Job Information
University of Connecticut Foundation Inc Director of Development, CLAS (Hybrid) in Storrs, Connecticut
Job Descriptions:
The University of Connecticut is a top-ranked national university and health-system with its flagship campus in idyllic Storrs. Designated a Carnegie Research 1 institution, UConn is the state land- and sea-grant university charged with education, research, and service to the state and nation. The University serves 32,000 students across seven campuses, 8600 first-in-family students, and boasts 25 national championships. UConn Health is a top-ranked health provider located in Farmington and delivers award-winning medical education, research, and hospital and clinical services to 1.3 million patients a year.
With record-applications, back-to-back Men’s Basketball National Championships, and a strategic location equidistant from Boston and New York City, UConn is poised to continue its meteoric rise as New England’s top public University guided by a new strategic plan.
To meet the strategic objectives of the University, UConn Foundation is embarking on a historic campaign to support the University’s trajectory. With students at the forefront, the campaign will also elevate faculty, groundbreaking research, sustainability, and a thriving community on campus that fuels the state. We seek the top talent in the country to join Husky Nation and invite inquiries and applications. We are committed to a caring and inclusive work culture, professional and leadership development, and flexibility for high achievers with a passion for higher education.
The UConn Foundation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We celebrate diverse perspectives and are committed to a welcoming environment that will value your unique experiences and identity. We recognize that a true commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion requires ongoing education and action, and we strive for continued growth each and every day.
We’re looking for dedicated professionals to drive success and excellence and exemplify our values of integrity, empathy, kindness, accountability, collaboration, transparency, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Development assigned to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is a frontline fundraising position primarily focused on securing major and principal gifts. The Director will support the Executive Director of Development as a secondary point of collaboration and communication between the UConn Foundation and the College. The Director is a high-performing leader who provides counsel to the deans and faculty, promotes a positive culture of philanthropy within the College, and achieves annual and long-range fundraising goals. The successful candidate will demonstrate a proven track record of achieving ambitious fundraising campaign goals and possess exceptional skills in relationship-building, strategic planning, and donor engagement.
Primary Responsibilities
Manage a prospect portfolio of 75-100 prospects rated at $100K+.
Raise $1-5M per year.
Conduct 20-40 qualification meetings at the $100K+ level; 15+ solicitations at the $100K level; and 100-125 face-to-face, meaningful meetings per year.
Collaborate with CLAS Alumni Relations team members to qualify donors and advance high-level engagement opportunities to the College through joint visits, training, and collaborative events.
Partner with the Executive Director of Development, CLAS to ensure that all gift discussions align with priorities of the University and ensure stewardship of donors to the College
Assist Executive Director of Development, CLAS in monitoring spending of existing Foundation funds to advise on donor messaging and stewardship
In partnership with the Executive Director, provide communications and counsel to deans and faculty as well as the Foundation on fundraising for the College.
Collaborate closely with donors, volunteers, and University leaders to identify new prospects.
Perform administrative duties related to advancement work Including documenting activity, writing proposals, inputting engagement plans in relationship management database, and adhering to Foundation policies.
Contribute to the overall productivity and efficiency of the Division/Department’s development staff, by meeting or exceeding goals in a metrics-driven environment.
Develop and support clearly defined and strategic fundraising priorities, plans, and goals within the campaign and articulate compelling cases to advance these priorities.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Major, Leadership, and Principal Gift Fundraising
Identify, engage and build relationships with major gift prospects, including alumni, parents, and friends of the college. Develop and execute strategic plans for the soliciting of major gifts, ensuring alignment with university priorities and campaign funding needs. Demonstrate the ability to personally solicit gifts of $100,000 and above, while advancing the number and quality of principal ($5 million and above) gift conversations in partnership with the principal gifts team.
Potential Donor Discovery
Collaborate with the Prospect Management and Research team to increase and grow the major gift pipeline and overall fundraising success of the unit.
Engagement
Collaborate with the CLAS Alumni Engagement team and Advancement Services to steward donors, engage with alumni, and support events specific to your unit.
Leadership
Provide visible leadership across the entire organization by engaging in organization-wide activities such as development management meetings, all-staff meetings, and staff events.
Required Experience:
Key Competencies
Champion for inclusion and diversity both internally and externally.
High level of motivation, as well as an ability to exercise independent judgment.
Strong interpersonal skills, tact, and diplomacy.
The ability to build productive, beneficial relationships with a broad range of constituencies.
Strong written and verbal communications skills, including ability to effectively communicate University priorities to donors and prospects, and to positively represent the University and Foundation.
Familiar with the use of computers and information management tools, such as CRMs (Blackbaud).
Ability to handle multiple tasks, to assess and order priorities, and to track details in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to engender trust and confidence of donors and prospective donors and to maintain confidentiality of donor information; ability to represent the UConn Foundation to prospects, donors, faculty, administrators, and others.
Ability to work to the demands of the position, which may exceed a 40-hour work week.
Attention to and concern for others.
Must be willing to travel extensively. Reliable personal transportation is required for this position.
Must possess a valid driver’s license issued from the state in which the employee resides. Employees must maintain at their expense, automobile liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of $500,000 or a combination of umbrella and automobile liability insurance coverage of $500,000. A certificate of automobile insurance evidencing the limit, must be provided to the Foundation at hire and annually thereafter.
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
5+ years of experience as a major gift fundraiser and/or relevant transferrable skills, preferably in a higher education or nonprofit setting.
Salary:
The expected salary for this position is $90,000+. It will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also placing an emphasis on internal equity.
Benefits:
Benefits start from day one. We offer medical, dental, and vision plans and will make an annual contribution to your health savings account if enrolled in one of the high-deductible health plans offered by the Foundation.
In addition, there are a few other perks to being a UConn Foundation employee:
We offer a generous contribution to your 403(b) retirement plan to help you plan for retirement.
We place an emphasis on work/life balance. In addition to a hybrid schedule, you will receive thirteen paid holidays, five weeks of paid time off per calendar year, and additional sick time.
We invest in your professional development. Aside from opportunities to participate in various trainings, committees, and conferences throughout the year, you will also be eligible for tuition reimbursement after one year of employment.
Please inform a Human Resources Representative (https://www.foundation.uconn.edu/staff-directory/) if you need any assistance completing any forms or participating in any part of the application process due to a disability.
Keyword: Director of Development, CLAS (Hybrid)
From: University of Connecticut Foundation Inc