Senior Director of Development for Strategic Initiatives

Overview

The Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives for Advancement (Development Officer SR) is a key leadership role that provides university-wide guidance and coordination of fundraising activities. The primary focus is on supporting strategic initiatives aligned with university and campaign priorities. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Corporate Relations and Foundations, this position plays a crucial role in building and maintaining strong institutional relationships with external stakeholders, including corporations, foundations, and individuals, to maximize philanthropic support for the university's priority initiatives and special projects. 

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning and Coordination:

• Develop and implement a strategic plan for fundraising activities aligned with university priorities.
• Coordinate and align fundraising efforts across various university departments, including collegiate development, central development, the Office of Research, and academic Deans.

Relationship Building:

• Establish and nurture strong relationships with a diverse range of external stakeholders, including corporations, foundations, and individual donors.
• Represent the university in a professional manner, promoting its mission and strategic initiatives to potential donors.

Proposal Development and Funding Requests:

• Work closely with collegiate development, central development, and other relevant departments to coordinate the preparation of proposals and funding requests for key university initiatives.
• Ensure alignment of proposals with campaign priorities and university goals.

Goal Setting and Achievement:

• Set and achieve personal contact, proposal submission, and closed-gift goals to contribute to overall fundraising success.
• Monitor and report progress regularly to the Associate Vice President.

Collaboration and Leadership:

• Collaborate with unit-based development staff, university leadership, and donors to build strong, collaborative relationships.
• Provide guidance, support, and strategic direction to enhance fundraising efforts within the central development team.

Qualifications

Minimal Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree plus five years of experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Ability to work collaboratively without taking direct credit for success.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship skills.
• Demonstrated experience in successful solicitation of corporate and foundation gifts.
• Excellent writing and communication skills including conflict resolution and collaborative project management.
• Understanding of broader institutional goals and objectives.
• Proven ability to develop long term relationships with donors including strong stewardship skills.
• A track record of collaboration and team-building.
• Willingness and ability to travel; evening and weekend work is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree plus five years direct fundraising experience with emphasis on program development and donor relationship management.
• Ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders (students, alumni, faculty, staff) from diverse backgrounds.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Able to take initiative
• Maintain confidentiality
• Assume stewardship
• Accountable
• Commitment to ethical behavior
• Honest and trustworthy
• Strong work ethic
• Commitment to the improvement of USU
• Inquisitive
• Detail oriented

Disclaimer

This position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the position

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

1.  Resume to be uploaded to the Candidate Profile

2.  Cover Letter to be typed/pasted into a text box at the end of the application

 

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits

ADA

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.  The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.