Director of Individual Giving

FORDHAM University; New York, Armonk (NY, NY); On-site; USD 115,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

FORDHAM University is seeking a Director of Individual Giving to enhance its fundraising efforts. The successful candidate will manage a significant donor portfolio, create engagement strategies, and work collaboratively across departments to support the Law School's initiatives. A bachelor's degree and extensive fundraising experience are required. This role offers a comprehensive benefits package, reflective of the university's commitment to excellence in education and community service.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Retirement plans

Tuition remission

Generous time off

Qualifications

• Minimum of six years of fundraising experience.
• At least three years of supervisory experience.
• Comfortable interacting with high-net-worth individuals.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 prospects.
• Develop engagement strategies for soliciting gifts of $5,000 level+.
• Work closely with development team to identify funding opportunities.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

MS Office

CRM Advance

Blackbaud Fundraising Performance Management

Job description

Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering an exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to more than 16,000 students in its nine colleges and schools. It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in West Harrison, N.Y., the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y., and the London Centre in the United Kingdom.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement plans; life insurance; short and long-term disability; employee assistance program ( EAP ); tuition remission; and generous time off.

Successful candidates should have a knowledge of and commitment to the goals of Jesuit Education.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Development & Strategic Initiatives, the Director of Individual Giving is a key contributing member of Law Development, responsible for growing the foundational aspects of the Individual Giving program.

Individual Giving includes but is not limited to the annual fund, financial aid, student-based programs, faculty support, centers, and institutes within the Law School, employing a donor-centric approach to fundraising.

The Director is also responsible for developing and managing a donor portfolio, maintaining relationships, and promoting giving opportunities with alumni, parents, and friends. The Director works closely with faculty, senior administrators, and volunteers.

This position will require some evening/weekend work.

Essential Functions

Maintains a portfolio of approximately 150 prospects.

Devises individual engagement strategies for each prospect in their pool with the goal of soliciting annual/restricted gifts and/or multi-year gift commitments at the $5,000 level+, with specific solicitation goals to be determined in an annual goal-setting process.

Make persuasive verbal and written cases for supporting Fordham Law’s key priorities, effectively matching prospects’ interests to specific projects and programs needing support and ensuring effective stewardship of donor relationships.

Utilizes CRM Advance and Blackbaud Fundraising Performance Management systems to record moves, asks, and outcomes, including contact reports, rating and staffing changes, proposals, and gift commitments.

Assists in setting priorities for multiple short-term and long-term projects based upon established goals for the Law School major gifts team.

Works closely with the development team and senior administration at the Law School to identify new funding opportunities and projects for donors.

Participates in advancement activities and events, including dinners, receptions, and alumni campus visits.

Develops and maintains relationships with faculty, staff, and volunteers associated with his/her portfolios/programs; meet with colleagues across campus to coordinate and execute strategies, utilizing experience and knowledge to resolve conflicts and build consensus.

Essential Functions Note

Essential Functions Note This list is not intended to be an exhaustive list.
The University may assign additional related duties as necessary.

Management Responsibilities

Management Responsibilities Supervises the work of other Fordham employees who are individual contributors. Responsible for hiring, training and developing, managing performance and administering corrective action. Has significant input in compensation decisions.

Additional Functions

Required Qualifications: Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree

Minimum of six (6) years of fundraising experience, demonstrating a successful track record in solicitation efforts

Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience as a leader of fundraising teams.

Required Qualifications: Knowledge and Skills

Proven experience working effectively in a complex institutional setting, developing and sustaining productive and effective relationships with alumni, donors, faculty, parents, volunteers, colleagues, and senior leadership.

Strong interpersonal skills, both written and oral, as well as a high level of sophistication and maturity in social and professional settings.

Analytical skills and ability to solve complex problems; ability to organize, prioritize, and complete multiple projects simultaneously with close attention to detail, meet deadlines, and work in a fast-paced environment.

Comfortable interacting with high-net-worth individuals, an ability to maintain discretion, and a high level of confidentiality when dealing with significant benefactors.

Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a team environment; an ability and willingness to quickly learn the Law School’s and University’s history, mission, demographics, faculty, current programs, and departments, as well as University culture.

Comfortable using personal computers, tablets, and software programs for retrieving, organizing, researching, and presenting appropriate donor/prospect information; proficiency with MS Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working with trusts, estates, and estate planning products;

Private sector experience in wealth management or accounting.

Prior capital campaign experience.

Advanced degree (e.g.J.D. or LL.M.)

Minimum Starting Salary

Minimum Starting Salary $115,000

Maximum Starting Salary

Maximum Starting Salary $125,000

Note

Note Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and skills.

Is this a Union position?

Is this a Union position? No

Posting Number

Posting Number A794P

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Start Date

Start Date ASAP

Posting Date

Posting Date 05/21/2025

Special Instructions

EEO Statement

Fordham University is committed to excellence through diversity and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds.

Fordham University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Physical Activity and Work Environment

Physical Activity

Sitting Nearly Continuously

Repetitive Hand Motion (such as typing)

Repetitive Hand Motion (such as typing) Nearly Continuously

Hearing, Listening, Talking Nearly Continuously

Standing

Standing Often

Walking

Walking Often

Running

Running Not Required

Bending, Stooping, Kneeling, squatting, Crouching, Crawling

Bending, Stooping, Kneeling, squatting, Crouching, Crawling Not Required

Climbing stairs Seldom

Climbing ladders

Climbing ladders Not Required

Reaching overhead

Reaching overhead Not Required

Pulling, pushing

Pulling, pushing Seldom

Shoveling

Shoveling Not Required

Lifting – up to 20 pounds

Lifting – up to 20 pounds Seldom

Lifting – up to 50 pounds

Lifting – up to 50 pounds Not Required

Lifting – over 50 pounds Not Required

Work Environment Office Environment: Employees are protected from weather conditions or contaminants, but not necessarily occasional temperature changes.

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

Resume

Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Supplemental questions you will be required to answer on the application (No action is needed on this page)

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have a minimum of six (6) years of fundraising experience, demonstrating a successful track record in solicitation efforts?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have a bachelor's degree?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have a minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience as a leader of fundraising teams?
  • Yes
  • No