Director, Development, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

ABOUT UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT 

Georgia State University Advancement works to further Georgia State’s status as a national leader in student success, research and innovation, and cultural impact. By connecting with alumni, engaging donors and increasing philanthropic support for students and scholars, we’re helping to transform lives and build our global community. The University Advancement division furthers the university and its mission through a number of departments, including Development, Corporate & Foundation Relations, Alumni Relations and the Georgia State University Foundation.

Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

The Andrew Young School of Policy Studies creates and disseminates knowledge and analytical methods highly valued by policymakers and leaders in the public sector, nonprofit, and business worlds and educates students who are highly qualified and sought after as policy analysts, program evaluators, and designers of administrative systems. The AYS leads with social and economic justice, shaping good policy through interdisciplinary centers, departments, and graduates who engage with, influence, and guide an ever-evolving digital world. Over 2,100 students are enrolled in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies.

Job Description

This position conducts a specialized ongoing development program for the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. The position reports to the AVP for University Advancement and works collaboratively with the AVP on the identification, cultivation, and stewardship of new and existing donors while planning, organizing, and conducting specific initiatives in support of the college’s fundraising goals. The position is responsible for overseeing fundraising and communication pieces and coordinating strategic development initiatives that emphasize increased annual, mid-level, and major gifts from individuals, alumni, corporations, and foundations while simultaneously laying the foundation for a robust future major gifts pipeline. This includes but is not limited to assisting the AVP for University Advancement and Dean of the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies on coordinating donor-related relationships, programs, board meetings, and special projects, such as stewardship communications, major gift proposals, Dean’s Society events, and other key projects. The position works closely with the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies Dean’s Council.

Responsibilities

Donor Discovery, Cultivation, Solicitation, and Stewardship

• Cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects at the $25,000 level and up, meeting or exceeding annual metrics
  • Maintain an active pool of annual, mid-level, and major donor prospects under strategic management through a consistent program of prospect/donor outreach
  • Identify and qualify gift prospects through discovery visits commensurate with portfolio composition, that includes personal visits, invitations to AYSPS events, online meetings, phone calls, emails, mail, social media, and other strategies as appropriate
  • Determine prospects’ passions, interests, and needs that align with AYSPS’s funding priorities and opportunities
  • Develop and implement targeted strategies to maximize involvement of key volunteers
  • Conduct joint visits with unit administration or other Development colleagues, as appropriateAttend AYSPS, Alumni Association, Athletics, Advancement and other events where opportunities to engage with prospects present themselves

Communication

• Work collaboratively with the AVP for University Advancement and the Donor Engagement & Communications team to oversee the AYSPS’s annual fund activities, working in collaboration with university advancement colleagues to ensure strong, consistent, and clear messaging on behalf of the college, including development of messages and materials for websites, the annual fund campaign, Georgia State Day, and other direct mail and e-solicitations for the college
• Write, edit, and develop alumni, Dean’s Council, and donor materials, proposals, solicitation messages and thank you lettersWork independently and in partnership with the Advancement team and college staff to construct and execute messages for alumni and other prospects
• Provide stewardship of gifts, including supervising acknowledgment process, coordinating recognition events, planning dedications, and working with the Donor Engagement & Communications team on appropriate recognition

Strategy and Coordination

• Build working relationships with internal constituents to enhance information exchange between the college and other units
• Assist with the coordination and participation of alumni, donor engagement, prospecting, recognition and stewardship events, as appropriate
• Use donor database and other resources to coordinate and track strategies, record activities, maintain updated prospect information, and manage gift documentationDevelop long- and short-range funding plans with development leadership, dean, and associate dean
• Coordinate with the dean and associate dean in developing philanthropic proposals
• Serve as a champion in University Advancement, assisting in the planning for the capital campaign
• Work with the college’s volunteers and staff to expand the Dean’s Council and its responsibilities to include a more active role in fundraising for the college
• Assist in broader University Advancement initiatives as needed and participate as a member of the dean’s team

Honors Day Program

• Manages, coordinates, and executes college's Honors Day Program
  • Develops program
  • Develops run of show
  • Manages invitation list(s) and RSVPs
  • Work with university departments to secure facility, food service, parking, and all logistics related to event

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree and two years of experience in face-to-face solicitation of gifts of $25,000 or more or a combination of education and related experience.

Preferred Hiring Qualifications:

• Demonstrated success in prospect identification, qualification, solicitation, and cultivation
• Proven ability to successfully identify and build relationships and connect donor/client interests with opportunities
• Demonstrated knowledge of facets of fundraising, such as annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, cultivation, and stewardship
• Ability to problem solve and adapt to rapidly changing situations and successfully manage projects from start to finish
• Social media and graphic design expertise
• Proficiency in or demonstrated ability to work in a CRM or other relational database, such as Advance, Salesforce, or Raiser’s Edge
• Ability to work with diverse constituencies from all disciplines, including donors, faculty, staff, students, and select corporations and foundations
• Successful record of collaboration with colleagues
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to proofread, respond professionally, and treat others as customers

To be fully considered for this position, all candidates must submit the following at the time of submission:  

• A complete and accurate GSU application 
• Resume  
• Cover Letter

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