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George Mason University

Associate Director of Constituent Engagement

George Mason University, Richmond, Virginia, United States,


Department:

College of Science

Classification:

Administrative Faculty

Job Category:

Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type:

Full-Time

Work Schedule:

Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location:

Fairfax Campus

Workplace Type:

Hybrid Eligible

Salary:

Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check:

Yes

About the Department:

The mission of the College of Science’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations is to raise private philanthropic funds in support of students, faculty, departments, programs, and centers within the College. We also explicitly support the efforts of the advancement offices of other colleges and the university as a whole. This is accomplished by building relationships with alumni, friends, parents and students and by soliciting donations, major gifts, planned gifts, and corporate and foundation support. Alumni relations are cultivated and maintained through outreach efforts.

Statement on Diversity:

George Mason University College of Science (Mason Science) is committed to advancing access, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (A-JEDI) throughout our STEM community, including within our hiring and retention practices. At Mason Science, our values include fostering an organizational culture that promotes anti-racism, belonging, respect, and civility. We believe that a diversity of opinions, cultures, and perspectives is what provides vibrancy, innovation and growth to an academic community. By prioritizing inclusive excellence in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to attract a diverse pool of faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Science mission and vision.

About the Position:

The Associate Director of Constituent Engagement (ADOCE) plays a key role in supporting and achieving the annual and strategic philanthropic goals of the College. This position coordinates with the Dean’s Office, central Advancement Office, and external constituents to help achieve the fundraising goals and priorities of the College and University. Reporting to the Sr. Director of Development, this position is responsible for identifying and implementing strategies for success in securing significant philanthropic support for priorities.

The ADOCE is integral to effective prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to support the work of the college. The Associate Director of Constituent Engagement is the chief persuasive writer and editor for all COS Development communication efforts, especially solicitations through direct mail, newsletters, and web-based appeals. The ADOCE works to build relationships with friends, parents, students, and particularly alumni through events and other various forms of outreach, collaborating with central Alumni Relations. They serve as the liaison to Central Advancement for stewardship and annual giving, creating effective collaborations and innovative methods of outreach supports the development life cycle.

Responsibilities:

Working in collaboration with the COS Dean's office, the ADOCE will be responsible for integrating development communication with other communication efforts in the college, including but not limited to COS development's web and social media presence by collecting and using all college points of pride, such as stories of impact from the work of the college.

The ADOCE will also be responsible for producing a monthly e-newsletter to alumni and various communications to alumni and donors.

Accountable for cultivating relationships with individuals and organizations with focus on retention, recapture, and growth, they will be playing a key role in building trusting relationships with advancement colleagues as well as deans, directors, prospects, donors and volunteers.

The selected candidate will support the Senior Director of Development in research and outreach to pipeline of potential donors, previously unengaged with the College.

Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Collaborating with COS's gift officers, Mason's Office of Annual Giving, and individual units within COS to produce supplemental annual giving communications such as direct mail, print and e-newsletters, annual reports, case statements, brochures, Mason Giving Day marketing and appeals, and other pieces as needed in order to build relationships, particularly with alumni, and raise funds for the work of the college;

Creating an efficient and meaningful acknowledgement process to express gratitude to all donors and faculty and staff who support the College of Science (COS);

Working with COS gift officers and leadership to identify unique and meaningful expressions of gratitude for all assigned donors and all faculty/staff that support COS;

Organizing and implementing special events for alumni and prospect engagement for COS and the schools and departments within the College;

Coordinating with College faculty, centers, and programs on alumni engagement events and projects;

Developing an event(s) timeline with goal targets, benchmarks, actual results, deadlines, and follow-up plans;

Managing budget for events to accomplish event goals within the budget assigned by the Senior Director of Advancement;

Developing strategies to support the cultivation of a portfolio of engaged alumni and prospects. Works with the College’s departments to include donors in department-level events such as public lectures and seminars;

Working closely with Advancement staff and COS leadership to create and support with a strategic plan and a formal alumni chapter;

Maintaining accurate and timely records using University Development data management and reporting systems, following Mason policies and procedures, maintaining files, and providing annual projections.

Required Qualifications:

Master’s degree in related field or the equivalent combination of education and experience;

Significant (typically 5+ years) prior experience in constituent engagement, communications, and strategy implementation for annual fundraising;

Demonstrated successful professional advancement/alumni relations and/or fundraising-related experience;

Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and meeting continuous deadlines;

Experience with an entrepreneurial approach to fundraising;

Excellent research, writing and interpersonal communication skills;

Evidence of understanding, and the ability to articulate, the accomplishments and goals of a complex organization along with sound judgment skills necessary for interacting with alumni, donor prospects, trustees, faculty and staff;

Confidence to reach out and speak to potential donors in person or on the telephone; and

Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and experience with a donor database.

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstrated successful professional advancement/alumni relations and/or fundraising-related experience in higher education;

Salesforce experience.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for

Associate Director of Constituent Engagement

at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review.

Posting Open Date:

August 27, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by:

September 10, 2024

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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