Director of Advancement Strategy

BASIC FUNCTION

As the University embarks on an extraordinary period in its distinguished history, marked by a 75th-anniversary celebration and a transformational comprehensive fundraising campaign, the University Advancement team seeks a committed professional for the role of Director of Advancement Strategy. This integral staff member will provide special assistance to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) and provide leadership and project management support for strategic initiatives. The Director of Advancement Strategy will be a liaison between the CAO office and the President's Office, providing logistical support for the cultivation and solicitation of campaign gifts, and support of daily operations.

The Director will be self-motivated, detail-focused, and service-oriented. This is a unique opportunity to join a supportive and collaborative team at an institution that is rooted in a commitment to academic excellence, compassionate leadership, and a Mercy mission.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Fosters a collaborative and empowering work environment rooted in Salve Regina University's Mercy values: demonstrate empathic leadership through the positive engagement of Advancement team members and the broader Salve community.
• Serves as a key contact with the President's Office and with members of the Board of Trustees. Prepares presentations for committee meetings in partnership with senior leaders and runs presentations on virtual meetings.
• Undertakes special projects related to strategic initiatives.
• In collaboration with campus partners, organizes deliberate itineraries for high-level visits and meetings both on and off campus - and prepares participants through strategic briefing documents. Proactively creates post-visit deliverables for university leadership involved in the engagement.
• Develops a deep understanding of the CAO's portfolio of prospective donors and donors and creates strategies for ongoing cultivation. Creates and maintains organizational systems to ensure consistent and meaningful communication with prospective donors and donors.
• Working with the Director of Advancement Communication and Stewardship, tracks deadlines for submission of grant requests and reporting, and manages individual donor reporting timelines. As a component of the reporting process communicates with individuals and University departments responsible for spending philanthropic funding.
• Has a high-level understanding of the goals and objectives of the division to assist with strategy in the deployment of CAO and University leadership.
• Oversees templates for the creation of gift documentation memos and various correspondences related to major gift cultivation and solicitation.
• Actively manages the CAO's calendar, organizes the work environment to create efficiencies and systems, and coordinates travel. Additionally, this position periodically assists other members of the team, including emergency support to staff away from the office on University business and database reporting needs.
• Prepares analytical reports on fundraising progress regularly and as requested by the CAO.
• Documents University President's and CAO's interactions with prospective donors and donors into Advancement CRM, taking responsibility for and facilitating follow-up.
• Tracks the drafting of and ensures completion of special acknowledgments from the CAO, President, and other University leaders.
• Steps into Annual Fund activity, Donor Stewardship projects, and Advancement Operations initiatives to contribute as needed.
• Supports the tracking and management of Advancement budgets.
• Assume additional responsibilities as needed.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree is required; Master's preferred.
• Five to seven years of demonstrable transferable professional and/or educational experience, including experience in project management.
• Must be a team player who works well in a group setting and is a creative problem solver.
• Must be a strategic thinker and have the ability to fully execute a plan.
• Must have outstanding communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to exercise discretion and good judgment when dealing with confidential and sensitive material.
• Possess a strong work ethic supported by follow-through, and a commitment to Salve Regina's mission and values.
• Must have strong attention to detail.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint), and experience with Raiser Edge NXT would be helpful.
• Ability to work independently to solve problems; look for opportunities to take on responsibility; take thoughtful risks; and effectively act on new and ongoing initiatives, objectives, and solutions to gain sought-after results.
• Ability to anticipate and effectively handle change; demonstrate a willingness to try new skills and challenging tasks, and is flexible in changing conditions.
• Ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects.

Additional Information:

Salve Regina University offers generous benefits to eligible employees including:

• health and dental coverage
• life insurance
• long-term disability
• 403B plan
• tuition benefits and more

Salve Regina University strives to provide equal opportunity in employment and education to all employees, students and applicants. No employee, student or applicant shall be discriminated against or harassed on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, age, marital or parental status, military or veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal or state law, in the administration of Salve Regina's employment policies, education policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other University administered programs. In accordance with Title IX, it does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any of its educational programs or activities. Salve Regina is also committed to making its programs and campus accessible to its visitors and compliant with all applicable non-discrimination laws.


Application Instructions:

Applicants must apply online for any open staff and faculty positions by providing a cover-letter and resume. Pre-employment background checks and reference checks are required of successful candidates. Salve Regina University participates in E-verify.

URL: www.salve.edu