Director or Senior Director of Development

Overview

The Director/Senior Director of Development for the S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources (QCNR) 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 evaluating gift officer performance. The Dir./Sr. Director enhances the performance of other fundraisers by helping them develop fundraising competencies, providing feedback and perspective on their fundraising approach/methods and coaching them to realize their optimal performance.

 

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Collegiate Development, the Dir./Sr. Director of Development is the key liaison to the QCNR 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.  The Dir./Sr. Director of Development will need to have efficient time management capabilities which allows for the strategic prioritization of many different responsibilities.  This position requires extensive public contact with high-level alumni, donors and volunteers. Travel is required. 

 

This position will be hired at either the Director or Senior Director level based upon duties assigned and experience/education - 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.
• 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.
• Provide careful management of the Development Officer budget provided by the college ensuring fiscal responsibility and accurate reporting.
• 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.
• Communication with the Advancement marketing team as well as the QCNR team to ensure successful launch of projects, events, solicitations, etc. 
• In Collaboration with the Dean, maintain a high functioning Advancement Board, coordinate meetings, assign duties, develop relationships, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Position will be hired as either Director or Senior Director:
  • For Director (Development Officer III):
    • Bachelor’s degree plus three years of experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
  • For Senior Director (Development Officer, Senior):
    • Bachelor’s degree plus five years of experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• 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.
  • 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 th