University of Arizona Foundation
Director of Development, Wyant College of Optical Sciences
University of Arizona Foundation, Tucson, Arizona, United States, 85718
The University of Arizona Foundation is seeking a motivated and goal-oriented professional to join the Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement team as Director of Development (DOD) for the Wyant College of Optical Sciences. The successful candidate will work to secure major gifts from individual and corporate donors of $50,000 or more to further the goals and objectives of the College.
The DOD will be the key leader of the College development team reporting to the University of Arizona Foundation Vice President, Development and the Dean of Wyant College of Optical Sciences. 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 DOD will be responsible for planning and managing the work of an administrative support professional. The DOD will be accountable for performance planning and evaluation, staff training and development, recruitment, and may contribute to recommending pay decisions.
Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities
Lead key fundraising priority initiatives for the College. Serve as a leadership partner with key department heads, center directors, and administrators on fundraising priorities and development operations initiatives.Advise the Dean of the College and President of the University of Arizona Foundation or designee on all matters related to development activities within the College.Develop and sustain strong relationships with the College/unit leadership, faculty, Strategic Advisory Board members, alumni, volunteers, donors, and financial professionals.Participate with the Dean, the college Strategic Advisory Board, the college Leadership Team, and the faculty in the strategic planning of new projects and initiatives. This will include participation in college faculty meetings and off-site annual retreats as warranted.Direct and manage the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major and principal gift level individual, corporate and foundation prospects to support all department capital and program goals.Responsible for building and maintaining a healthy portfolio defined for Lead Directors of Development as: 50-70 assigned prospects with 40-50 in cultivation/solicitation, 40% of those in cultivation/solicitation capacity rated at $250,000 and above /10% rated $1,000,000 and above.Develop and execute strategic, personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for an assigned portfolio ($50,000 capacity or greater) of donor prospects (individual, corporate, and foundation) through personal meetings (in-person or via live video conferencing platforms), letters, phone calls, email, text messaging and other methods.This portfolio also includes, exclusive to the Wyant College of Optical Sciences, approximately 50 Industrial Affiliates (IA) corporate, federal, and institutional partners making annual gifts ranging from $5,000-$25,000 (cash and in-kind). Gifts secured from IA partners are directed one hundred percent to support the College’s Academic Programs and are recognized in the DOD’s annual attainment goals.DOD will identify, cultivate, and approach new corporate donors for the College’s IA partner program while also actively working to retain current IA partners for renewed annual gifts. DOD will create and manage the stewardship plan for these IA partners and serve on a specially appointed college committee to help plan the College’s biannual Fall and Spring IA workshops. Cultivation of these donors includes attending professional trade association conferences and monitoring industry job postings at the college.Execute the College’s portion of a university-wide capital campaign to ensure the College’s campaign goals are met.Attend the College’s biannual Strategic Advisory Board meetings, taking minutes for the Board meeting and reporting on the College’s current development position.Organize and execute annual Influencing the Future industry executive speaker & breakfast event at SPIE Photonics West Conference.Plan, coordinate, and schedule weekly personal visits with prospects and donors utilizing UAF software, introductory letters, emails/texts, and phone calls to set appointments.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 $1M+ 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.Develop an annual report and fundraising plans with specific goals. Develop and achieve short and long-term strategic development plans.Supervise, mentor, evaluate performance, and provide feedback to the administrative support professional, and partner on alumni events as needed.In partnership with PAE, 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.Effectively initiate and complete Qualification Plans per PAE standards to develop new major gift prospects.Maintain current and accurate records of donor prospects in the UAF computer records system. 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; Annual Giving (telephone, direct-mail, and e-solicitation services); Leadership and Annual Giving; Alumni Engagement; Marketing and Communications; Prospect Development; Financial Services; Information Services; and Foundation Relations including 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.Help to 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.Perform other related duties as assigned.Specific Job Skills
Ability to understand and follow all Federal, UA and UAF policies and procedures, including UA and UAF 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.Excellent listening skills to fully understand and be responsive to individual donor philanthropic motivations.Ability to inspire, identify and communicate creatively tailored opportunities for donor impact.Ability to effectively communicate the University of Arizona mission, strategic plan, and case for philanthropic support.Experience developing and executing plans for large fundraising initiatives. Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with donors, PAE colleagues, and UA faculty, administration, and staff members.Ability to make good decisions and to exercise good judgment and discretion.Ability to maintain donor confidentiality.Ability to make policy decisions when necessary.Excellent communication skills.Excellent time management and organizational skills.Excellent initiative and ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.Ability to motivate and manage individuals for maximum performance.Knowledge of computer programs such as MS Office products and CRM software.Ability to understand and work with budgetary procedures and policies.Ability to work with academic and administration staff members.Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree.Minimum of 7 years of related work experience, including 3 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.Any equivalent combination of experience, training, and/or education approved by Human Resources.Preferred Qualifications
Fundraising experience in a higher education setting.Demonstrated success in planning, organizing, and managing fund raising campaigns.Experience building advisory boards and committee structures.Experience in administration and management of programs.Work Environment
Regular in-state and national travel is required.The lead DOD will be required to work evenings and/or weekends as necessary.
The DOD will be the key leader of the College development team reporting to the University of Arizona Foundation Vice President, Development and the Dean of Wyant College of Optical Sciences. 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 DOD will be responsible for planning and managing the work of an administrative support professional. The DOD will be accountable for performance planning and evaluation, staff training and development, recruitment, and may contribute to recommending pay decisions.
Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities
Lead key fundraising priority initiatives for the College. Serve as a leadership partner with key department heads, center directors, and administrators on fundraising priorities and development operations initiatives.Advise the Dean of the College and President of the University of Arizona Foundation or designee on all matters related to development activities within the College.Develop and sustain strong relationships with the College/unit leadership, faculty, Strategic Advisory Board members, alumni, volunteers, donors, and financial professionals.Participate with the Dean, the college Strategic Advisory Board, the college Leadership Team, and the faculty in the strategic planning of new projects and initiatives. This will include participation in college faculty meetings and off-site annual retreats as warranted.Direct and manage the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major and principal gift level individual, corporate and foundation prospects to support all department capital and program goals.Responsible for building and maintaining a healthy portfolio defined for Lead Directors of Development as: 50-70 assigned prospects with 40-50 in cultivation/solicitation, 40% of those in cultivation/solicitation capacity rated at $250,000 and above /10% rated $1,000,000 and above.Develop and execute strategic, personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for an assigned portfolio ($50,000 capacity or greater) of donor prospects (individual, corporate, and foundation) through personal meetings (in-person or via live video conferencing platforms), letters, phone calls, email, text messaging and other methods.This portfolio also includes, exclusive to the Wyant College of Optical Sciences, approximately 50 Industrial Affiliates (IA) corporate, federal, and institutional partners making annual gifts ranging from $5,000-$25,000 (cash and in-kind). Gifts secured from IA partners are directed one hundred percent to support the College’s Academic Programs and are recognized in the DOD’s annual attainment goals.DOD will identify, cultivate, and approach new corporate donors for the College’s IA partner program while also actively working to retain current IA partners for renewed annual gifts. DOD will create and manage the stewardship plan for these IA partners and serve on a specially appointed college committee to help plan the College’s biannual Fall and Spring IA workshops. Cultivation of these donors includes attending professional trade association conferences and monitoring industry job postings at the college.Execute the College’s portion of a university-wide capital campaign to ensure the College’s campaign goals are met.Attend the College’s biannual Strategic Advisory Board meetings, taking minutes for the Board meeting and reporting on the College’s current development position.Organize and execute annual Influencing the Future industry executive speaker & breakfast event at SPIE Photonics West Conference.Plan, coordinate, and schedule weekly personal visits with prospects and donors utilizing UAF software, introductory letters, emails/texts, and phone calls to set appointments.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 $1M+ 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.Develop an annual report and fundraising plans with specific goals. Develop and achieve short and long-term strategic development plans.Supervise, mentor, evaluate performance, and provide feedback to the administrative support professional, and partner on alumni events as needed.In partnership with PAE, 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.Effectively initiate and complete Qualification Plans per PAE standards to develop new major gift prospects.Maintain current and accurate records of donor prospects in the UAF computer records system. 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; Annual Giving (telephone, direct-mail, and e-solicitation services); Leadership and Annual Giving; Alumni Engagement; Marketing and Communications; Prospect Development; Financial Services; Information Services; and Foundation Relations including 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.Help to 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.Perform other related duties as assigned.Specific Job Skills
Ability to understand and follow all Federal, UA and UAF policies and procedures, including UA and UAF 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.Excellent listening skills to fully understand and be responsive to individual donor philanthropic motivations.Ability to inspire, identify and communicate creatively tailored opportunities for donor impact.Ability to effectively communicate the University of Arizona mission, strategic plan, and case for philanthropic support.Experience developing and executing plans for large fundraising initiatives. Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with donors, PAE colleagues, and UA faculty, administration, and staff members.Ability to make good decisions and to exercise good judgment and discretion.Ability to maintain donor confidentiality.Ability to make policy decisions when necessary.Excellent communication skills.Excellent time management and organizational skills.Excellent initiative and ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.Ability to motivate and manage individuals for maximum performance.Knowledge of computer programs such as MS Office products and CRM software.Ability to understand and work with budgetary procedures and policies.Ability to work with academic and administration staff members.Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree.Minimum of 7 years of related work experience, including 3 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.Any equivalent combination of experience, training, and/or education approved by Human Resources.Preferred Qualifications
Fundraising experience in a higher education setting.Demonstrated success in planning, organizing, and managing fund raising campaigns.Experience building advisory boards and committee structures.Experience in administration and management of programs.Work Environment
Regular in-state and national travel is required.The lead DOD will be required to work evenings and/or weekends as necessary.