Executive Director of Development - College of Humanities & Sciences

Welcome to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) a world unlike any other. We combine learning research creativity service and discovery with a commitment to inclusive excellence. Ranked by U.S. News as one of the 30 most innovative public universities in the country VCU is a premier urban public research university home to multiple nationally ranked programs. Here your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers a generous leave package career paths for advancement competitive pay and mission-driven work. We advance a conscientious drive to support a climate where excellence and success for all people are valued and differences are celebrated. Together we can be unstoppable.

The mission of VCUs Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) is to maximize philanthropic support by engaging stakeholders with our institution working in partnership with all VCU schools programs and campuses as one development and alumni relations community and implementing the best practices and efficient strategies to achieve a comprehensive development program.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Development for Colleges Schools and Units the Executive Director will serve as the lead development officer and a strategic fundraising thought partner for the College of Humanities & Sciences.. The Executive Director works directly with the dean Senior Associate Vice President for Colleges Schools and Units and Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) colleagues across the division to achieve Virginia Commonwealth Universitys (VCU) fundraising goals by designing and measuring annual long-range fundraising plans tied to the strategic needs of the school. The successful candidate will have the demonstrated ability to plan execute secure and steward six- seven- and eight-figure gifts through individual effort by identifying qualifying and soliciting major/principal gift prospects. The Executive Director coaches and manages a team of fundraising professionals tasked with securing philanthropic support for the school.

As the Executive Director of Development for the College of Humanities & Sciences you will:

• Serve as an active philanthropic thought-partner and fundraising participant with the College of Humanities & Sciences dean;
• Develop and implement annual operating plans for the College of Humanities & Sciences coordinating with DARs alumni engagement leadership annual giving and strategic marketing and engagement teams to produce a comprehensive and integrated roadmap for each unit; design and measure annual and long-range fundraising plans tied to the strategic needs of each school;
• Manage (identify engage cultivate solicit steward) a portfolio of approximately 60-100 top individual and corporate prospects with focus on those with a giving capacity of $500000 or greater; engage in additional high-level prospect discovery work to build donor pipeline;
• Supervise coach motivate and evaluate fundraising and development staff assigned to units to support their individual success and goal achievement;
• Maximize dean and academic leadership participation in fundraising and engagement efforts through strategic planning and good time management;
• In partnership with the dean academic leaders and SAVP define and design each units philanthropic priorities; collaborate with the marketing team in producing campaign documents and cases for support;
• Integrate dean faculty students and alumni into development activities where most appropriate and effective;
• With the dean academic leaders SAVP and other DAR leadership and colleagues devise short and long-term donor-centric strategies and develop plans for advancing each prospects meaningful passions to the university;
• Collaborate and coordinate with other CSU operations as well as colleagues on central teams (including planned giving CFR principal gifts and university development) to develop donor-centric strategies to leverage and maximize giving and engagement; engage with colleagues for joint cultivation/solicitation/stewardship efforts when needed;
• Prepare briefing documents for deans as well as VCU and DAR leadership for functions in which they are in attendance;
• Ensure accurate documentation of all donor activity and major gift solicitation plans in the universitys prospect management system (RADAR);
• Coordinate with alumni relations and the strategic marketing and engagement team to ensure coordination of information to stakeholders and friends;
• Develop support and evaluate campaign volunteer opportunities; collaborate with central partners on recruitment and training of those volunteers;
• Audit internal operations in order to develop standardized procedures in keeping with university policies;
• Provide guidance and assist with stewardship events and correspondence in coordination Universitys Office of Donor Relations;
• Coordinate with central teams on the composing editing and publishing of fundraising reports;
• Manage time and activities to support annually-established metrics on prospect/donor engagement and fundraising efficacy.

As a team member you will:

• Demonstrate appreciation for the mission and aspirations of VCU;
• Display a strong commitment to organizational success and delivering on individual responsibilities as a university citizen;
• Demonstrate a commitment to the pursuit of excellence high achievement and ongoing professional development by proactively seeking opportunities to develop new capabilities skills and knowledge;
• Establish cultivate and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal partners;
• Demonstrate a commitment to the highest quality service to internal and external communities;
• Demonstrate an open-minded approach to understanding people from all backgrounds identities abilities perspectives and experiences;
• Ensure work is completed accurately and within deadline. Set high standards exhibit a positive attitude maintain strict confidentiality and show exemplary work ethic;
• Reflect DARs and VCUs core purpose and values.

Minimum hiring standards:

• Bachelors degree or equivalent experience
• Significant professional experience fundraising in an academic medical center or higher education (Research I) setting or similar complex environments
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect professionalism and civility with a population of faculty staff and students from various backgrounds and experiences or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU
• Demonstrated ability to plan execute secure and steward six- and seven-figure gifts through individual effort
• Sound judgment strong interpersonal skills and professional credibility required to develop relationships of trust and respect with a diverse range of constituents including donors and prospects health care providers research faculty senior administrators volunteers and stakeholders and development colleagues
• The ability to work independently meet deadlines and consistently achieve goals while also driving and supporting team success in a matrix environment
• Ability to coach and manage fundraising staff
• High level of initiative strong orientation to teamwork and the ability to work effectively in complex environments
• Attention to detail and the ability to use a database to maintain and review records and reports such as donor data prospect contacts solicitations and proposals
• Working knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving
• Ability to travel via car and/or an airplane (overnight and long-distance travel will be necessary)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Preferred hiring standards:

• Masters degree or work experience at a level that equates to an advanced degree
• Ten years or more of demonstrated success identifying qualifying and soliciting major gift prospects preferably in the context of higher education and/or health care and preferably working in conjunction with faculty partners.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated experience in major and planned giving concepts and strategies as well as significant experience in creating and implementing major gift plans (campaign experience strongly preferred)
• Strong management capabilities and a commitment to mentoring gift officers
• Deep appreciation for the mission and aspirations of VCU and a desire to play a meaningful role in the life of VCU and in the Richmond community
• Collaboration skills consistent with bringing out the best in a matrix team instilling pride in a team effort
  Personal commitment to the fundraising industry as evidenced through work ethic and aspiration to best practices

A resume and cover letter are required for consideration. Preference will be given to candidates internal to VCU and those who apply by July 24th.

Izzy Kane

Required Experience:

Director