Director of Development

Drexel University; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 83,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

Drexel University’s College of Medicine seeks a Director of Development to drive major gift fundraising from a portfolio of private donors. The role coordinates with the Institutional Advancement team, travels to engage donors nationwide, and supports alumni and volunteers to foster a culture of philanthropy.

The position reports to the Associate Vice President/Director of Alumni Engagement and requires a proven track record in securing $50,000+ gifts, strong communication skills, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 5 years fundraising experience, preferably in higher education or health system.
• Experience with direct solicitation of 5- and 6-figure gifts.
• Proven track record of securing $50,000+ gifts.
• Willingness to travel domestically, including West Coast.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent administrative skills.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Secure major gifts of $50,000+ through identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Manage a donor portfolio of ~125 prospects capable of $50,000+ commitments.
• Maintain 12–15 face-to-face donor meetings per month.
• Travel domestically to manage donors, focusing on the West Coast.
• Collaborate with the AVP and other gift officers to engage volunteers and alumni.
• Support alumni engagement and culture of philanthropy in the college.
• St ew ard donors with ongoing communications and event invitations.
• Maintain knowledge of university priorities and fundraising initiatives.
• Follow Institutional Advancement procedures for prospect management and reporting.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal----

Interpersonal skills

Administrative skills

Flexibility/adaptability

Evenings/weekends availability

Valid driver’s license

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree

Tools

CS Advance

Prospect management software

Job description

The Director of Development is a member of the Institutional Advancement (IA) team assigned to develop philanthropic resources from a portfolio of prospective donors from across the College of Medicine. This position will play a central role in major gift fundraising in support of both the College and university-wide priorities. The Director of Development is part of the Individual Giving team and does not have supervisory responsibilities. This is a Hybrid position traveling into campus as needed, including events, internal meetings, donor meetings, etc.

Essential Functions

• Actively works to secure major gifts of $50,000 or more by pursuing the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of private support from individuals.
• Builds and manages a pool of approximately 125 prospective donors capable of making commitments of a minimum of $50,000. -
• Maintains an active schedule of face-to-face meetings with major gift suspects and prospects, averaging between 12 to 15 such meetings per month.
• Travels as needed to manage donors in assigned geographic territories throughout the country, with a planned emphasis on West Coast travel.
• Coordinates with the Assistant Vice President and other College of Medicine gift officers in identifying and working with key volunteers to establish and strengthen advisory boards for the College of Medicine.
• Coordinates with the Assistant Vice President and the Director of the Alumni Engagement to help foster activities that contribute to a culture of philanthropy in the college including Alumni Weekend.
• Stewards donors through ongoing communications, recognition activities, invitations to key events, and interaction with beneficiaries of their support.
• Develops and deepens understanding of initiatives and opportunities across the assigned Colleges/Schools.
• Promotes University priorities and image to constituents; Serves as front line staff to promote campus goals and objectives.
• Maintains current knowledge of university-wide institutional priorities.
• As appropriate, and with the knowledge of the Assistant Vice President, qualifies, cultivates and solicits prospects on behalf of other campus units.
• Follows Institutional Advancement procedures with regard to prospect management and documenting contacts.
• Responsible for oversight and submission of all relative fundraising reports, statistics, projections and publications.
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree or the equivalent combination of education and work experience. (Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.)
• Minimum of 5 years of fundraising experience, preferably in higher education and health system setting.
• Experience with direct solicitation of 5- and 6-figure gifts from individuals.
• Proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts of $50,000+.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically (including West Coast) on a frequent basis.
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent administrative skills.
• Valid Drivers License.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree. Course work in subjects relevant to Business.
• Familiarity with planned giving concepts and experience in soliciting planned gifts.
• Experience working with senior-level executives.
• Knowledge of prospect management systems.
• Knowledge of database fundraising software CS Advance.

Location

• Hybrid/Flexible Work Arrangement

Additional Information

This position is classified as Exempt, grade M. Compensation for this grade ranges from $82,920 - $124,380 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position will vary based on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel's compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel's Benefits Brochure.