Assistant Director of Philanthropy & Engagement

Aurora University; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurora University seeks a collaborative, entrepreneurial Assistant Director of Philanthropy and Engagement to expand philanthropic support for the University’s mission and priorities.

A strategic relationship-builder, the director will manage a dynamic portfolio of alumni, parents, friends, and other constituents, identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding meaningful partnerships with a focus on securing major gifts of $25,000 and above.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Minimum of two years of demonstrated fundraising experience with individual donors, preferably in an academic environment.
• Ability to articulate Aurora University’s mission and case for support.
• Experience with personal solicitations or in sales is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage a dynamic portfolio of donors and prospects with a focus on major gifts of $25,000 and up.
• Build donor relationships through proactive outreach, visits, and strategic engagements.
• Develop cultivation and solicitation strategies and create briefing materials and proposals.
• Collaborate with Advancement and campus partners to align donor interests with university priorities.
• Meet or exceed annual fundraising goals and maintain donor records in CRM.
• Represent the university at donor events and campus activities.
• Occasional evenings/weekends and travel ~30% are required.

Skills

Donor relations

Major gifts

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Job description

Position Purpose:

Aurora University seeks a collaborative, entrepreneurial, andresults-oriented Assistant Director of Philanthropy and Engagementto expand philanthropic support for the University’s mission andpriorities. A strategic relationship-builder, the director willmanage a dynamic portfolio of alumni, parents, friends, and otherUniversity constituents, identifying, cultivating, soliciting, andstewarding meaningful philanthropic partnerships with a focus onsecuring major gifts of $25,000 and above.

The ideal candidate thrives in a goal-oriented, highlycollaborative environment and is energized by the opportunity toadvance student success, academic programs, and other Universitypriorities while helping shape the future of a student-centered,Hispanic-Serving Institution with deep regional roots and growingrelevance. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, the AssistantDirector of Philanthropy and Engagement will work closely withcolleagues across Advancement and the broader University communityto strengthen donor engagement and grow philanthropicinvestments.

Core Competencies:

1. Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner withprospective, former and current students, clients, and thecommunity we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group offaculty, staff, and students, learns and uses operating practicesof the department and Aurora University.
2. Upholds the Mission Statement: Aurora University is aninclusive community dedicated to the transformative power oflearning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourageundergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes tobuild meaningful and examined lives. Our singular goal is toempower our students to achieve lasting personal and professionalsuccess.
3. Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizesthe confidential nature of university business.
4. Supports learning through performance of essential jobfunctions and performing other duties and functions as necessary oras assigned, including voluntary participation in universitycommittees, activities and events.

Essential Job Functions:

• Manage a dynamic portfolio of donors and prospects with aprimary focus on identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting,and stewarding major gifts of $25,000 and up.
• Build and advance meaningful donor relationships throughproactive outreach, personal visits, and consistent and strategicengagements that advance relationships and support fundraisinggoals.
• Develop cultivation and solicitation strategies for eachprospect, including the creation of briefing materials, proposals,and customized engagement plans.
• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues, academic leaders, andcampus partners to align donor interests with university prioritiesand ensure effective stewardship.
• Meet or exceed established annual fundraising goals andperformance metrics, including donor visits and meaningfulcontacts, solicitations, and philanthropic commitments.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of donor interactions,strategies, and proposals in the Advancement CRM system.
• Represent the university at donor events and campusactivities.
• Occasional evening and weekend commitments, along with travelapproximately 30% of the time, are required to cultivate keyrelationships and represent the university at signatureevents.

Essential Job Requirements:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of at least two years of demonstrated successfulfundraising experience with individual donors, preferably in anacademic environment, or closely aligned professionalexperience.
• Must understand and articulate the mission of Aurora Universityand the case for its support.
• Proven track record for successful personal solicitations or insales is desired.
• Understanding of planned giving is desired.
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge or other CRM preferred.