Director of Development

UC Irvine; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

UC Irvine is seeking a development professional to work with the Executive Director of Development and the SoPS communications team to advance private philanthropic support for the School of Physical Sciences. The role focuses on major gifts, annual fund growth, and donor stewardship, with a hybrid on-site start and potential for at least three days on site weekly with leadership approval.

The position requires; a strong track record in fundraising within higher education, extensive donor

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, and procedures.
• Advanced written, oral and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies.
• Advanced organizational, analytical, and critical thinking skills, including skill in creative and effective decision-making and problem identification/avoidance/resolution, and strong project management skills.
• Very strong skills in maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to prepare complex and detailed proposals and related materials.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with both school and institution to achieve goals, and to meet metrics and deadlines.
• Highly organized, focused, and goal-oriented with the ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Salesforce or a comparable donor/prospect database system.
• Demonstrable experience in stewardship plans leading to additional investments.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience of successful professional development and/or fundraising-related experience, OR, any equivalent combinations of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill and abilities have been achieved.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and direct large-scale fundraising campaigns including related event planning.
• Develop and manage a dynamic major gift portfolio with gifts of at least $25,000.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gift prospects.
• Prepare Dean and leadership for prospect appointments and fundraising activities.
• Collaborate with UA offices to advance prospect strategies and reporting.
• Manage donor contacts, reports, and proposals in the donor system and reporting processes.
• Lead development boards and participate in committees.
• Coordinate travel, event logistics, and volunteer support for events.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Public relations

Written communication

Oral communication

Project management

Confidentiality

Proposal writing

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

Stewardship plans

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

Job description

The School of Physical Sciences (SoPS) is seeking a development professional who works collaboratively with the Executive Director of Development (EDoD), the Director of Communications for the SoPS, and University Advancement (UA) to contribute to the development program and secure significant philanthropic investments to support the SoPS. The primary activity of the Director of Development (DoD) is externally focused to secure private philanthropic support and the DoD's effectiveness will be evaluated on the ability to achieve financial goals and meet metrics. Under the general direction of the EDoD, the DoD develops strategies to manage and enhance the annual fund and major gifts programs for the SoPS. The DoD is expected to serve as a member of the School's Advancement team, and to also be a highly collaborative colleague with other development officers across the campus. Our office works on coordinated hybrid schedules to meet the business needs of leadership and our clients. This position will begin on-site and - with leadership approval - may be eligible for a hybrid schedule of no less than three days on site per week.

Essential Functions:

The identification of essential functions below is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties that may be assigned to this position, nor does it restrict the duties which may be assigned to this position if such duties reasonably relate to the position.

Plans, organizes, and directs large-scale, fundraising campaigns which include multiple components, including related special event planning. May serve as an expert or lead development professional in a specific academic discipline. Develops and coordinates guest and participant lists, including developing and maintaining databases of participants, potential and invited speakers, faculty, and administrators. Tracks responses to invitations, sends reminders, guidance and other information to participants, guests, and leadership. Staffs and serves as event lead for logistics during event functions. Attend and arrange additional event staffing. Recruit, train, and support new and repeat student, faculty and staff volunteers needed for each event. Coordinates and arranges travel, lodging meals as needed. 25%

Ensures that predetermined fundraising goals are met and implements program activities to achieve these goals. Conducts at least 12 substantive meaningful contacts per month; Qualifies 40 new major gift prospects through personal appointments, annually; Secures $1,000,000 annually in new gifts and commitments for the SoPS 30%

Develops and manages a dynamic major gift portfolio to identify, qualify, cultivate, directly solicit and steward prospects with the capacity to make contributions of at least $25,000. May include corporate and foundation prospects, and contributions at a variety of levels. Writes proposals for solicitation of individual, corporate, and/or foundation prospects. 20%

Works with the Executive Director of Development, the Dean, department chairs, and center directors to identify, assess, and prioritize funding opportunities within the School. Fosters successful fundraising in the School by preparing the Dean and other academic leaders to participate routinely and effectively in development activities and prospect appointments. Works routinely and closely with academic leadership, key faculty, and Advancement colleagues to support the Dean's fundraising priorities including administrative and operational needs of the department. In collaboration with the Director of Communications, prepares PowerPoint presentations, speaking engagement materials (including speaking remarks and faculty bios) for the Dean, manages resources, develops, and implements procedures for internal records management for donor events. 10%

Collaborates with various UA offices and functions - including stewardship, research and prospect management, financial services, annual giving, and development to advance prospect strategies; Uses the UA prospect management and tracking system. Participates as directed by the Executive Director of Development, as a member of the UA constituent development team in development activities across campus and serves as a resource to other unit-based development colleagues about the School’s fundraising opportunities. Manages prospect and donor contacts, contact reports, and donor proposals. Assists in identifying relevant alumni from the SoPS four departments and prospective donors, including basic prospect research. Manages multi-step gift processing (including deposits), ensuring compliance with School of Physical Sciences and University policies and procedures. Works with School fund manager to ensure timely gift reporting for school leadership. Assists in the development and distribution of appropriate stewardship and fund-raising materials including gift stewardship letters. Works in, updates and produces reports in Zotforce (Salesforce). Manage and prepare data/reports for fundraising initiatives as directed. Attends functions, meetings, and serves on internal/external committees as a representative of the School. 10%

Manages, builds, and leads the SoPS development boards. 5%

What It Takes to be Successful

Required:

• Advanced knowledge of all aspects of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, and procedures. Ability to apply creative techniques to the processes.
• Advanced written, oral and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies. Ability to make persuasive and compelling presentations of goals and objectives in order to secure gifts.
• Advanced organizational, analytical, and critical thinking skills, including skill in creative and effective decision-making and problem identification/avoidance/resolution, and strong project management skills.
• Very strong skills in maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to prepare complex and detailed proposals and related materials.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with both school and institution to achieve goals, and to meet metrics and deadlines. Ability to meet demanding work schedule expectations.
• Highly organized, focused, and goal-oriented with the ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Salesforce or a comparable donor/prospect database system.
• Demonstrable experience in stewardship plans leading to additional investments.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience of successful professional development and/or fundraising-related experience, OR, any equivalent combinations of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill and abilities have been achieved. Related experience and comparable knowledge should include fundraising, and may also include fundraising in combination with a variety of pathways including - but not limited to - executive events planning and management, administrative coordination, annual giving, stewardship, external relations, communication, public relations, corporate/foundation relations, development personnel, and others.

Preferred:

• Advanced working knowledge of all aspects of the location, including current issues of concern for both the campus throughout higher education generally.
• Advanced working knowledge of the location, its vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements and infrastructure. Interest and/or familiarity in the sciences and the local Orange County philanthropic and business community.
• Advanced knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, etc.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience successful professional development and/or fundraising-related experience in higher education

Special Conditions:

• Local, regional, and/or national travel is required.
• May work long hours to meet fundraising commitments.