Director, Advancement

Director of Advancement develops, implements and manages a strategic fundraising plan for assigned college or unit. This position serves as a vital liaison between the college and the business community, foundations, and alumni, fostering robust partnerships and securing essential funding. Through these efforts, the Director of Advancement ensures alignment with the college's mission and enhances its reputation and impact.

• Directs development activities by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects to support the college's strategic priorities and fundraising goals
• Collaborates with University Advancement central office to ensure coordinated efforts and maximize fundraising success.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with alumni, donors, business leaders, and foundation representatives to foster ongoing support and engagement.
• Serves as liaison to external community and is the primary point of contact between the College and the local, regional, and national business communities.
• Identifies and pursues funding opportunities from foundations, preparing grant proposals and managing relationships with foundation representatives.
• Collaborates with college leadership to develop and implement fundraising strategies that align with the college's mission and goals.
• Administers other advancement activities, such as alumni relations, communications, special events, etc. for assigned college or unit.

• Participates in University-wide development activities as needed
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Direct Reports:

• Part-time employees

Delegation of Work:

• Regularly assigns work to subordinate(s)

Supervision Given:

• Has primary responsibility for conducting performance evaluations and making recommendations for hiring and dismissing employees.

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree

Required Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of related job experience
• Demonstrated track record of closing major gifts ranging from $50,000 to $1M+ in a high-volume fundraising environment and experience in strategically managing a portfolio of donors using efficient moves management techniques

License/Certification:

• None required

• Experience working in a University setting or similarly complex non-profit environment
• Experience working with a Dean of an academic unit on philanthropic endeavors
• Management of philanthropic volunteers, including volunteer boards/committees

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the trends, issues, and practices related to fundraising and advancement.

Skills:

• Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills are essential

Abilities:

• Ability to represent the university in various capacities, including its major initiatives and units.
• Ability to work independently, maintain confidentiality, prioritize assignments, and manage time effectively while fostering relationships with colleagues, donors, volunteers, and university officials

Primary Work Location:

• Works in an office environment.

Physical Demands:

• Work is performed in a typical, comfortable interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements;
• Individual has discretion in relation to walking, standing etc., and has minimal exposure to physical risks

Commitment to Excellence - UHD

• Demonstrates a commitment to competently perform his/her job duties and responsibilities within established time frames.
• Continuously strives to improve work performance.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her commitments to the university.
• Contributes to the success of the university by consistently providing quality results in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.

Integrity

• Demonstrates high ethical standards of conduct in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her actions.
• Respects and complies with department and university policies, procedures, and work rules.

Respect and Cooperation

• Treats others with courtesy, respect, and dignity in the workplace.
• Promotes cooperation through open and honest communications and consideration of others ideas, thoughts, and opinions.

Proficiency

• Possesses required job skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to competently perform his/her job duties and assignments.

Dependability

• Takes responsibility to accomplish job assignments within reasonable deadlines.
• Willing to accept new projects and/or commitments.
• Does due diligence to complete projects within specified timeframes and/or fulfill commitments.
• Arrives to work on time prepared and ready to contribute.

Flexibility

• Willingly adjusts to changing work assignments or conditions.
• Open to changes in operational procedures, technology, and/or organizational structure.
• Views changes as opportunities for learning and professional development.
• Displays a positive attitude to encourage others.
• Promptly responds to changes in work priorities and/or unexpected circumstances or situations.

Customer Relations Management

• Ensures customer's needs and expectations are addressed within his/her department or section. (Customers can be students, external constituents, employees, or university guests.)
• Mentors and guides department/section staff by sharing knowledge and best practices to appropriately respond to customer's requests.
• Monitors staff interactions with customers for professional conduct, consistent application of university policies and procedures, and follow up of outstanding requests.
• Assumes responsibility for addressing complex or unusual requests.

Organizational Management

• Manages department or section planning and assessment consistent with the university's goals and objectives and executive management's directives.
• Develops and oversees administration of the department/section budget to ensure effective utilization of financial resources and appropriate disbursement of funds.
• Fosters a cooperative and productive work environment that advances department/section operations and initiatives through motivation, encouragement, and professional development of staff.
• Develops department/section procedures and work rules for compliance with government regulations and university policies; participates in the development and revision of applicable university policies.
• Competently represents the department/section through interactions with the university community and/or external constituents.

Research and Analysis

• Applies knowledge and skills to collect and analyze relevant data and information.
• Assesses benefits and risks, and prepares comprehensive reports of findings.
• Submits recommendations for management's review and evaluation.

Building External Relationships

• Demonstrates the ability to build rapport and develop relationships with external constituents.
• Displays a genuine interest in constituents' ideas and concerns, and pursues mutual interests and aspirations between the university and external constituents.
• Builds trust and forms alliances through shared respect and cooperation.

Work Leadership

• Leads the work of assigned staff.
• Assigns projects and tasks with clear instructions and understanding of work to be performed.
• Mentors and guides by sharing expertise, knowledge of work rules and procedures, and best practices.
• Follows up to ensure tasks and projects are completed within reasonable timeframes.