Assistant Director Major Gifts
Job Summary
The Assistant Director/Senior Assistant Director will drive philanthropic support by building strategic partnerships with alumni, donors, and corporate stakeholders. This role focuses on identifying and cultivating major gift prospects while aligning their interests with the University's research and education funding priorities. Additionally, the incumbent will supervise junior fundraisers and manage the end-to-end process of securing and structuring significant donations.
Responsibilities
- Identify and cultivate donor relationships
- Structure and close major gifts
- Supervise and mentor junior fundraisers
- Align donor interests with university priorities
Required Skills
- 5+ years of fundraising experience
- Major gift solicitation track record
- Stakeholder management and negotiation
- Exceptional written communication skills
- Project planning and organizational skills
Job Details
Responsibilities:
- Work with University Advancement Office staff, faculty, and deans to identify, cultivate, solicit, and maintain key relations with a portfolio of contacts (current donors and prospective donors) – with the view to match their giving interests with the University’s funding priorities and needs.
- Lead and facilitate gift structuring to optimize donor’s gift purpose and manage the process of closing the gift.
- Supervise and guide junior level fundraisers in their fundraising efforts and work with Stewardship Team to cultivate and steer donors to the next level of giving.
Required Qualities and Experience:
- University Degree or related equivalent combination of education with minimum 5 years of relevant experience.
- Proven fundraising experience and track record and relevant skills and management expertise, preferably in a higher education sector environment; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and education/training and skills.
- A successful track record in cultivating and soliciting major gifts.
- Experience in Higher Education/Not-For-Profit fundraising with an ability to achieve monthly activity targets as a key metric of performance. Candidates with appropriate business development/consultative sales experience may also be considered.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex and diverse relationships and the proven ability to operate effectively with multiple stakeholders.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with proven ability to liaise, consult and negotiate confidently and professionally with donors, staff and other stakeholders at all levels.
- Exceptional written communication skills with extensive experience in developing business cases, proposals and presentations.
- Well-developed planning and organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload, meet deadlines and work under pressure in a fast-moving team environment.
- Sound acumen and strong professional presence as well as a collegial work style that promotes teamwork, creativity and open communication.
- Awareness of and sensitivity to a diverse range of stakeholders.