Assistant Vice President, Development - Business

Drexel’s Office of Institutional Advancement (IA) supports the University’s mission and strategic priorities by generating philanthropic engagement and by building and strengthening relationships among alumni, students, faculty, staff, civic leaders, friends, and foundation and corporate partners. We aspire to create a sustainable and lasting culture of philanthropy at Drexel University by cultivating the next generation of leadership through volunteer initiatives and alumni engagement.

In alignment with Drexel University’s values and priorities, IA is committed to maintaining a flexible and dynamic work environment that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion; professional and career development; and collaboration and innovation across all our departments.

Job Summary

The Assistant Vice President of Development is a senior member of the Institutional Advancement (IA) team designated to develop philanthropic resources for the LeBow College of Business, the Close School of Entrepreneurship and other colleges, schools, and institutes as assigned. They will strategically and collaboratively play a key role in annual, major, principal, and planned gift fundraising. The Assistant VP will serve as a liaison to the Deans of the aforementioned colleges and schools. This position has supervisory responsibilities.

Essential Functions

• Serves as the lead development officer for the LeBow College of Business and the Close School of Entrepreneurship. Responsible for developing a comprehensive fundraising strategy and for the execution of the assigned college/school’s annual fundraising goal
• Liaison to the Deans of assigned colleges/schools. Partners with each respective Dean regarding philanthropic priorities. Serves as a trusted advisor, counsel, and advocate to/for the Dean
• Serves as the lead staff member for Dean’s advisory councils. Identifies and works with key volunteers to establish and strengthen advisory councils and leadership volunteer groups in colleges/schools
• Secures major, principal, and planned gifts and develops future major donors by pursuing the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of private support from individuals.
• Builds and manages a portfolio of prospects who are believed capable of making commitments of $100,000 or more, based on giving patterns, prospect research, and other indicators
• Maintains an active schedule of virtual and/or face-to-face meetings with major gift prospects, averaging 10-12 meetings per month
• Manages a team of development officers with a portfolio of prospects who are believed capable of making commitments of $25,000 or more and who average 12-15 meetings per month and 12-24 proposals per year
• Oversees the annual fund strategy for the colleges/schools. Collaborates closely with each school/college lead development officer and the central Drexel Fund Office
• Uses the database and analytical skills to determine key territories with high-net worth prospects for a strategic, targeted approach. Has a significant understanding of wealth and affinity screening tools, such as Advance, GGA, and Blackbaud
• Concentrates on identifying, cultivating, and soliciting planned giving donors to be recognized in the Drexel Legacy Society. Coordinates efforts with the Office of Planned Giving. Responsible for strategizing and collaborating on outreach.
• Assists Institutional Advancement leadership and other IA colleagues in the analysis, formation and implementation of fundraising plans, policies and procedures
• Serves as a member of the IA Senior Management Team and participates in principal gift and unit leader meetings. Is knowledgeable of and collaborates across IA on institutional fundraising priorities
• Seeks out opportunities to elevate appropriate prospects to university senior leadership, including the Vice President of Development, Senior Vice President of Institutional Advancement, President, and Provost
• Steward’s donors through ongoing communications, recognition activities, invitations to key events, and interaction with beneficiaries of their support in collaboration with central Donor Relations
• Promotes University priorities and image to constituents. Serves as front line staff to promote campus goals and objectives. Maintains current knowledge of university-wide institutional priorities
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent
• 5+ years of related experience
• Experience closing six and seven-figure gifts
• Previous experience working with senior leadership and executives
• Familiarity with planned giving concepts and experience in soliciting planned gifts
• Ability and willingness to travel on a frequent basis required
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends required
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills required
• Excellent administrative skills required

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of prospect management systems preferred
• Knowledge of database fundraising software CS Advance and Blackbaud Fundraiser Performance preferred

Physical Demands

• Typically sitting at a desk/table
• Typically standing, walking

Location

Hybrid/Flexible Work Arrangement

Additional Information

This position is classified as Exempt with a salary grade of O. For more information regarding Drexel’s Professional Staff salary structure, https://drexel.edu/hr/career/ducomp/salstructure/

Please review the Benefits Brochure for some information on our benefits offerings.

Special Instructions to the Applicant

Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

Review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.

Advertised:Nov 2 2022 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:Jan 2 2023 Eastern Standard Time