Associate Director of Development, School of Management and Labor Relations

The Associate Director of Development (ADoD) at the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations (SMLR) will play a critical role in securing major gifts through individual, corporate, and foundation partnerships. The ADoD will engage a broad range of audiences by translating complex, research-driven subjects into compelling stories that resonate with potential donors. The position will focus on developing, executing, and maintaining strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, ensuring a strong, sustainable pipeline for major gifts. The ADoD reports to the Senior Director of Development, Meera Ananth and works closely with the Dean of SMLR, Dr. Mark Anner. The ADoD will help align fundraising efforts with the strategic priorities of SMLR, strengthening relationships with alumni, faculty, and key stakeholders. This collaborative role requires both initiative and creativity, as the ADoD will help shape SMLR’s philanthropic future, fostering lasting partnerships and enhancing the school’s visibility in the broader philanthropic community. The ideal candidate will bring passion, relationship-building expertise, and a keen understanding of SMLR's mission to the role.

Essential Functions

• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects ($25,000 ), developing and executing strategies for successful cultivation and solicitation
• Actively solicit donors, meeting goals related to solicitations, gift closures, and prospect qualifications, including in-kind and planned gifts
• Collaborate with the Dean and Senior Director to set fundraising priorities
• Partner with faculty and center directors on fundraising strategies
• Engage in donor stewardship and engagement activities
• Work with colleagues to plan and execute fundraising events at the School
• Manage and collaborate with a part-time development assistant, providing guidance and support.
• Collaborate across departments within the school and with various RUF colleagues to achieve fundraising goals.
• Organize the Dean’s time for donor meetings, events, and leadership engagements
• Track and report activities in Rutgers University Foundation (RUF) tracking systems
• Develop alumni cultivation strategies in partnership with advancement colleagues
• Other duties as assigned

Competency Aptitudes 

Leadership 

• Set Clear direction for a project or sub-team of colleagues; provide feedback and develop staff 

Autonomy 

• Manage assigned programs, projects, and/or sub teams 
• Manage a personal major gift donor/prospect portfolio with a focus on securing gifts at or above the $50,000 level 

Complexity 

• Ability to devise strategies and execute on increasingly complex projects (interdisciplinary initiatives) 
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Strategy 

• Develop and submit written proposals, budgets and other collateral materials as needed for securing significant ($100K ) philanthropic investments 

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree and/or 4 years of professional experience in fundraising, alumni relations, non-profit organizations, event planning, higher education, or related fields.

Working Conditions

This position requires clarity of focus while juggling complex projects or deadlines with little physical effort. Will work evenings, weekends, or odd hours to meet resource-raising commitments. Typical working conditions with an absence of disagreeable elements. This position requires some early mornings and late evenings to accommodate meetings, travel, events, and external constituents’ schedules.

Workplace Arrangements

This is classified as an office-centric hybrid position. Colleagues working under an office-centric hybrid arrangement have a primary workstation in a university or foundation location and are in the office between one and five days a week. The frequency with which they are present in the office depends on their role and function and the interdependency of other functions.

Benefits

• Office-centric hybrid work schedule
• Comprehensive medical
• Comprehensive no cost dental, and no cost vision insurance for employee and dependents
• 403(b) plan with matching employer contribution
• Accrual of three weeks of annual vacation time, in addition to two personal holidays and three administrative leave days each year
• 9 holidays, as well as paid time off between Christmas and New Years Day
• Parental leave
• Significant tuition reductions
• Professional development is highly valued at the Rutgers University Foundation, where employees are encouraged to look across the organization to develop new skills and abilities for professional career progression
• $40 monthly cell phone reimbursement

Equal Employment Opportunity 

It is Foundation policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants. The Foundation prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, creed, age, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, genetic information, and any other characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and/or local laws. Equal employment opportunity applies to hiring, placement, transfer, promotion, demotion, recruitment, advertising or solicitation for employment, treatment during employment, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, selection for training, layoff, or termination. 

Salary : $40