely submission of contact and expense reports and utilization of the technical tools of fundraising.
• Develops processes and procedures to ensure that all efforts help meet Advancement Division goals.
• Helps to integrate Development efforts with the Alumni Office as well as the Advancement Services Office.
• Focuses on securing gifts for campus-wide priorities that include, but may not be limited to general endowment, academic programs, endowed chairs, scholarships, unrestricted support, facility renovations, new facilities, and campus improvements.
• Offers strategy counsel to the president, vice president, and Advancement staff. Participates in key on-campus and off-campus events for the purposes of donor cultivation, enhancing familiarity with the ATU experience, and working collaboratively with Advancement staff.
• Other duties as assigned by the Vice President for Advancement.
• Knowledge of best practices in Development.
• Knowledge of integrating Development Office into the Advancement Division.
• Ability to create a framework for comprehensive solicitations.
• Ability to motivate and lead Development Office.
• Ability to travel extensively.
• Understanding of working with academic units.
• Can effectively communicate the institutional message with internal and external constituents.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• Minimum of five years of progressive experience in Major Gifts, Planned Giving, and Annual Giving or related field
• Experience writing, making presentations, and communicating with all levels of an institution
• Experience initiating contacts, developing cultivation and solicitation strategies, and managing a major gifts portfolio
• Experience leading and inspiring staff
• Experience organizing, managing projects and multi-functional areas with a demonstrated record of completing assignments

Minimum Required Education: Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree
• Minimum of five years of progressive experience in Major Gifts, Planned Giving, and Annual Giving preferably in higher education
• Experience promoting strategic fundraising priorities
• Experience working in state assisted institutions
• Experience leading Moves Management process
• Self-motivated with a strong work ethic and a positive attitude
• Experience making complex decisions
• Experience working with tact and discretion concerning confidential information
• Ability to travel extensively

EEO StatementMcMurry University is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the university community and prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, disability or veteran status, in employment or the provision of services, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is also prohibited pursuant to University policy.