Director of National Development

Case Western Reserve University; Cleveland (OH); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Case Western Reserve University’s Case School of Engineering seeks a Director of National Development to lead strategic solicitation of major gifts. The role focuses on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding 125 prospects (alumni, non-alumni, corporations and foundations) for gifts ranging from $100,000 to $250,000.

A major emphasis is on face-to-face donor engagement and collaboration with university-wide development teams.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of professional fundraising or related experience in higher education preferred.
• Experience in development, alumni relations, public relations, or marketing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of major gifts.
• Develop strategies to engage corporations and foundations and coordinate with senior staff.
• Collaborate with school-based and central development teams to meet fundraising goals.
• Identify, qualify, recruit and manage alumni volunteers to support fundraising efforts.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Microsoft Office

AI tools familiarity

Face-to-face donor cultivation

Time management

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM software

Job description

The director of national development has a primary responsibility for the strategic solicitation of individual gifts for the Case School of Engineering. This position is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding 125 prospects, including alumni, and non-alumni and a targeted group of local and national corporations and foundations for gifts of $100,000 to $250,000. Functioning as part of a university-wide development team, the incumbent will be expected to work collegially, and in partnership, with school-based colleagues and develop strong relationships with central development personnel and university trustees. This position will require that approximately 80% of their time be spent on direct face-to-face cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors and participate in planning and implementing school initiatives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Plan strategies for the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of gifts for a portfolio of 125 major gifts prospects with a giving potential in the range of $100,000 to $250,000; develop and implement strategic cultivation and solicitation strategies with the responsibility of raising private support and the achievement of personal fundraising goals. Develop and implement major gift prospect cultivation activities regionally and nationally in coordination with development and alumni relations colleagues. (65%)
• Serve as development staff contact for chairs and other senior faculty; work with departments in the planning and implementation of departmental fundraising. Develop strategies to build a strong relationship with corporation and foundation partners, which may include the dean, associate dean and other senior staff of the school, president, provost and senior vice president of development and university relations. Develop major gift strategies that leverage corporation and foundation partnerships with on campus activities. (10%)
• Serve as a member of the development staff and assist with the development and implementation of program strategies and overall departmental development plans to fulfill the mission of the school and the university. (10%)
• Identify, qualify, recruit, train and manage alumni volunteers as appropriate, who will actively participate in the soliciting of gifts of all levels. Partner with volunteers to engage and cultivate individuals who have capacity to make gifts of $100,000 to $250,000 to the school. (10%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide assistance with other funding priorities as determined by the senior director of national development. (4%)
• Perform other duties as assigned by the senior director of national development. (1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Frequent contact with dean, associate/assistant deans, department chairs, directors, faculty, students and staff as required to perform essential functions.

University: Contact with the president's office, vice presidents, deans, trustees, alumni, directors of administrative departments, faculty and staff as required to perform essential functions.

External: Daily contact with donors, alumni, foundation representatives, community organizers/advocates, corporate executives and federal, state and local government officials. Contact with visitors, academic boards and organizations as required to perform essential functions.

Students: Contact with undergraduate, graduate and professional students as required to perform essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 7 or more years of professional experience required. Experience in higher education, including the areas of development, alumni relations, public relations, marketing or related fields preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• High degree of energy, creativity, organization and interpersonal skills as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• Must be able to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues.
• Computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office) and the ability to learn new programs.
• Ability to demonstrate history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
• Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment, some evening and weekend work hours will be required. Extensive travel required.

This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.

EEO Statement

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodations

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.