Director of Development - University Advancement Department

UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS - HOUSTON

DEPARTMENT: UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

The University of St. Thomas (UST), a private Catholic University committed to the liberal arts and the religious and intellectual tradition of Catholic higher education, located in Houston, Texas, near the vibrant central business district, Texas Medical Center, and museum district, is inviting applications for a Director of Development in the University Advancement department. For 75 years, the University has been graduating students into successful careers in medicine, education, business, public administration and more-throughout Houston and across the globe. Our campus community reflects the rich diversity of the city itself. The position reports directly to the Sr. Director of Development.

The Director of Development will function as a member of the University Advancement fundraising team and is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual prospects for donations of $25,000 and up, while ensuring that major donors have a positive and rewarding philanthropic experience. The Director of Development, working closely with the Chief Development Officer, Senior Director of Development, University leadership, and other development staff, will help build a strong base of individual donors to support the goals of the University. Position may serve as a liaison for specific priority areas, including active campaigns.

This is a full-time benefit eligible position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES

The duties and responsibilities for this position includes, but are not limited to the following:

• Strategically develops and implements fundraising strategies for his/her portfolio of donors and prospects.

• Using best practices, supports and participates in a full complement of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for a portfolio of 120 major gift prospects in support of UST's strategic priorities.

• Makes approximately 120 strategic face-to-face visits and additional substantive contacts that lead to gifts for academic programs, scholarships, and other priorities.

• Collaborates with University administration to determine philanthropic priorities and fundraising strategies with volunteers, faculty members, and administration in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gifts, as appropriate.

• Achieves financial and solicitation fundraising goals individual, team, and organizational.

• Maintains accurate records of all activities in PeopleSoft; completes timely donor or prospect contact reports.

• Works with Advancement Services to ensure that all assigned constituent records are accurate and consistently maintained.

• Participates in strategic planning, working with and supporting volunteer and/or advisory councils.

• Participates in development meetings as appropriate and attends events/special functions as required.

• Coordinates with other University Advancement staff to provide input for fundraising proposals, annual stewardship reports, events, annual fund letters, alumni relations events, and donor acknowledgement letters.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year accredited university or college; advanced degree preferred.

• Minimum of 3 years of major gift fundraising experience; proven track record of successful direct major gift solicitations.

• Minimum of 5 years of successful development/nonprofit experience.

• Superior interpersonal skills with the ability to build deep and lasting relationships over time.

• Demonstrates outstanding written communication skills to prepare and edit effective correspondence, proposals, and creative solicitation materials.

• Strong oral communication skills to make persuasive presentations to individuals and groups.

• Strong decision-making ability and attention to detail.

• Highest degree of integrity with the demonstrated ability to work with sensitive and confidential issues.

• Strong initiative and resourcefulness to implement fundraising activities, with the ability to prioritize and complete work in a timely manner despite many deadlines and competing requirements.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment, meet concurrent deadlines, organize time and priorities, and to do so in collaboration with diverse stakeholders.

• Willingness to work with the University Advancement team and fundraising colleagues in a team-oriented environment.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and development databases; experience with PeopleSoft is a plus.

• Creative thinker with passion and high energy for the UST mission.

• Appreciation for the University's mission and commitment to the religious, ethical, and intellectual traditions of Catholic higher education. Refer to Ex Corde Ecclesiae, the apostolic constitution on "Catholic Universities" of Pope John Paul II.

• Willingness and ability to work some evening and weekend hours.

• The position will require occasional state and/or national travel.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, a complete CV, a statement describing the candidate's support of and ways the candidate will contribute to the mission of Catholic higher education with particular reference to Ex Corde Ecclesiae, the names, addresses, and email address of three references.

Only those applicants whose submission is complete will be considered.

Review of applications will start immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

The University of St. Thomas is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Salary : $25,000