Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Richmond, Virginia
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Birmingham, Alabama
Nationwide
Posted: 05-Sep-23
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Employment Type:
Organization Type:
Preferred Education:
Internal Number: 10855
POSITION SUMMARY:
Serving as the chief development officer for the Schools of Science and Engineering, Education, Liberal Arts and Music at Duquesne University, the Executive Director for Advancement, Steam will provide counsel to the Deans/Director on advancement matters, help set philanthropic strategies and organize and set the Schools’ philanthropic priorities in order to maximize external support. The Executive Director for Advancement, Steam will plan, lead and grow all aspects of alumni and friend engagement, fundraising and comprehensive Advancement initiatives within the Schools, with a heavy emphasis on cultivating and closing major and planned gift commitments. This will also involve the Executive Director for Advancement, Steam working with academic program leaders, center directors, faculty, and staff in the respective Schools at the direction of the SVP.
The Executive Director for Advancement, Steam will report directly to the Senior Vice President for University Advancement (SVP) in close collaboration with the leadership of the Schools. This unique relationship is designed to ensure that the EDA can fully pursue strategic advancement goals for the Schools while also staying aligned with University campaigns, developments and perspectives with respect to advancement.
We expect this unique structure will be seamless and effective given that relations between the Schools and University Advancement leadership are excellent, with a long track record of successfully partnering on advancement initiatives for the Schools.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Serve as a member of the University Advancement Leadership Team.
Serve as a strategic partner to the Deans/Director and SVP in the development of annual and long-term advancement strategies and plans for the Schools.
Identify and cultivate sources of philanthropic support through near, mid, and long-term fundraising strategies and initiatives to meet the current and future needs of the Schools, in collaboration with University Advancement colleagues and the Deans/Director. Responsible for helping achieve the fundraising objectives of the Schools in support of the University’s comprehensive fundraising campaign.
Provide strategic support to the Deans/Director in the engagement of major and planned gift prospects/donors and general alumni to advance Schools initiatives, centers of excellence, academic programs, career development efforts (e.g., executive education), faculty and strategic research directions.
Direct and coordinate all fundraising efforts for the Schools in partnership with the Deans/Director and SVP to develop a comprehensive Advancement Strategic Plan for Schools fundraising.
Create and nurture a culture of philanthropy within the Schools and among their constituencies, establishing and maintaining strong and mutually beneficial relationships with external contacts and constituents on behalf of the Schools.
Establish and persuasively communicate the funding needs and priorities of the Schools to key stakeholders, providing leadership of annual, leadership annual, major, and planned gift cultivation and solicitation strategies as well as corporate partnerships.
Serve as a key liaison between the Schools and the University divisions of University Advancement and Marketing and Communications.
Plan and execute strategic Development activities, donor recognition programs, and alumni/donor engagement and recognition events for the Schools in collaboration with...
Schools leaders, including the Dean, Associate Deans, Assistant Dean, Department Chairs and other staff as needed.
University Advancement, including Alumni Engagement, Major Giving, Planned Giving, Annual Giving, Conference & Events Services, and Donor Relations colleagues.
Colleagues in the office of the SVP for Civic Engagement and External Relations.
Advise and assist University Advancement frontline fundraising colleagues in their preparation for, execution of, and follow-up with their assigned Schools donors and prospective donors.
Partner with Advancement Research and Development Services colleagues, the Deans/Director and other Schools leaders to identify new prospects for future major and planned gift opportunities.
Collaborate and strategize closely with the Deans/Director, SVP and central University Advancement gift officers on major and planned gift fundraising strategies associated with Schools prospects/donors assigned to central staff.
Conduct prospect review and strategy meetings with the Deans/Director and SVP to maximize their and the University President’s respective strategic engagement with donors.
Coordinate and facilitate the Dean/Director’s fundraising strategies and engagements with donors to ensure consistent communication, effective partnership, and timely follow-through with donors and prospective donors.
Meet quantifiable performance metrics, including successful major and principal gift solicitation.
Provide strategic and operational support to the Dean for the Schools in everything related to fundraising for the Schools (i.e., includes formulation/development of strategies and tactics related to fundraising, plus implementation/follow through with execution). Includes alumni, foundations and/or corporations as potential fundraising targets) as well as coordinating all activities in all phases of the fundraising cycle (discovery, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship).
Maintain an active portfolio of up to 120 (alumni and corporations) major and planned giving donors and prospective donors, cultivating and soliciting those assigned prospects for major and/or planned gift commitments (gifts of $25,000 or greater), meeting quantifiable performance metrics, including successful major and principal gift solicitation, in doing so.
Persuasively communicate the funding needs and priorities of the Schools to key stakeholders (both inside and outside of the Schools/University), providing leadership of annual, leadership annual, major, and planned gift cultivation and solicitation strategies as well as corporate partnerships.
Collaborate/coordinate the work of central University Advancement Gift Officers representing the Schools; coach, counsel and partner with other gift officers who may support Schools fundraising goals and initiatives.
Coordinate and strategize with the SVP for Advancement and other advancement professionals outside of the Schools on fundraising targets, strategies and tactics while serving as a liaison between the Schools and Advancement; secure/coordinate special reports, proposals, and analyses for management, including monthly financial statements and funds distribution reports.
Travel required 25% of the time.
Completes other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Supervises work of others, including planning, assigning and scheduling work, reviewing work
and ensuring quality standards, training staff and overseeing their productivity. May offer
recommendations for hiring, termination and pay adjustments, but does not have responsibility
for making these decisions.
REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in business, liberal arts, or related field from an accredited institution and 8 or more years of progressively responsible experience.
A minimum of 7 to 10 years successful experience in major gift and/or planned gift development or related field.
Current PA Driver’s License in good standing.
Preferred qualifications:
MS, MA, MBA or Master’s in a related field from an accredited institution.
Alternately, the successful candidate may possess any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
The ability and willingness to support the University Mission Statement
A high level of emotional intelligence and the ability to collaborate effectively
A proven track record of closing six-and seven-figure-major and planned gifts as well as possess experience working on a comprehensive fundraising campaign in a complex educational setting
A willingness and ability to travel locally and throughout the United States to meet with prospects and donors
Demonstrated progressive experience and successful results in fundraising/sales
The ability to initiate, analyze, monitor, evaluate and modify strategic advancement plans along with the ability to effectively connect and engage and communicate with donors and potential donors of all levels
Experience managing or leading a development team plus strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills
The ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
Effective computer and database management skills plus the ability to plan and manage budgets, gather data, compile information, and prepare reports
The ability to organize resources, establish priorities and perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned
A willingness to support and articulate the mission, identity, and strategic goals of Duquesne University and the Schools; this includes being sensitive to the need to treat each individual with dignity and respect as it relates to diversity in general and the Mission of the University specifically
Commitment to the University’s values of diversity, equity and inclusion, and recognition of the importance of treating each individual with dignity and respect consistent with the University’s Mission. Demonstrated experience with, and understanding of, the broad diversity of the University community (students, faculty, staff and others).
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the University Community.
Ability and willingness to contribute actively to the mission of the University and to respect the Spiritan Catholic identity of Duquesne University. The mission is implemented through a commitment to academic excellence, a spirit of service, moral and spiritual values, sensitivity to world concerns, and an ecumenical campus community.
