Director of Development, Central Initiatives

I. JOB OVERVIEW

Job Description Summary:

The Division of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) is seeking a Director of Development (DoD) for the George Washington University’s Central Initiatives team, encompassing all aspects of a student’s university life outside of academics and athletics, as well as key university-wide priorities. DAR is responsible for leading the university’s alumni and fundraising efforts and seeks to promote a culture of philanthropy throughout the university community, including alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, corporations and foundations, patients, and friends. Our goal is to advance GW’s mission of excellence in education, research, scholarship, and patient care.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Central Development, the Director of Development, Central Initiatives will drive attainment in support of key university-wide priorities and will serve as a liaison to one of our campus partners.

The Director of Development’s work will support the strategy for Central Initiatives fundraising as implemented by the Assistant Vice President of Central Development and will help to build and develop the university’s philanthropic pipeline as a front-line gift officer. In conjunction with the Executive Director of Central Development, the Director supports the top-line and secondary goals for George Washington General University (GWGU). Top-line goals include: Total Attainment in $s; Total Scholarship Attainment in $s; Total # of Donors; # of Engaged Alumni. Secondary goals include: Donor Retention; # of Scholarship Donors; # of Family Donors; and # of Alumni Donors. This hybrid position is based in Washington, DC, and will require regular, national travel to support and advance relationships with prospects and donors.

This experienced individual serves as the primary liaison between the development team and an assigned portfolio of alumni, parents, and friends of the university in order to secure philanthropic gifts. This role partners with deans, faculty, central-, and school-based development staff to meet fundraising goals, execute events, and build affinity in support of university-wide philanthropic priorities. This position will average 8-10 prospect visits monthly and will identify, research, qualify, and cultivate individual giving prospects. This will entail collaborating closely with school/unit development and alumni relations staff as well as the central university development office to increase donor engagement and maximize gift potential. This position will assist the alumni relations team by driving an alumni audience to relevant activities, with the intention of identifying prospects and cultivating donors, while working closely with faculty and staff to gain a strong knowledge and understanding of the academic and research programs taking place throughout the university. The position will be responsible for data management of the portfolio to ensure accurate prospect tracking of stage progression, contact reports, proposals, philanthropic capacity/inclination and biographical data. This position may mentor other major gift officers in DAR and will serve as a trusted partner to one or more of our campus partners.

The Director operates in an environment that fosters sustainable development work based upon best practices and standard performance metrics. This gift officer will serve as an honest broker of donor interests and support fundraising opportunities for a variety of areas across campus with a collaborative approach at all times.

Responsibilities:

• Builds and manages a portfolio of 100 – 120 prospects, accomplishing substantive prospect moves to achieve individual metrics at the Director level. Secures gifts ranging from $50,000 to $1,000,000+, with a focus on 6-figure gifts, from major and principal level prospects, working with urgency to support priorities defined by university leadership.

• Travels regularly to a designated geographic region, assigned by the Executive Director, Central Development, to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and principal gift prospects and leads, while realizing deadlines and functioning effectively inside a fast-paced environment, which necessitates professional excellence, a high energy level, discretion, and flexibility.

• Completes high-level discovery work to build and document a pipeline of prospects for GW’s university-wide priority initiatives. Maintains proper documentation of fundraising activities in the database (Advance) including strategies, correspondence, visits, proposals, and solicitations.

• At the direction of the Executive Director, Central Development, the Director of Development, Central Initiatives, builds and maintains relationships with appropriate campus partner staff to understand and effectively communicate university-wide funding priorities. This position operates with independence and initiative while collaborating with team members and colleagues across the division to share best practices and execute joint solicitations.

• Fosters a collaborative and results-oriented work environment which encourages teamwork and personal growth.

Performs other work-related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position. Strong candidates will be able to showcase experience engaging and motivating groups of diverse individuals. S/he will be able to demonstrate an ability to manage a large number of fundraising activities simultaneously plus highlight a track record of overseeing donors aligned with faculty/senior staff relationships.

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 6 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master’s degree in a relevant area of study plus 4 years of relevant experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. An advanced degree is preferred.
• Minimum of six years of development experience with specific experience in major gifts, volunteer recruitment, and campaign management preferred.
• Demonstrated ability in cultivating and soliciting gifts at the six-figure level.
• Prior development experience as a fundraiser in higher education strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with donor management systems and a high degree of comfort with using technology to communicate, track, and share information.
• Strategic planning skills that include the ability to develop, implement, and monitor short-and long-term goals for engagement, donor acquisition and retention.
• Experience working staffing senior leaders on donor calls and events.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal and project management skills.
• Distinguished track record of collaborating with a team to achieve goals.
• Ability to travel locally and nationally and to work on occasional evenings and weekends.

Hiring Range

$120,862.67 - $169,137.25

GW Staff Approach to Pay

Healthcare Benefits

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit

II. JOB DETAILS

Campus Location:

Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department:

Development & Alumni Relations

Family

Dev & Alumni Relations

Sub-Family

Major Gifts

Stream

Individual Contributor

Level

Level 4

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full-Time

Hours Per Week:

40

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday, Daytime Hours, some evenings and weekends

Will this job require the employee to work on site?

Yes

Employee Onsite Status

Hybrid

Telework:

Yes

Required Background Check:

Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status

Internal Applicants Only?

No

Posting Number:

S013327

Job Open Date:

09/23/2024

Job Close Date:

12/31/2024

If temporary, grant funded or limited term appointment, position funded until:

Background Screening

Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.

EEO Statement:

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.