Director of Development

Augustana University (SD); Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Augustana University invites applications for a Director of Development. This role sits in the Advancement team and leads strategies to cultivate major gift prospects and current donors in support of the University's priorities and mission.

The director will manage a portfolio of prospects capable of giving $25,000 or more, conduct meaningful visits, present impactful proposals, and work with faculty, leadership, and volunteers to advance fundraising goals. Travel regionally is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination required.
• Three+ years fundraising experience including direct solicitation and closing five-, six-, and seven-figure gifts.
• Experience assessing donor needs and developing meaningful relationships.
• Experience creating, implementing, and evaluating fundraising strategies.
• Ability to communicate a compelling case for support and inspire donors to act.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, relationship-building, and organizational skills.
• Ability to travel regionally and across the United States; valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage a portfolio of at least 150 major gift prospects to solicit within a one-year timeframe.
• Develop individualized strategies for identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors and prospects.
• Conduct 12–15 quality visits per month with major gift prospects.
• Present 2–3 major gift proposals per month.
• Review and update donor and prospect ratings based on research, engagement, and visits.
• Manage donor relationships and moves management using the donor tracking system.
• Develop giving opportunities including annual, capital, endowment, and planned gifts.
• Collaborate with faculty, senior academic leaders, trustees, volunteers, and the Advancement team to advance fundraising priorities.
• Meet or exceed annual fundraising and donor engagement goals.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Communication

Relationship-building

Strategic planning

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Donor tracking system

Job description

Augustana University invites applications for a Director of Development. This position is an integral member of the Advancement team, responsible for building and managing relationships with major gift prospects and current donors. The Director of Development develops and implements strategies to secure philanthropic support from alumni, parents, friends, and other supporters of the University while connecting donor interests with Augustana's priorities and mission. The position manages a portfolio of major gift prospects with the capacity to make gifts of $25,000 or greater and participates in comprehensive asks that may include annual, capital, endowment, and planned gifts.

Responsibilities include the following:

• Build and maintain a portfolio of at least 150 qualified major gift prospects who can be solicited within a one-year timeframe.
• Develop and implement individualized strategies for the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors and prospects.
• Conduct an average of 12 to 15 quality visits per month with major gift prospects.
• Present an average of two to three major gift proposals per month.
• Continually review and update donor and prospect ratings based on research, engagement, and visits.
• Manage donor relationships and moves management activity using the University's donor tracking system.
• Develop comprehensive giving opportunities that may include annual unrestricted support, capital, endowment, and planned gifts.
• Build strong working relationships with faculty, senior academic leaders, trustees, volunteers, and members of the Advancement team to advance University fundraising priorities.
• Meet or exceed established annual fundraising and donor engagement goals.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience required.
• Three or more years of successful fundraising experience, including direct solicitation and successful closing of five-, six-, and seven-figure gifts from individuals. Candidates with strong related experience and transferable skills may also be considered.
• Experience assessing donor or client needs and interests and developing meaningful relationships.
• Experience creating, implementing, and evaluating strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate a compelling case for support and inspire donors or clients to act.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, relationship-building, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively toward deadlines and fundraising goals.
• Strong commitment to ethical fundraising practices and the mission, goals, and objectives of private higher education.
• Experience working in higher education preferred.
• Ability to travel regionally and throughout the United States and attend occasional evening and weekend events.
• Valid driver's license required.

Interacting with students, faculty and leadership with different backgrounds and points of view and a deep appreciation of and respect for academic values and culture must be a top value of the candidate.

Augustana University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Title IX Employer. Applicants must comply with the Immigration Reform and Control Act and may be required to submit official transcripts upon employment. Finalist candidates must satisfactorily complete a pre-employment background check.