Senior Director of Development
Bowling Green State University
Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Job Type: Full-Time
Division: V P University Advancement
Opening Date: 12/19/2024
Location: Main Campus (BG), OH
Job Number: BGSU00655
Department: V P University Advancement
Closing: Continuous
Summary
Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Development, the Senior Director of Development will advance the mission of Bowling Green State University, secure private philanthropic major gifts aligned with the University’s priorities and strategic plan, lead fundraising strategy for assigned college, unit, and/or special initiatives, and manage one or more development officers.
This position requires a significant work establishing and sustaining relationships with major donors, alumni, and friends who make philanthropic commitments that support Bowling Green State University. The Senior Director will lead and execute strategies to cultivate and solicit major gifts ($25K+ minimum, with focus on gifts of $100K+) to support approved fundraising priorities.
Within the centralized advancement structure at BGSU, the Senior Director will provide strategic leadership for multiple campus partners, supervise one or more development officers, and may oversee special fundraising initiatives, as identified by University Advancement or University leadership. The position will be responsible for leading the successful achievement of personal and team fundraising metrics as well as play a key role in meeting division-wide goals, which are established annually and based on the donor pipeline, pipeline capacity, and fundraising priorities.
Essential Functions
Perform full range of fundraising activities.
- Actively manage and engage a portfolio of major gift prospects that emphasizes prospect capacities and solicitations at the $100,000+ level. Advance relationships with prospective donors through the appropriate stages of donor moves management.
- Work with University Advancement and campus leadership to establish annual fundraising priorities as well as personal, unit, and team quantitative and qualitative goals.
- After establishing quantitative goals with the guidance of the AVP Development, personally secure gifts of cash, pledges, or blended commitments of outright and planned gifts, annually. Develop work plan and strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of portfolio prospects to generate and sustain gifts that move BGSU forward. Develop overarching strategies for growth and elevation of philanthropic success in assigned colleges and units, working closely with any additional fundraisers assigned to those areas as well as respective leaders.
- Serve as senior fundraising liaison for multiple colleges and/or units. Provide counsel and professional expertise to respective deans, program directors, and other campus leaders regarding all aspects of philanthropic fundraising and engagement for their units. Set short- and long-term fundraising priorities and liaise with Annual Giving to plan annual solicitations and liaise with Alumni Engagement on alumni/donor engagement opportunities. Work on and lead complex gift scenarios, engaging campus partners to help present and secure major and occasional principal gifts.
- Work with AVP Development and colleagues in Annual Giving, Alumni Engagement, Gift Planning, Prospect Management and Research, Donor Relations and Stewardship, and Advancement Services to achieve goals and objectives and facilitate positive outcomes for donors, as needed.
- In a timely fashion, coordinate prospect strategies, note activity, track proposal status, and communicate and record information about prospects in the donor database.
- Actively participate in University Advancement’s activities including, but not limited to, strategic planning sessions, prospect management meetings, campaign planning, team collaboration, and division meetings.
- Travel to cultivate and solicit prospective donors and attend events, mostly in the state of Ohio and sometimes out of state, with occasional overnight travel.
Supervision and initiative leadership.
- Supervision: The Senior Director of Development also serves as a leader, supervisor, and manager to one or more development officers. The college or unit liaison assignments, priority fundraising initiatives, and/or number of highly qualified potential donors will inform the number of direct reports. For each direct report, the Senior Director is responsible for monitoring and regularly discussing clear expectations, goals, and metrics; providing feedback and regular communication; ensuring timely entry of pertinent data; and offering guidance on donor strategies and moves management.
- A Senior Director of Development may be asked to lead strategic fundraising initiatives on behalf of University Advancement or campus leadership.
Engage board members, volunteers, and other key constituent groups.
- Support alumni and donor engagement by identifying and introducing donors to various board and leadership councils across campus. Work closely with unit leadership to understand gaps and service opportunities for unit advisory and leadership councils, the Alumni Board, and Foundation Board. Engage board members, volunteers, alumni, and friends of the University with fundraising opportunities aligned with the University’s priorities.
- Develop and maintain a strong working knowledge of the University, its programs, and strategic priorities. Actively participate in campus life, such as participating in key events and hosting donors and prospects at marquee campus events to advance stewardship and cultivate future philanthropic support.
Maintain accurate records and perform other duties as assigned.
- Record pertinent contacts (visits, emails, phone calls) with prospects and donors in University Advancement’s database, timely and in accordance with divisional policies and procedures.
- Record and maintain accurate open proposals in University Advancement’s database, timely and in accordance with divisional policies and procedures.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the AVP for Development and the Vice President for University Advancement.
Minimum Qualifications
The following Degree is required:
- Bachelor’s degree required. Degree must be conferred at the time of application.
The following Experience is required:
- 5 years of professional philanthropic fundraising experience or a 5-year combination of sales and philanthropic fundraising experience is required, including successfully closing gifts or contracts of $100,000 or more.
- 1 year of staff supervision or project management experience required.
The following Licensure, Certifications, or Registration is required:
- Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and comply with the University’s vehicle use policy.
Additional Information
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
Technological Skills
- Ability to use basic professional software – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.
- Ability to work with data sets or within a database
- Ability to enter timely and relevant contact notes in CRM
- Ability to enter and maintain proposals, planned contacts, and other relevant work plans in CRM
- Ability to assist and train others in the use of available technological tools as needed
Results-Orientated Mindset
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Ability to set work plans and accomplish goals
- Demonstrate self-motivation
- Ability to develop strategies along with campus colleagues and in line with university priorities
- Shows persistence, pace, planning in achievement of annual goals
- Able to assist on projects that are not within one’s primary area of responsibility without losing sight of established goals
Reliability
- Consistently present
- On time for scheduled work times, events, meetings, etc.
Collaboration
- Ability to work in team environments
- Ability to adapt to change
- Ability to engage with Deans, Unit leaders, faculty and others to match donor intent to university priorities
- Ability to work with other campus units to develop priorities and strategies which are approved by division and university leadership
- Exhibit ability to develop strong professional relationship with Deans and other unit leaders to identify, set, and execute on philanthropic priorities and opportunities
- Ability to set philanthropic project strategy and see project through to completion
Communication
- Exhibit strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to engage in persuasive conversations with constituents of varying ages, career levels, etc.
- Demonstrates skill in drafting correspondence, proposals and other materials needed to cultivate and solicit donors
- Ability to understand and articulate unit and university priorities and goals
- Consistent communication regarding strategies with appropriate colleagues, campus partners, and division/university leadership
- Draft error-free gift agreements that are in line with current university policies and applicable state/federal law
- Aptitude to make clear and compelling presentations to internal and external stakeholders
Curiosity
- Willingness to ask questions and accept constructive feedback
- Self-directed to learn about campus programs, etc.
- Continued growth and learning regarding gift tools and vehicles, IRS regulations for charitable giving, etc.
- Presents solutions and participates in the creation of practices which help to move the organization forward
- Learns and develops leadership skills and finds ways to help other colleagues be successful
Constituent Focus
- Understanding of appropriate stewardship practices
- Attention to detail
- Proactive trouble-shooting/problem solving
- Timeliness in responses and follow-up
- Able to easily identify and match donor interests and assets to organizational/campus priorities and opportunities
- Able to work donors through concerns without overpromising on behalf of the university
Global Perspective
- Cognizant of and sensitive to cultural differences
- Understanding of organizational commitment to diversity and belonging
- Able to recognize and understand how individual efforts fit into organizational goals
- Able to recognize opportunities in areas other than that of primary focus
- Able to recognize opportunities for blended gifts
Technical Fundraising Skills
- Shows understanding of the various gift vehicles accepted by the university
- Follows established policy and practice in the negotiation and acceptance of gifts
- Creates and presents complex gift scenarios and strategies
- Recognizes opportunities for transformational and/or principal gifts and include appropriate leadership and staff in development of such proposals
- Knowledge and practical use of best practices for the university and in the field
- Ability to train and on-board new staff
Leadership
- Develops managerial and leadership skills through training and hands-on experience
- Plans, implements, and maintains strategic course
- Coaches and mentors others
- Serves as a catalyst for increased productivity
- Influences a positive culture
- Takes initiative to manage multiple and sometimes competing projects and priorities
- Shows strong visionary skills in relation to donor strategy development and implementation
Required Documents to Upload to Application: Cover Letter and Resume
Deadline to apply: The search committee will review applications until the position is filled; however, for best consideration, applications should be provided by January 13, 2025.
BGSU does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term.
Bowling Green State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer . We are committed to a multicultural environment and strongly encourage applications from women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Bowling Green State University, please call 419-372-8421 or email ohr@bgsu.edu.
To apply, please visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/bgsu/jobs/4768295/senior-director-of-development
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