Director of Development

Reporting to the Assistant Dean of External Relations, the Director of Development for Individual Major Gifts will be responsible for helping to meet the fund-raising objectives of the Clark School. The Director of Development will manage a portfolio of 100 major gift prospects, most of whom having the capacity to give $50,000 or more, and will make at least 10 visits per month all in an effort to raise $1-$2 million per year once established with an appropriate portfolio. The Director will be assigned to support the major gift activities of two academic departments and geographic areas outside of the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia areas. 
 
The Director of Development will apply knowledge and understanding of the University of Maryland and the Clark School of Engineering, its traditions, programs, campus issues, needs and priorities to the development process. They must be able to persuasively discuss academic programs, needs and priorities with prospective donors and volunteers. Further, this person should also be comfortable working with prominent and wealthy individuals. 
 
Collaboration with Clark School colleagues, faculty and administrators will be necessary to the success of this role. The Director will work with fundraising colleagues in University Relations and other campus schools and units, to develop strategies for joint solicitation and to negotiate differences. 
 
The Director will supervise a team of three Major Gift Officers, each of whom is assigned academic department(s) and programs as well as geographic areas. 

Education (include licenses, certifications, etc.): 
Bachelor’s degree required. 
 
Experience: 
 
A minimum of seven years of individual major gift experience or related customer relationship management experience. 
 
Successful candidates must have experience identifying, cultivating, and directly soliciting major gifts. They must also have experience managing major gift officers or similar development professionals. 
 
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 
Demonstrated ability to close six and seven figure gifts. 
Strong working knowledge of academic development. 
Strong interpersonal and communications skills, both written and verbal, are required. 
Ability to work with volunteers, senior administration and faculty is necessary. 
Commitment to the values and role of public, research university and the ability to articulate the importance and centrality of engineering is essential. 
Knowledge of campaigns. 
Ability to oversee multiple projects and quickly discern complex and competing interests.