Development Director, Major Gifts [Development Director, Major Gifts, Coral Gables, FL]

Description

The University of Miami is considered among the top tier institutions of higher education in the U.S. for its academic excellence, superior medical care, and cutting-edge research. At the U, we are committed to attracting a talented workforce to support our common purpose of transforming lives through teaching, research, and service. Through our values of Diversity, Integrity, Responsibility, Excellence, Compassion, Creativity and Teamwork (DIRECCT) we strive to create an environment where everyone contributes in making UM a great place to work. We are one of the largest private employers in Miami-Dade County; home to more than 13,400 faculty and staff from all over the world.

The Development Director will work with the Assistant Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences and the Director of the Lowe Art Museum to develop and implement key fundraising strategies for their respective areas.

Areas of Focus: Lowe Art Museum, Department of Art and Art History and the Department of Theatre Arts.

Measurements of Success for Major Gift Fundraisers (DOs):
•Demonstrate significant and continuous progress toward campaign or multi-year project goals. Dollar goals established with supervisor.
•Reach departmental yearly cash fundraising goals (team goal). Dollar goals established with supervisor.
•Make an appropriate amount of substantive cultivation and solicitation actions toward closing gifts. Numbers established with supervisor.
•Reach individual yearly goals for “number and amounts solicited” and “number and amounts funded”. Reach additional goals acting as a collaborator. Number established with supervisor.
•Manage an appropriate number of active prospects and active proposals. Number and amounts to be established with supervisor.

Essential Responsibilities:
Among the administrative and operational responsibilities, the Development Director will:
•Identify prospective donors and funding sources, in conjunction with faculty and staff, and develop cultivation and solicitation plans, involving the aforementioned groups and volunteers, as appropriate. Raise support in the form of philanthropic gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
•Design and implement major gift development cultivations and special events, designed to assist with identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major gift prospects. Manage volunteer and staff activities related to planning and execution of these events.
•Ensure regular communications and stewardship with donors, including re-solicitations, proper acknowledgement of gifts and pledge payments, reporting, visiting, and providing regular information on the progress of the departments.
•Prepare and maintain a master plan of funding priorities, in conjunction with above-mentioned leadership and staff. Determine fundable projects and package them appropriately for consideration by donors.
•Develop and implement an annual work plan with measurable objectives and courses of action for all relevant activities during the years. This work plans includes individualized, long and short-term donor strategies to increase meaningful engagement and support.
•Make appropriate recommendations to administration, Chairpersons and appropriate faculty concerning their roles and involvement in the identification, cultivation, or solicitation of donor prospects. Facilitate face-to-face interactions with appropriate donor’s and prospects.
•Maintain communications with colleagues in departments, schools and central development to ensure effective collaborations and synergy in achieving the university’s key fundraising goals and objectives.
•Develop and maintain in-depth knowledge of the assigned projects and key donors. Work closely with colleagues to design and implement donor engagement, recognition, and stewardship strategies.
•Document all contacts, communications, visits, and proposals in RE and other appropriate donor files.
•Work with the Assistant Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences and Director of the Lowe to develop appropriate fundraising budgets and revenue projections for annual and campaign giving.
•Where appropriate and required, manage support staff, freelance, temporary employees and related volunteer organizations, as determined by senior management.
•Provide professional fundraising services and support to other divisions, departments, and centers as required and directed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Five years of demonstrated successful experience in major gift fundraising and fundraising management, preferably in fundraising for the visual arts or in higher education. Equivalent combinations of education/experience may be considered.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills are necessary along with the ability to be highly organized, creative, energetic, and assertive and exhibit the independent judgment and personal integrity necessary to carry out a senior management role in fundraising.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with board level volunteers, donors, and prospects as well as with their legal and financial advisors, and with senior leadership and volunteers.
• A teamwork oriented approach to colleagues and proven ability to manage people in a positive and constructive environment are essential.