Senior Director of Advancement

Description

This is a new position on the College Advancement Team at Simpson. This high-level professional is responsible for overseeing and executing comprehensive fundraising strategies to secure significant donations from top donors, including major gifts to capital projects, establishing endowment funds, securing estate gifts, as well as support of The Simpson Fund. This position will be a key member of the College Advancement Team, reporting to the Vice President for College Advancement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Donor Identification and Cultivation: Actively identify, research, and cultivate relationships with 100 – 200 high-potential donors. This will require travel throughout Iowa and across the country to provide thorough outreach, productive meetings, and personalized communication to build trust and understanding of the college's needs.
• Solicitation and Closing Gifts: Lead the solicitation process for major gifts, including crafting compelling proposals, presenting fundraising case statements, and negotiating donation amounts with prospective donors.
• Donor Stewardship: Manage long-term relationships with existing donors through regular communication, personalized updates on the impact of their gifts, and cultivation of future giving opportunities.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Track fundraising progress against established goals, analyze donor data to identify trends and opportunities, and present comprehensive reports to senior leadership.
• Donor Events and Engagement: Help with the organization and management of donor events, cultivation activities, and donor recognition programs to foster a strong connection between the college and its supporters.

#HEJ

Qualifications

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Proven track record of success in traveling within the state and across the country to secure significant major gifts within a complex fundraising environment.
• Deep understanding of fundraising principles, donor motivations, and cultivation strategies.
• Outstanding knowledge of estate planning tools and a proven record of working with prospective donors to include the college in their estate plans.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills to build meaningful relationships with donors.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret data and make informed fundraising decisions.
• Knowledge of Simpson College, the higher education landscape, and the unique challenges as well as opportunities within the fundraising sector.
• Bachelor's degree required.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit the following materials:

 

• Cover letter specifying and outlining how your experience matches our required skills and qualifications.
• Current resume
• Contact information for three professional references.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION: Applicants for admission and employment, students, parents of students, employees, sources of referral for admission and employment, and all unions or professional organizations holding collective bargaining or professional agreements with Simpson College are hereby notified that this institution does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, veteran or veteran disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected characteristic in admission, access to, treatment or employment in, its programs and activities. Any persons having inquiries concerning Simpson College’s compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title VII, Title IX – Section 504, or Americans with Disabilities Act are directed to contact Director of Human Resources, Simpson College, 701 North C Street, Indianola, Iowa 50125-1299, (515) 961-1511. Persons may also contact the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, regarding the institution’s compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title VII, Title IX – Section 504, or Americans with Disabilities Act. 

TITLE IX: Simpson College does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex/gender. Simpson College also prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating i