What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Director, Development position at University of Dayton?
Position Summary :
The University of Dayton, a top-tier Catholic research university located in Dayton, Ohio, is seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated apprentice to join our dynamic University Advancement team as an assistant director of Leadership Annual Giving. This position is an excellent opportunity for a driven professional to build on existing skills while learning and growing with us in a key role in enhancing the university’s fundraising efforts.
The Assistant Director is responsible for the development and management of a portfolio of leadership annual gift prospects, focusing on solicitations of outright gifts and 3 - 5 year pledges for University of Dayton and its programs. The Assistant Director will also assist and collaborate with the Senior Associate Director & Team Lead in developing programs, communications, and activities in support of giving at the leadership level. Qualify, cultivate, and solicit University of Dayton alumni / ae, parents and friends capable of making leadership annual gifts. Devise and implement cultivation and solicitation strategies (including ask amounts) and meet activity and revenue goals by planning, managing, and maintaining a regular travel schedule both locally and to assigned regional territories. Execute cultivation methods including telephone, email, and personal visits with prospective donors. Develop and implement retention and growth strategies to upgrade donors and to achieve and maintain leadership annual giving renewal rates with his / her portfolio of prospects. Participate in events and programs in support of development activities. Engage key volunteers and effectively utilize established events and other activities to move solicitations forward. Conduct appropriate stewardship activities to further enhance the relationship between assigned donors and UD. Initiate and maintain contact to promote positive donor relations. Solicit leadership annual gifts to fund core university priorities; working with donors directly and working with department colleagues and volunteers. Effectively communicate progress of cultivation efforts and results of visits with relevant staff and in contact reports, with particular emphasis on major donor prospect identification Identify and qualify prospects each year for major gift capacity and interest. Provide appropriate background on prospects to be assigned to Major Gift portfolios. Act as liaison between the Office of Development and various university departments and donors. This position reports to the Senior Associate Director & Team Lead, Development.
Minimum Qualifications :
Bachelor's degree.
Two years of experience in university based fundraising, non profit fundraising, or outside sales.
Record of reaching defined goals.
Effective written and verbal communication skills with various constituent types.
Proficiency in MS Office Suite and Google workspace,
This position requires a valid driver's license, low risk driving record and insurability by the University.
Preferred Qualifications :
While not everyone may possess all of the preferred qualifications, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following :
Greater than two years of experience in university based fundraising, non profit fundraising, or outside sales.
Demonstrated successful experience in the following :
- soliciting and securing gifts face to face with prospects, problem solving
- applying organizational skills to a fundraising or sales position held
- developing short term and long term strategies for prospects
- providing customer service
- adapting to changing needs and environment
- effectively managing multiple, concurrent tasks
- effectively managing volunteers
- maximizing results by defining and following a plan
- developing and maintaining relationships
Exercise good judgment in discussing alumni, issues and results.
Maintain composure and calm demeanor in difficult situations.
Previous work experience in higher education or non profit environment.
Commitment to the University's Catholic / Marianist character, personal integrity and a strong work ethic.
Successful demonstration in exceeding defined fundraising goals.
Experience working in advancement databases such as Raiser's Edge or Salesforce.
Experience working with socially and culturally diverse communities.
