Senior Director Development

Case Western Reserve University, United States

Updated: 3 months ago
Location: Campus, ILLINOIS
Job Type: FullTime

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The senior director of development will oversee the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences’ national fundraising programs and will offer counsel and creativity in planning and implementing highly effective fundraising campaigns/appeals throughout the country. The institutional advancement staff support an atmosphere of teamwork and mutual respect, to ensure that all efforts lead to the betterment of the Mandel School and Case Western Reserve University. The senior director is expected to be a full team member with accountability for multiple deliverables in a high expectation environment and to work collegially, and in partnership, with colleagues at the Mandel School and across campus.

The senior director of development’s primary focus is to raise philanthropic funds for the Mandel School. Under the supervision of the associate dean of development and external relations, gifts will be solicited from individuals (alumni, non-alumni, volunteers, and friends,) and foundations. The senior director will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of 150 prospects for gifts mainly in the $100,000 to $5,000,000 range.

This position includes oversight of the school’s annual fund strategy and provides leadership and supervision for the director of annual and special giving. The senior director of development will create effective moves management strategies, implementation and solicitations, and will collaborate with the senior director of alumni and donor relations to create engaging and inspiring stewardship for donors.

This position will require approximately 80 percent of their time be on direct face-to-face cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors and participate in planning and implementing school initiatives. Functioning as part of a university development team, the incumbent will be expected to work collegially, and in partnership, with central and other school-based colleagues.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Plan productive strategies for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewarding of gifts for a portfolio of 150 prospects with a capacity in the range of $100,000 to $5,000,000. Work collaboratively with team members to develop and implement major gift prospect cultivation activities providing research and briefings as needed for donors locally, regionally, and nationally in coordination and collaboration with the Mandel School and university development and alumni relations colleagues. Create highly professional, well written communications and proposals. All data input for tracking and updates are to be made in a timely way. Provide dashboards/updates to demonstrate progress. (60%)
  • Partner with the senior director of alumni and donor relations in creating and maintaining a high-quality stewardship program. Collaborate with pertinent university colleagues in building strategy for outreach to VIP, endowment donors, and loyalty donors to inspire increased giving at the major and leadership levels. Provide updates, feedback, and outreach to build or enhance relationships with qualified donors who are ready for cultivation. Write briefings, stewardship reports, and communications as needed. (20%)
  • Become well versed in the Mandel School’s Research and Training Centers. Collaborate and participate in school and university advancement activities, initiatives, projects, and priorities, e.g., alumni outreach, special events, etc. to further the school’s overall development goals. Coordinate, assist, and participate in major gift solicitations by working closely with the associate dean and other university and school/college development officers. (10%)

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    NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Provide oversight and supervision for the director of annual and special giving. Provide evaluation, strategic planning, and implementation of a comprehensive and creative annual fund program including a strong reunion-giving component and loyalty giving program. Develop direct mail, social media, volunteer, and phone solicitation programs. Develop and manage a budget for all annual giving-related and loyalty program activities. Oversee and implement updates and enhancements with associated web pages, publications, and communications. (5%)
  • Develop non-research support for Mandel centers by working with the associate dean to advance the school’s fundraising efforts. (3%)
  • Prepare all reports and evaluations relative to revenue generation activities. (2%)
  • Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)

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    CONTACTS

    Department: Frequent contact with dean, associate/assistant deans, department chairs and directors. Contact with 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 performing essential functions.

     

    SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

    Direct supervision of director of annual and special giving as well as any future direct reports. Provide strong leadership to direct reports, aligning goals among team members to support the goals of the department and the Mandel School.

     

    QUALIFICATIONS

    Experience: 7 or more years in direct fundraising experience is required.

    Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.

     

    REQUIRED SKILLS

  • Proven ability to function as a highly ethical member of a professional team. Competently and comfortably works with diversity among faculty, staff, alumni, friends, students, etc.
  • Outstanding skills in written and oral communication. Ability to demonstrate tact, appreciation, approachability, and responsiveness in relationships with donors, alumni, friends, administrators, faculty, staff, students and all external contacts.
  • High level of accuracy and professionalism in reporting, communications, and evaluations.
  • Highly motivated self-starter who demonstrates insight, maturity, cultural competency, and accountability in attitude and behavior. Strong public presence with the wisdom/sophistication to know when to take the lead and when to follow.
  • Strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and energy to develop and initiate new and effective strategies for institutional advancement.
  • Strong organizational and planning skills from conceptualization through implementation.
  • Excellent decision-making and management skills. Exercises good judgment regarding priorities and utilizes efficient methods to meet established deadlines.
  • Ability to travel, to work with tight deadlines, and to handle multiple projects.
  • Computer proficiency (including Microsoft Office), word processing, database management, and the ability to learn new programs.
  • Ability to be discreet and follow the rules of confidentiality at all times. Much of the information processed by the institutional advancement department is sensitive in nature.
  • Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
  • Ability to meet consistent attendance.

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    WORKING CONDITIONS

    General office environment with many competing priorities within the school that need funding from a variety of sources. The employee will have to travel and work evenings and weekends as necessary. This position is eligible for the staff hybrid work program.

    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.

    In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity.  Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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

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