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Senior Director of Development, School of Medicine



Welcome to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) … a world unlike any other. We combine learning, research, creativity, service and discovery with a commitment to inclusive excellence. Ranked by U.S. News as one of the 30 “most innovative” public universities in the country, VCU is a premier, urban, public research university home to multiple nationally ranked programs. Here, your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay and mission-driven work. To explore our benefits further, please visit https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/university-and-academic-professional-benefits/. We advance a conscientious drive to support a climate where excellence and success for all people are valued and differences are celebrated. Together, we can be unstoppable.

Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice President for Development for Medical Philanthropy and Alumni Relations, the Senior Director of Development for School of Medicine will provide leadership and fundraising strategy for one of five vital clinical and fundraising priorities on the Health System Campus. This position builds relationships with colleagues in VCU’s School of Medicine (SOM), Massey Cancer Center (MCC), VCU Health and across the university to carry out the responsibilities of the role and serves on the assistant vice president’s leadership team, serving the philanthropic priorities of both VCU Health and the VCU School of Medicine.

In this role you will:
- Provide leadership and fundraising strategy and will oversee major and principal gift activity for identified departments, divisions and centers within the SOM including providing direct fundraising support and guidance for identified department chairs, division chiefs and center directors
- Work with the Dean of the School of Medicine, and the Dean’s leadership team to develop strategy and drive philanthropy in alignment with the school’s priorities and values
- Manage campaign priorities related to the School of Medicine, including Scholarship, Faculty Support and research
- In compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, work primarily with patients and families who make gifts in gratitude for the care they received at VCU Health
- Collaborate with key DAR partners, fellow Medical Philanthropy lead development officers, and faculty to develop program and prospect strategies
- Manage a portfolio of approximately 80-100 of the school’s top prospects
- Develop (in conjunction with senior leadership of the school) new opportunities for philanthropic fundraising while stewarding current relationships
- Serve as the key point person for the school for all philanthropic activities, goals, and programming
- Supervise, direct, motivate, and evaluate development support staff in order to assure consistency, quality, and quantity of work performed
- Coordinate the composing, editing, and publishing of fundraising reports

The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability to lead teams as well as to plan, execute, secure and steward major gifts. A strong orientation to collaboration is required along with an enthusiasm for maintaining relationships with faculty and clinical care teams and an empathy for individuals impacted by health experiences. A background in academic medicine, higher education or health care is preferred but not required for the candidate who enjoys new challenges and is eager to pursue a role in health care philanthropy.

Required qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field
- Five to seven years of professional experience fundraising in an academic medical center or higher education (Research I) setting or similar complex environments
- Demonstrated ability to plan, execute, secure and steward 6 and 7-figure gifts through individual efforts
- Sound judgment, strong interpersonal skills and professional credibility required to develop relationships of trust and respect with a diverse range of constituents, including donors and prospects, health care providers, research faculty, senior administrators, volunteers and stakeholders and development colleagues
- Emotional intelligence, empathy and ability to relate to individuals impacted by health experiences
- Highest ethical standards, attention to confidentiality and a willingness to fully comply with VCU’s interpretation of HIPAA law as it relates to fundraising
- The ability to work independently, to meet deadlines and consistently achieve goals while also driving and supporting team success in a matrix environment
- Demonstrated experience managing fundraising staff
- Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse and inclusive faculty, staff and student environment and commitment to do so as a professional employee at VCU
- High level of initiative, strong orientation to teamwork and the ability to work effectively in complex environments
- Attention to detail and the ability to use a database to maintain and review records and reports such as donor data, prospect contacts, solicitations, and proposals. Working knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving
- Must be able to travel involving automobile and/or airplane. Overnight and long-distance travel will be necessary
- Excellent written and oral communication skills

Preferred qualifications:
- Master’s degree or work experience at a level that equates to an advanced degree
- Seven years or more of demonstrated success identifying, qualifying and soliciting major gift prospects, preferably in the context of higher education and/or healthcare, and preferably working in conjunction with faculty partners
- Knowledge of and demonstrated experience in major and planned giving concepts and strategies as well as significant experience in creating and implementing major gift plans; campaign experience is strongly preferred
- Strong management capabilities and a commitment to mentoring gift officers
- Deep appreciation for the mission and aspirations of VCU and VCU Health and a desire to play a meaningful role in the life of VCU and in the Richmond community
- Collaboration skills consistent with bringing out the best in a matrix team, instilling pride in a team effort. Personal commitment to the fundraising industry as evidenced through work ethic and aspiration to best practices

Position Details:
Department: Office of Medical Philanthropy and Alumni Relations
VCU Job Title: Senior Director DV (15414)
Salary Range: Commensurate with experience up to $150,000
Employment Type: University and Academic Professional
ORP Eligible: Yes
Hybrid Work Available: Yes
Restricted Status: N/A
FTE: 1.0
Exemption Status: Exempt

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Carolyn Lee
Contact Email: clee23@vcu.edu




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