Director of Development

alfreduniversity; Alfred (ME); On-site; USD 109,147 - 115,431; Full time

Job summary

Alfred University is seeking a Director of Development to provide strategic leadership and oversight of its major gifts program. This role involves managing a personal portfolio of high-capacity prospects and supervising the Relationship Manager/Major Gifts team.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in fundraising, specifically in securing major gifts, and must possess a Bachelor's Degree, with a preference for a Master’s Degree. This position requires travel and some evening and weekend responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Five years or more of relevant experience required.
• Experience in closing 6-figure gifts is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Implement the plans for the Major Gifts program.
• Manage and mentor relationship managers/major gift officers.
• Steward major gift donors.

Skills

Fundraising experience

Portfolio management

Mentorship

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Job description

The Director of Development provides strategic leadership and daily oversight of the University’s major gifts program, directly supervising the Relationship Manager/Major Gifts team and managing a personal portfolio of high‑capacity prospects. Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Philanthropic Relationships (AVP), the Director develops and implements cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies designed to secure major gifts and advance institutional priorities. This position requires travel and includes evening and weekend responsibilities.

Salary

$109,147‑$115,431 annually

Essentials Functions

• In consultation with the AVP of Philanthropic Relationships, implement the plans and strategy for the Major Gifts program to meet annual institutional goals.
• Personally responsible for the design and implementation of major gift cultivation and solicitation strategies for a portfolio of 125‑150 prospects. Conduct 100 substantive donor contacts annually. Qualify 20‑30 new major gift prospects per year.
• Manage, mentor, and motivate relationship managers/major gift officers and establish an outcomes‑based approach to goal setting and performance evaluation.
  • Track and measure performance goals and annual performance metrics.
  • Work with gift officers in the qualification of new prospects.
  • Assist relationship managers/major gift officers with cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to develop and maintain key, long‑term relationships with donors and prospects.
• Work closely with the Associate Vice President to create opportunities for leadership engagement with prospects.
• Steward major gift donors.
• Adhere to the highest ethical standards.
• Report on relationship manager/major gift team quarterly/annual fundraising plans, donor solicitation, cultivation, campaign (capital and annual) and stewardship efforts.
• Attend and occasionally host events for the purposes of acquisition, cultivation, and stewardship of prospects.
• Track prospects and donor contacts using organization tools and tracking methods via The Raiser’s Edge. Ensure that all donor information entry, storage, and special requests are recorded and accomplished.

Qualifications – Education & Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Bachelor’s Degree required. Master’s Degree preferred.
• Five-year+ relevant experience; fundraising/campaign experience required. Experience in closing 6‑figure gifts required.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Personal protective equipment must be worn when required. A respiratory function test and the ability to use respirators may be required. Stairs and uneven surfaces may be present; artificial lifts may or may not be available. The position may require the incumbent to walk outdoors in all types of weather to other buildings or offices located on the campus. The campus is located in an area that contains numerous hills and slopes and may not always be fully accessible for mobility‑impaired individuals.

Alfred University actively subscribes to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and will not discriminate against any employee, student or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, gender identification or expression, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.