Regional Director of Development Northern California (Remote)

Regional Director of Development Northern California (Remote)

Job ID: 11735
Location: Merced

Hiring Range
Salary commensurate with education and experience.
This position is a three (3) year renewable contract with benefits.

Job Closing Date
Application review will begin on 11/30/2020 and continue until the position is filled.

About UC Merced
The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With nearly 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration and professional development. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design, and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.

In Fall 2016, UC Merced broke ground on a $1.3 billion public-private partnership that is unprecedented in higher education. The Merced 2020 Project nearly doubled the physical capacity of the campus by 2020, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. In 2018, UC Merced opened the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building located in the heart of Merced.

About the Department
Dedicated to advancing the university's mission of teaching, research and public service, UC Merced's Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships Department creates and maintains strong relationships with campus partners including individuals, corporations and foundations to inspire philanthropic support for UC Merced students, faculty and programs. In collaboration with the schools, research institutes and university leadership, Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships works closely with our partners to identify meaningful opportunities through gifts, endowments and estate planning that will have lasting and transformative effects on UC Merced.

About the Job
The Regional Director of Development will be a vital member of a young and fast-growing institutional advancement program and will be responsible for contributing to the success of the department's annual fundraising goals, with a focus on expanding UC Merced's presence in a specific geographic region - Northern California (region includes Alameda County; Contract Costa County; Mendocino County)

The Regional Director of Development will play an important role in leading and growing the overall development strategy within their designated region, including: the donor base, long-term strategic partnerships, and revenue capacity for UC Merced's fundraising efforts. including: identifying and qualifying new prospects; cultivating and stewarding current and previous donors; accomplishing meaningful touchpoints for UC Merced philanthropic engagement; and closing five-, six- and seven- figure gifts.

The Regional Director of Development will develop strategy for appropriate regional events and work with External Relations colleagues on development and execution of regional events.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate initiative and must be strategic, well-organized, flexible, dependable and goal-oriented, with an enthusiastic and positive personality, strong interpersonal skills, the ability to manage complex projects and maintain a collaborative work-style. May coordinate and oversee the work of support staff and/or other professionals. This position will report to the Executive Director of Major and Institutional Giving within the Department of Philanthropy and Strategic Relationships, housed in the Office of External Relations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develops and manages a dynamic portfolio to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects for major and principal gifts. May include some corporate and foundation prospects. Position includes travel within the assigned region to meet with donors and prospects, as well as some travel to Merced for important occasions and select meetings.
  
• Plans, schedules and implements fundraising activities to advance the major gift pipeline and maximize private fundraising support to the university. Develops detailed major gift and principal gift opportunities tailored to the interest of potential donors in the areas consistent with UC Merced fundraising priorities.
  
• Manages and builds a portfolio of 80-100 prospects in the designated region who have the capacity to give $25,000+ over a 5-year pledge period. Build a solid pipeline of donors in the region; regularly qualify new prospects to determine affinity to UC Merced. Partner with Board of Trustee members to identify new prospects and donors, implement fundraising strategies and constituency-building programs.
  
• Develops strategies with team executives to ensure team goals, annual fundraising targets and monthly activity benchmarks are met. Monthly and annual benchmarks will vary and will be determined according to the department's annual fundraising goal and size of development team. Metrics and benchmarks will track new contacts made, visits completed, solicitations completed, major gifts received, and amount raised.
  
• Generates proposals and customized request materials. Prepares drafts of donor correspondence for campus leaders and assist with development of ancillary materials, including but not limited to: briefings, status reports, talking points, program descriptions, thank you letters, and strategic communication memoranda. May oversee the work of professional and support staff involved in the implementation of multi-component fundraising programs.
  
• Maintains appropriate records, including timely entry of required items in the donor database. Track all prospect and donor interactions. Monitors personal progress through database dashboard and tracking of personal metrics. Prepares annual and multi-year business plans and submits budget for regional major gift fundraising program.
  
• Leads efforts to develop and grow the UC Merced presence in Northern California; advise senior leadership on engagement promotional and sponsorship opportunities for participation and visibility; utilize current affiliations and contacts to expand reach; attend community events and networking opportunities on behalf of the university to identify, cultivate and steward donors thereby increasing the reach of UC Merced in Northern California
  
  Qualifications
  EDUCATION
  
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing or related area and five years of progressively responsible prospect management and successful development experience or equivalent training/ experience or higher is required.
  
• Advanced degree in Communications, Public Education, Marketing or related area is preferred.
  
• Licenses: Maintain a valid drivers license.
  
  REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
  
• Advanced working knowledge of all aspects of the identified region, including current issues of concern for both the campus and /or throughout higher education. Advanced working knowledge of the University, its vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements and infrastructure.
  
• Advanced knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, et cetera.
  
• Advanced written, oral and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to build and maintain effective working relationships at all organizational levels and with external constituencies. Advanced skills in making persuasive and compelling presentations of goals.
  
• Advanced organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills, including skills in creative and effective decision making and problem identification/avoidance/resolution, and strong project management skills.
  
• Very strong skills in maintaining confidentiality.
  
  PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
  
• Ability to work well both independently and collaboratively with other team members and colleagues across campuses, prioritizing time, and managing multiple projects, priorities and deadlines.
  
• Innovative, self-motivated, able to manage multiple projects well, working both independently and as a team member.
  
• Ability to work with senior leadership (administrative and academic), and External Relations colleagues, to achieve goals and meet fundraising targets.
  
• Demonstrated ability to personally and effectively cultivate and close major gifts of $25,000+, as well as leadership gifts of $100,000+ and transformational gifts of $1,000,000+.
  
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and develop long-term relationships with donors, prospects and internal staff.
  
• Ability to work with senior leadership (administrative and academic), and External Relations colleagues, to achieve goals and meet fundraising targets.
  
• Innovative, self-motivated, able to manage multiple projects well, working both independently and as a team member.
  
• Motivated to work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, despite distance from campus.
  
• Collaborative problem solver who brings an entrepreneurial approach to designing personal donor engagement strategies.
  
• Genuine affinity for UC Merced – able to learn and understand the University's priorities and to advocate and articulate them to donors and prospects.
  
  Background Check
  Background check and fingerprinting may be required.
  
  How to Apply:
  An online application is required for each position to apply.
  
  https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucm/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_SCHJOB&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=25
  
  Equal Employment Opportunity:
  The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.
  
  For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct.
  
  Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
  The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.
  
  E-Verify:
  All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.
  
  Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
  For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/
  
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