Associate Director, Leadership Giving - Northwestern University/Kellogg

Job Summary:
Reporting to the Director, Annual Giving, the Associate Director, Leadership Giving, at the Kellogg School of Management understands the principles of fundraising including: cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of high-level donors who desire a variety of engagement opportunities. This position will focus on Kellogg Leadership Circle level ($2,500 - $100,000/recent alumni level of $1000) annual fund prospects through one-on-one solicitation visits; and the execution of discovery visits for major gift qualification. This position is based in Chicago but requires frequent travel.

Specific Responsibilities:
Plan and implement strategies for a coordinated program of fundraising activities for Kellogg Annual Fund leadership gift prospects. Identify, cultivate and solicit prospective donors who have the capacity to make financial commitments of $2,500 to $100,000 or more. Manage a portfolio of approximately 75 prospects.

Qualify new prospects. Determine creative cultivation and solicitation strategies. Arrange for prospects to meet with appropriate University staff and faculty. Plan and execute cultivation events in conjunction with event planning staff. Maintain strong communication links with various University colleagues to ensure a coordinated approach to prospects and donors. Assist in preparation and management of expenses. Monitor expenditures to ensure compliance with University policy and provide timely reporting.

Draft compelling letters and proposals. Provide contact reports. Deliver timely and effective follow-up to prospects and donors. Work collaboratively with colleagues to maintain a strong stewardship strategy for a portfolio of donors. Assist with events and attend evening and weekend functions as necessary. Plan and execute a target total of 125+ visits per year and a commensurate number of annual fund solicitations. Seek opportunities for professional development that will enhance job performance. Perform other duties as assigned.

• Personally solicit annual gifts of $1,000 to $100,000 and above
• Identify and research prospects for solicitation, managing a pool of leadership giving prospects for the undergraduate schools/units.
• Personally solicit 100 leadership annual gifts from identified prospects at $2,500 or more.
• Work with staff in other areas of the office of Alumni Relations and Development, particularly major gifts, schools/units, reunions, and planned gifts, to coordinate contact with and solicitation of prospects.
• Maintain working knowledge of the major areas of annual support, including campaign priorities, scholarships, thought leadership, student life, and global innovation.
• Provide necessary documentation and follow-up to donors, internal contacts and file.
• Provide analytical and strategic planning support related to leadership giving to major gift officers and school officers as needed
• Provide strategic guidance for cultivation events hosted by volunteers.
• Identify regional and on-campus synergies to leverage in donor cultivation; establish relationships with campus partners as needed
• Manage the discovery process for the region and other areas as needed
• Conduct discovery visits to qualify 50 prospects/year, including assessing capacity and
• inclination to give, documenting interactions and follow-up plans appropriately.
• Participate as a member of the regional front-line fundraising team, collaborating with colleagues in across Kellogg School of Management and Northwestern University Office of Alumni Relations &Development.
• Staff Kellogg Leadership Circle alumni volunteers which will include high-level volunteer, including board members and major donors in specific regions and/or classes as needed
• Works with co-chairs to establish committee goals and activities;
• Works with members to recruit and build committee participation or volunteer solicitation;
• Determines strategies and amounts for peer-to-peer ask, coordinating with other officers;
• Coaches’ volunteers and assist with their solicitations and follow-up as needed;
• Plan and lead meetings as well as sub-committee meetings as needed;
• Organizes and staffs strategic cultivation events hosted by volunteers;
• Identifies on-campus synergies to leverage in donor cultivation; establish relationships with campus partners as needed.
• Additional projects as assigned or required.
• Travel will be required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in business, accounting, marketing or equivalent or 2 years’ equivalent experience in development function; or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired;
• 4 years’ development, marketing, sales or the equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A baccalaureate degree
• At least 5 years' experience in fund-raising, preferably in an educational setting; at least two years should include significant personal solicitation and/or volunteer management activities.
• Excellent communications skills coupled with strong writing and presentation skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills are required, both written and oral, as well as a high level of sophistication and maturity in social and professional setting;
• Strong organizational and creative skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a team environment;
• Discretion and an ability to interact with high-level donors and the ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality;
• Computer skills, familiarity/comfort working in a Windows software environment; familiarity with fundraising/relational databases is a plus.
• Availability for evening and weekend events is required.

About the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University
The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University is a premier institution for management education. Founded in 1908 and based just outside of Chicago, Kellogg is home to a renowned, research-based faculty and the best and brightest MBA students from around the world.

Global business education is different today because of the teamwork and collaboration models that Kellogg pioneered 40 years ago. And, in the 21st century, Kellogg is truly a different voice in management education: We believe business can be bravely led, passionately collaborative and world changing.

At Kellogg, we are educating, equipping and inspiring leaders to excel in today’s complex Collaboration Economy. As a global community, Kellogg welcomes and embraces diverse perspectives that together enrich learning. Our vibrance can be seen throughout our dynamic community.