Associate Director of Development, School of Social Work

The Rutgers School of Social Work (SSW) seeks a mission-driven, entrepreneurial, and compassionate advancement professional to serve as its Associate Director of Development (ADOD). Joining a talented and committed team of professionals at SSW, the ADOD will help build a pipeline of major gift donors and contribute to the success of the institution’s upcoming comprehensive campaign.

Focused on major gifts from individuals and corporate and foundation partnerships, the ADOD will translate research and technical subject matters in a way that compels varied audiences. The ADOD will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects and donors, with an eye toward building the major gift pipeline. The ADOD will guide the work of a development associate who will support the ADOD with part of their time and help oversee federal work-study students and interns. The ADOD will take the lead on development efforts at SSW, partnering with Senior Director of Development Meera Ananth and Dean of the School of Social Work Dr. George Leibowitz.

This role offers the chance to take a leading position partnering with highly talented faculty, fostering relationships, communicating innovative ideas, and envisioning projects that make the world a better place. Key funding priorities for SSW will include fellowships, professorships, and faculty research, as well as support for programmatic initiatives that address pressing issues like emerging mental health needs, women’s health, and racial justice in America. Fundraising themes may also focus on justice and disparities, community-driven partnerships, health disparities, and the integration of technology into these research and scholarship areas. The role will prioritize solutions and pipeline development, focusing on building strong relationships with faculty to drive meaningful change.

The ideal candidate is determined and hard-working, demonstrating accountability, self-awareness, and a team approach. They should have a passion for working within an academic environment and an eagerness to build authentic relationships. The candidate must exhibit a growth mindset, cultural humility, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. They should also possess the ability to think and act strategically while demonstrating creativity and initiative. Whether from a Social Work background or deeply engaged with the mission, the ideal candidate will exhibit empathy, high emotional intelligence, and strong project management skills. Commitment to the subject area, content expertise, flexibility, and the ability to build partnerships and contribute to the organization's vision are essential.

Essential Functions

• Build and maintain a portfolio of donors and prospects at the major gift level (defined as gifts or pledges above $25,000) with responsibility for the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of a diverse base of supporters including alumni, institutions, and friends.
• Actively solicit prospects and donors and meet mutually established goals related to solicitations, gift closures, prospects met, and qualifications. This includes utilizing various giving vehicles, such as in-kind and planned gifts.
• Build constructive, professional relationships with SSW faculty and staff, strategically enhancing these connections to collaborate on donor-related initiatives.
• Enhance and promote the mission of SSW by collaborating with donors, external stakeholders, faculty, and staff.
• Clearly articulate, in written and verbal form, the needs and priorities of the SSW to make a compelling case for support.

• Liaise with and develop strategic relationships with the SSW Alumni Association.

• Provide guidance on SSW annual giving efforts as needed, in consultation with the Senior Director of Development.
• Collaborate with SSW and Rutgers University Foundation (RUF) colleagues to effectively communicate and comply with operational policies and procedures; accurately analyze and maintain reports, data, and unit documents; and follow RUF policies and procedures as they relate to prospect management, solicitation, and follow-up procedures.
• Ensure timely reporting and tracking of contacts, solicitations, events planning, etc. through RUF tracking systems (i.e., CRM system, events calendar).
• Develop cutting-edge alumni cultivation strategies and networking activities in partnership with advancement colleagues, including prospect research, alumni records, and donor relations.

Skills and Abilities

Consistency

• Able to meet and exceed individual fundraising metrics
• Able to successfully execute, devise, and implement increasingly complex donor pipeline strategy
• Demonstrate an ability to identify new prospects for assigned units

Contributions

• Sustain a strong working relationship with deans, chairs, directors, and faculty members of assigned unit(s)
• Demonstrate an ability to create increasingly more complex donor pipeline strategy and work collaboratively with other unit leaders
• Recruit and effectively manage volunteers

Competencies

• Demonstrate an ability to operate autonomously
• Demonstrate an ability to manage projects, sub-unit(s), or a team
• Demonstrate an ability to identify new prospects for assigned unit(s)
• Demonstrate an ability to manage multi-unit proposals

Leadership

• Set clear direction for projects
• Demonstrate a commitment to aligning donor intent to University priorities
• Ability to be consistent with owning your voice

Education/ Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and three to five years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, advancement, non-profit or higher education. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in a higher education environment. Master’s degree preferred.

Mental Demands

Clarity of focus while juggling complex projects or deadlines.

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.

Working Conditions

This position requires 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 constituent’s schedules.

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 five wellness days each year
• Nine holidays, as well as four flex days
• 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