Director of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations

Position Summary:

The Director is a leadership role that is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategic plan that will focus on data-informed donor and alumni stewardship, engagement programs that strengthen relationships with donors, alumni, and key College of Law stakeholders focusing on efforts to secure philanthropic support for student scholarships, faculty excellence, academic programs, capital projects, and other institutional priorities. The Director must maintain an active portfolio of individual and institutional prospects to maximize support for the College of Law, consistent with the overall philanthropy and engagement plan of the University, and the mission of the College of Law.

This position must ensure a cohesive and innovative approach to major donor and alumni recognition and engagement, impact reporting, and personalized outreach that sustains philanthropic investment in the College of Law. This position is a key contributor to the College of Law and the University’s engagement efforts and the Director will report to the Vice President of Philanthropy with a strong “dotted line” to the Dean of the College of Law to secure support for the College of Law priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Job duties include but are not limited to:

• Direct programs for prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for prospective and present annual, major, planned and organizational gift donors to the College of Law and St. Thomas University, working with the Dean, department chairs, Philanthropy staff, University administrators, faculty, and volunteer leaders;
• Solicit major gifts, both outright and deferred, in support of the stated needs of the College of Law;
• Develop and implement both annual and long-range goals, objectives, and strategies to maximize private support for the College of Law, consistent with the overall plan of the University;
• Develop and implement an ongoing program of communication with donors that recognizes past and current commitments and fosters support for future efforts;
• Participate in all aspects of the gift cycle: (1) initiate contacts with potential leadership donors; (2) develop appropriate engagement and cultivation strategies, including working with volunteers and senior University administrators; (3) move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure; (4) make solicitations opportunistically; and (5) maintain stewardship with donors;
• Work in a collegial and strategic manner with the Philanthropy team in creating and implementing strategies for engagement, cultivation, solicitation and closure of gifts;
• Adhere to the highest ethical standards; demonstrate empathetic disposition and perseverance; reflect optimistic and positive attitude and convey sensitivity to the needs of donors;
• Work independently and be self-motivated in initiating contacts with potential donors;
• Perform other activities as assigned by the VP of Philanthropy or the College of Law Dean.

Supervision Received:

Routine assignments are performed independently, following established standard practices.

Supervision Exercised:

Provide supervision over assigned work study student(s) and volunteers.

Position Qualifications/Specifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred. Five years of progressively responsible experience in a nonprofit or university setting, sales or revenue generating role preferred.
• The ability to set priorities and achieve timely progress toward goals is essential. Applicants must possess initiative, be detailed-oriented, creative, efficient and able to handle diversified tasks concurrently.
• Must have effective interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills – to be a leader worth following and listening to.
• Outstanding emotional intelligence skills – listening, sociability, objective judgement, thinking and behavioral styles, the ability to hold confidence and use discretion, etc.
• The ability to work in a collegial and strategic manner with colleagues in creating and implementing strategies for engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and closure of gifts.
• The ability to be behaviorally and linguistically flexible, intellectually and socially curious, possess the ability to distill information, and capable of strategically soliciting prospective donors.
• A commitment to adhering to the highest ethical standards, working independently, and being self-motivated in initiating contacts with potential donors.
• Demonstrate ability to operate with a high degree of independence, judgment, and work ethic.
• Must be able to work as part of a dynamic team in a service-oriented, fast-paced environment.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft applications, social media platforms and design software.
• Willing to work extended hours on the weekend/evenings, and travel on a regional/national basis, as needed.