Development Director for Talbot Embedded

Development Director for Talbot Embedded

Position Description
The Development Director proactively identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards major gifts of $25,000+ for Talbot School of Theology, specifically for the Talbot Embedded programs. Talbot has been awarded a $10 million grant to help fund new regional sites and new partnerships with networks and denominations throughout the United States. This position will work to advance this work and secure donor-funded scholarships to support these endeavors. The Development Director will seek to build long-term relationships with donors and prospects that believe in Talbot’s mission, vision, and values, and who desires to resource this mission and vision. This position requires frequent travel.

Alignment with Theological Positions
The person who fills this position must be someone who personally agrees with Biola’s Articles of Faith and Statement of Biblical Principles and who is supportive of the positions taken by Biola as contained in its Eschatology Teaching Position. As such, this person may not speak against or act in a manner inconsistent with these positions during the course of their employment at Biola.

Department
Talbot

Supervisor
Dean of Talbot, with a strong dotted-line relationship with University Advancement.

Educational Requirements
Bachelors degree required.
Training or degrees in theology or a related discipline a plus.

Work Requirements
Exempt (01), full-time – 40 hours per week, 12 months per year
This position requires personal attendance at Biola’s campus in La Mirada, CA.

Essential Duties
The Development Director is responsible to build and manage a portfolio of approximately 100+ qualified donors and prospects and actively cultivate and solicit gifts. They will focus their attention on building a robust network of donors through individuals in California and selected regions throughout the U.S., with a particular focus on the Talbot Embedded regions (including but not limited to Pacific Northwest, Nevada, Hawaii, Chicago, Texas). Accordingly, this position requires frequent travel in the field with donors regionally and throughout the U.S. 

General Duties

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100+ qualified donor households and prospects, actively cultivating and soliciting gifts by building a robust network of donors capable of giving $25,000 or more.
• Meet or exceed annual solicitation goals (submitted and realized) for various Talbot-giving priorities, while maintaining a strong emphasis on the number of meetings and donor cultivation required to drive results.
• Move donors through the major giving process (moves management) year-over-year by developing and maintaining key relationships with assigned constituents.
• Establish an intentional treatment stream/strategy for each constituent that aligns with the Philosophy of Stewardship & Resource Development at Biola University.
• Accurately and regularly record all actions and key information in the university’s fundraising CRM (Raiser’s Edge/NXT).
• Regularly attend various Biola University and University Advancement events (e.g. Convocation, Christmas Tree Lighting, President’s Circle events, etc.) with an emphasis on strategically inviting and cultivating the relationship with assigned constituents.
• Utilize Department resources for the cultivation and solicitation of gifts. These include:
  • Events
  • Print, Electronic, and Media Promotion
  • Research, Queries, and Reports (from Raiser’s Edge)
  • Networking and “Third Party” participation
• Be a cooperative and contributing member of the team within Talbot and Biola’s Advancement Division.  
• Be in agreement with Biola’s Philosophy of Stewardship.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Understanding of and commitment to the mission of Talbot School of Theology.
• Seasoned major gift officer with 5+ years of direct major gift solicitation experience, preferably in higher education, or similar sales experience in another field.
• Demonstrated ability to understand the needs and interests of donors in order to develop and strengthen relationships within the University.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, grammar and spelling skills, and telephone manners.
• Warm, interpersonal skills, personable, cordial, professional demeanor, and works well with a team.
• Highly relational and have ability to interact with donors and prospects of all ages.
• Good organizational and time management skill