Senior Director of Development, CALES

Position Summary
The University of Arizona Foundation is seeking a motivated and goal-oriented professional to join the Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement team as Senior Director of Development (Senior DOD) for College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences (CALES). The successful candidate will work to secure gifts of $50,000 or more to further the goals and objectives of the College, as well as design and implement fundraising strategies that will generate revenue and drive the growth of the College's mission.

The Senior DOD will be a key member of the development team reporting to the Vice President, Development. This position is a member of the Philanthropy Alumni and Engagement Team (PAE) and subject to joint management by the University of Arizona and the University of Arizona Foundation as specified in the restated Development Services and Asset Management Agreement dated July 2, 2021.

Supervisory Responsibility

The Senior DOD will be accountable for providing strategic leadership and oversight, performance planning and evaluation, staff training and development, recruitment, and may contribute to recommending pay decisions for their direct reports. The Senior Director is expected to devote 70% of work time to major gift fundraising activities and 30% of work time to management and administrative responsibilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead college fundraising for the College.
• Partner with department heads, center directors, and other administrators on fundraising.
• Advise the Dean of the College and President of the University of Arizona Foundation or designee on all College development activities.
• Participate with the Dean and the College's departments in the strategic planning of new projects and initiatives.
• Develop and sustain strong relationships with the College's faculty, board members, alumni, volunteers, donors, and financial professionals and other relevant stakeholders.
• Build and maintain the portfolio defined by the UAF for Senior DODs i.e. 50-70 assigned prospects with 40-50 in cultivation/solicitation; 40% of those in cultivation/solicitation capacity are rated at $250K+ and 15% are rated at $1M+.
• Plan, coordinate, and schedule weekly personal visits with prospects and donors utilizing UAF software, introductory letters, emails/texts, and phone calls to set appointments.
• Direct and manage the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major and principal gift level individuals, corporate and foundation prospects to support all department capital and program goals.
• Execute the College's portion of a university-wide capital campaign to ensure the College's campaign goals are met.
• After an initial 6-month onboarding period, execute an agreed-upon metric of at least 100 current or prospect donor visits and the successful closure of 15+ major/principal gift proposals per year, with an expectation of $3M+ raised after the initial onboarding period (with incremental increases after the first year).
• Develop personalized strategies for all assigned donors and prospects which builds, maintains, and enhances relationships while furthering donors' philanthropic objectives.
• Within 6 weeks of hire deliver a strategic development plan to VP and Dean.
• Provide an annual report and fundraising plan with specific goals.
• Assist PAE leadership in determining staffing needs, making hiring decisions, and working to onboard new development team members.
• Serve as a mentor to the development staff.
• Partner on development events as needed.
• Oversee an annual giving program with a national outreach to support college goals.
• In partnership with PAE, provide a high level of support in stewardship and recognition efforts for annual giving donors.
• Provide input and direction for development-focused newsletters, invitations, brochures, and other publications/communications, as needed.
• Design and manage solicitation and stewardship plans in Lynx to support fundraising initiatives.
• Maintain current and accurate records of donor prospects recorded in UAF software. On a weekly basis, enter contact reports of all visits, significant telephone conversations, letters and correspondence, gift solicitations, and other communications with donors. Maintain information about current and future gift proposals (asks).
• Ensure all contributions are properly documented and handled in accordance with the University of Arizona Gift Policy.
• Partner with College and PAE alumni engagement colleagues to help build donor pipeline for the College.
• Partner with, and effectively utilize, the development professionals and resources of the PAE, including campus-based development teams, the offices of Regional Development; Gift Planning; Leadership and Annual Giving (telephone, direct-mail, and e-solicitation services); Alumni Engagement; Marketing and Communications; Prospect Development; Financial Services; Information Services; and Foundation Relations and other PAE Central services.
• Creatively leverage outreach activities (e.g. tours, lectures, exhibits, etc.) to develop new major gift prospects.
• Utilize the common systems, policies, and procedures adhered to by PAE team members.
• Support and promote a culture of philanthropy across the University and work effectively as part of the greater PAE.
• Represent the College, University, and PAE at public events, including delivering remarks.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to raise money by philanthropy.
• Fundraising experience in a higher education setting.
• Ability to understand and follow all Federal, UA, and UAF policies and procedures, including UA scholarship and financial aid policies, as well as the University of Arizona Gift Policy.
• Knowledge and understanding of development and fundraising principles and procedures.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, strong ability to create personal relationships, and proven success in executing moves management actions and closing six-figure philanthropic gifts.
• Ability to effectively communicate the University of Arizona mission, strategic plan, and case for philanthropic support.
• Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with donors, PAE colleagues, and UA faculty, administration, and staff members.
• Experience developing and executing plans for large fundraising initiatives.
• Ability to make good decisions and to exercise good judgment and discretion.
• Ability to maintain donor confidentiality.
• Ability to make policy decisions when necessary.
• Ability to motivate and manage individuals for maximum performance.
• Ability to understand and work with budgetary procedures and policies.
• Willingness and ability to make introductory phone calls to get appointments with donor prospects.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to create personal relationships.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Excellent initiative and ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Knowledge of computer programs including MS Office products and CRM software.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of 9 years of related work experience, including 5 years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Experience leading a team, project, program, or function is required.
• Ability to drive/attend meetings throughout Arizona and travel by commercial airline as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Ability to work across multiple teams and diverse priorities.
• Demonstrated success in planning, organizing, and managing fundraising campaigns.
• Experience building advisory boards and committee structures.

Work Environment

• Regular travel is required.
• The Senior DO will be required to work evenings and/or weekends as necessary.