Director of Development

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Oversee, manage, and achieve fundraising goals for Schreiner University.
• Engage donors and potential donors through personal visits, community and University events, online meetings, phone calls, emails, or other strategies as appropriate.
• Manage a portfolio of up to 150 constituents, develop written solicitation strategies and proposals, purposefully guide prospects to make significant investments in Schreiner, and build long-term relationships that encourage lifelong giving.
• Coordinate and work cooperatively with the President, VPSEM, foundation officer, alumni officers, and others on cultivation activities, solicitations, and strategies to increase and inspire new multi-year giving for annual, capital, endowment, and planned giving programs.
• Assist the VPSEM in departmental affairs, administration, and developing short and long-term strategies.
• Plan, implement, and manage fundraising programs and events designed to support institutional priorities. The strategies and tactics may include, but not be limited to, personal gift solicitation, major and planned gifts, special fundraising events, direct marketing programs such as direct mail, e-solicitation, and phone solicitation.
• Lead fundraising officers to accomplish the University’s development goals and provide training, coaching, and guidance to the development staff to ensure success.
• Assist the Vice President in servicing the Advancement Committee of the Board of Trustees and Campaign Leadership Committee, including meeting agendas, progress reports, and program plans.
• Analyze fundraising activities and adjust for continuous improvement.
• Develop and write materials that identify funding priorities and articulate the case for supporting the university. Materials may include solicitation appeals, proposals, programs for events and marketing and communication materials targeted to donors.
• Manage community and stewardship activities and events and related budgets including but not limited to the annual donor recognition banquet, annual student letter writing, RECALL (homecoming), Tribute dinner, and other events.
• Manage the development budget and other assigned activities, events, and projects.
• Serve as fundraising counsel to other areas on campus as needed.
• Lead the prospect management process to ensure coordination of high-end annual funds, major gift cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
• Participate in and assist with Schreiner University activities such as the annual Schreiner University Christmas Tea, and other activities/duties as assigned and, when possible, support the campus activities and groups: choir, athletics, varsity programs, student life, etc.
• Utilize the alumni and donor database to record contact activities, proposals, and gift documentation as appropriate.
• Travel as necessary in the fulfillment of these duties.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s Degree and five years’ experience in fundraising, major gifts with planned giving knowledge, preferably in higher education.
• Proven ability to work autonomously, collaboratively, and within a team structure.
• Experience in supervising professional and support staff.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to relate and motivate a broad spectrum of people, including donors, volunteers, board members, colleagues, university leadership, faculty, staff, and students.
• Superior written and oral communication, public speaking, negotiating, organizational, analytical, and fundraising skills.
• Advanced project management skills, including skills to plan, implement and lead development projects and successful events, including coordinating with peers to achieve desired outcomes and tracking and reporting progress to senior managers.
• Creative ability to conceptualize, develop, and implement programmatic activities from only very general guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to read financial reports, gather and analyze data and compile information for written reports.
• Ability to balance competing priorities and adapt to changing priorities and last-minute requests.
• Knowledge of database management software such as Raiser’s Edge is desired.
• Knowledge and understanding of grant writing and the processes of foundation research.
• Knowledge of the techniques and tools available for individual prospect research and tax laws affecting charitable giving.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft platforms and tools such as Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint); and online meeting platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
• Ability and willingness to travel overnight periodically and work evenings and weekends.
• Must have a valid Texas driver’s license, related-insurance, and good driving record.