Associate Director for Development and Stakeholder Engagement

Closing Date:

Professional Staff - Project/Program AdministrationNoRegularNoDivision of Agriculture of the University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is a state wide campus with faculty based on University campuses at Research and Extension Centers and in every Arkansas county. It consists of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (CES) and is home to more than 1400 employees. The Division was established in 1959 and is headed by the Vice-President for Agriculture. The Division headquarters is located in Little Rock with the rest of the University of Arkansas System Administration. As an employer the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening. To apply for the position please click theApply link/button.

If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process and require reasonable accommodations please contact the Divisions Office of Program & Employment Compliance at .

For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting please contact Human Resources at or .

VPAG Development & Gov RelationsThe University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture (UADA) is a statewide organization consisting of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service. With nearly 1200 employees located on university campuses Research and Extension Centers and in every Arkansas county the Division advances research education and outreach that strengthen agriculture communities families and economic development throughout Arkansas.

The Associate Director for Stakeholder Engagement is a member of the Development Team and reports to the Director of Government Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement. This position plays a critical role in advancing the Divisions philanthropic priorities through donor cultivation stakeholder engagement fundraising and relationship management.

Working closely with the Director and UADA leadership faculty alumni corporations foundations industry partners and individual donors the Associate Director assists in developing and implementing fundraising strategies that generate private support for the Divisions research extension educational and capital priorities. The position manages a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors coordinates donor engagement activities participates in fundraising solicitations and supports all phases of the donor cycle including prospect identification qualification cultivation solicitation stewardship and recognition.

The Associate Director serves as an ambassador for the Division and is expected to maintain a strong understanding of UADAs mission strategic priorities and funding needs in order to effectively communicate opportunities for philanthropic investment and build long-term relationships that advance the organizations goals.

This position may require occasional evening and weekend work as well as limited travel throughout Arkansas and beyond.

Regular and reliable attendance is an essential function of this position as is the ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues donors stakeholders and university leadership.

The duty station for this position may be located at either the UADA State Office in Little Rock or the Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences in Fayetteville.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Assist in the development and execution of fundraising and stakeholder engagement strategies that support Division priorities.
Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors and develop individualized cultivation solicitation and stewardship plans.
Conduct donor visits and stakeholder meetings independently and in partnership with Division leadership the Director and Unit Heads.
Identify research qualify and cultivate prospective donors foundations corporations and other funding partners.
Participate directly in fundraising solicitations and gift discussions.
Prepare proposals gift agreements briefing materials presentations donor correspondence and reports.
Coordinate donor stewardship activities including acknowledgments impact reporting donor recognition and ongoing engagement.
Schedule and coordinate donor meetings cultivation activities travel and related logistics.
Plan and support fundraising events donor recognition programs and stakeholder engagement activities.
Maintain accurate records of donor interactions fundraising activities and prospect management within the Divisions constituent relationship management systems.
Collaborate with Division leadership faculty and staff to identify funding opportunities and develop compelling cases for support.
Respond to inquiries regarding philanthropic opportunities and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
Assist with capital campaigns strategic fundraising initiatives and special projects as assigned.
Represent the Division professionally with donors elected officials industry leaders foundations alumni and other external stakeholders.

• Bachelors degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
• Three years of professional experience in fundraising development external relations sales customer service stakeholder engagement or a closely related field.
• Experience cultivating and maintaining relationships with donors stakeholders clients or external partners.
• Experience working with advisory boards or stakeholder groups.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite applications.
• Understanding of fundraising principles donor engagement strategies and development operations.

• Three years of experience in higher education nonprofit or advancement fundraising.
• Three years of experience managing donor customer or stakeholder relationships.
• Three years of experience writing professional correspondence proposals reports or donor communications.
• Three years of experience planning coordinating or supporting special events.
• Three years of experience working with a constituent relationship management (CRM) platform or donor database.
• Experience using Workday Enterprise Management Cloud.
• Experience working in fundraising development or external relations within Arkansas.
• Familiarity with agricultural educational research or public-service organizations.

• Ability to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
• Strong verbal written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to represent the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture in a professional and effective manner.
• Knowledge of fundraising donor relations stakeholder engagement and advancement best practices.
• Exceptional customer service and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written verbal and presentation skills.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Word Excel PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple projects priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to develop creative solutions and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to work in a goal-oriented environment and contribute to achieving fundraising and stakeholder engagement objectives.

Additional Information:

Commensurate with education and experienceCover Letter/Letter of Application List of three Professional References (name email business title) Resume Unofficial/Official Transcript(s)Jeffrey Weaver
Director of Government Affairs and Stakeholder Development
U of A Division of Agriculture
2301 S. University Avenue
Little Rock AR 72204
501.671.2158

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Motor Vehicle Reports Check

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture may conduct pre-employment background checks on certain positions for applicants being considered for employment. The background checks may include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal background check or arrest pending adjudication information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absences of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a consistent non-discriminatory manner consistent with the state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law including age race color national origin disability religion protected veteran status military service genetic information sex sexual preference or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex may be sent to the Universitys Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Manipulate items with fingers including keyboardingDriving Repetitive Motion Standing Talking WalkingN/AYes