Dir./Sr. Director of Development

Overview

The Dir./Sr. Director of Development for the College of Veterinary Medicine provides overall guidance and management of the college/unit major gifts program. The position is responsible for the college/unit overall acquisition of philanthropic gifts and coordination on behalf of the college across the Office of Advancement.

 

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Collegiate Development, the Dir./Sr. Director of Development is the key liaison to the college/unit dean. As a development leader on the USU development team, the Dir./Sr. Director of Development is highly collaborative, committed to a culture of excellence, demonstrates advanced fundraising competencies and helps sustain USU’s fundraising success and growth through their leadership.

This position requires extensive public contact with high-level alumni, donors and volunteers. Travel is required.

This position will be hired as either a Director of Development or Senior Director of Development based upon qualifications and duties assigned. Please see Qualifications section. 

Responsibilities

Core responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the day-to-day planning and oversight of the college/unit development strategy and drive fundraising activity related to major gift proposals.
• Develop and implement both annual and long-range goals, objectives and strategies to maximize private support through various sources (individuals, corporations, foundations and planned giving vehicles) for individual colleges/units.
• Create and maintain specialized fundraising initiatives including but not limited to annual reunion campaigns, grateful patient program, and pet tribute programs.
• Guide efforts with the College of Veterinary Medicine Advancement Board and other volunteer boards in the college.
• Collaborate with USU leaders and development peers to link donors’ passions with USU priorities and ensure a gratifying gift and/or engagement experience.  
• Qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gift prospects for both the college and the university, emphasizing collaboration and high-level major gifts
• Create and maintain an effective rapport with the dean and other college leaders. Coordinate with the dean to guide strategic development activities and consult with stakeholders to ensure college/unit goals are attained.
• Utilize the suite of advancement resources to provide regular individual and team progress reports on gift officer and unit performance.
• Partner with prospect analytics and research, the principal gift workgroup and campaign operations to identify new donor opportunities, analyze team performance, implement effective practices and coordinate donor/campaign engagement for college/unit prospects.
• Travel to key markets and regions to engage alumni, submit proposals, and steward donors.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

This position will be hired at either the Director (Development Officer III) or Senior Director (Development Officer Senior) based upon the following qualifications and duties assigned:

 For Director:

• Bachelor’s degree plus three years of experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

For Senior Director:

• Bachelor’s degree plus five years of experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

For both levels:

• Ability to have complex gift conversations and a track record of closing gifts or negotiating contracts.
• Demonstrated experience building successful, productive and collaborative relationships with top university administrators, deans and board members.
• Demonstrated experience staffing dean’s councils, advisory boards and committees.
• Supervisory and coaching experience of professional staff.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, as well as analytical, research and management skills.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the use of information technology to support advancement programs.
• Strong interpersonal skills, particularly with donors, volunteers, and staff members from diverse backgrounds.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Ability to position the Dean to maximize her/his potential as a fundraiser for the College of Veterinary Medicine.
• Willingness and ability to travel; evening and weekend work is required.
• Ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders (students, alumni, faculty, staff) from diverse backgrounds. 

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• An advanced academic degree.
• Experience with capital campaign