Assistant Dean of Law School Advancement

Job Description:

The primary responsibility of this position is to manage and increase philanthropic support from alumni/ae and other friends of the School of Law and to cultivate and foster close and meaningful relationships with alumni and other members of the Law School community. Reporting to the Dean of the Law School and the Vice President for University Advancement, the Assistant Dean for Law School Advancement is responsible for directing all Law School fundraising efforts and law alumni activities both on and off campus.

The Assistant Dean will work closely with the Dean, Vice President for University Advancement, the Office of Alumni Engagement, the Communications Office, and the central Development Office to ensure that all aspects of the overall law alumni relations and fundraising program receive appropriate attention. The Assistant Dean will also work collaboratively with other members of the Law Dean’s Leadership Team to advance the mission of the Law School. Significant time and attention will be devoted to working with colleagues in the Law School’s Office of Advancement to identify, cultivate, and solicit major gifts of $100,000 or more, to provide meaningful stewardship of donors’ gifts, and to reach yearly goals for the Law Annual Fund.

The Assistant Dean provides leadership to all members of the Law School Advancement team, which includes (in addition to the assistant dean), an associate director of law school advancement, two assistant directors of law school advancement (one new position), an assistant director of alumni outreach (part-time), and an administrative assistant. The Assistant Dean also manages the alumni Law Council and Law Alumni Association.

Law School Advancement is committed to the development of an inclusive environment and we strive to advance diverse perspectives and approaches in carrying out the mission of Washington and Lee University.

Essential Functions:

• Leads the Law School’s fundraising efforts to include the annual giving program (Law Annual Fund), major gifts, gift planning, third year class gift, reunion giving, and capital campaigns, in coordination with the central Development Office.
  
  
• Develops strategies to engage alumni through personal visits, events, publications, volunteer opportunities, communications, meaningful interactions with students, and fundraising.
  
  
• Leads 4.5 employees in Law School Advancement, ensuring projects are completed and goals are met.
  
  
• Builds and manages a portfolio of approximately 100 prospects for future and current solicitation. Through frequent interactions cultivates, solicits, and provides stewardship for those prospects.
  
  
• Assists the Law Dean in building relationships with alumni, industry leaders, and other members of the community to further the Law School’s fundraising goals.
  
  
• Oversees the activities of alumni volunteers and leadership groups. Serves as the liaison to the Law Council and the governing board of the Law Alumni Association.
  
  
• Continuously learns about the Law School and University communities to guide strategies, tactics, and communications with donors.
  
  
• Manages donor prospects, keeps records, and produces written communications consistent with University policy and best practices.
  
  
• Performs other duties related to Law School Advancement, as assigned.
  
  

Minimum Pay: $144,293 - Pay commensurate with experience.

Work Schedule: M-F 8:30-4:30. Frequent travel, as well as work during nights and weekends will be required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree is required. Law degree or Master’s degree preferred.
  
  
• Three-to-five years of fundraising experience with a track record of success in major gifts is required, as are experience in alumni relations, marketing, event planning or a related field.
  
  
• Familiarity with the legal profession is preferred.
  
  
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a high degree of personal integrity, and the ability to work well with others.
  
  

Application Instructions: Review of applications will begin on June 2, and continue until the position is filled. Resume and cover letter are required. Upload both required documents to the Resume/CV upload section of the application. You will be asked to provide names and contact information for three professional references.

External Applicants: Application instructions for external applicants are located at jobs.wlu.edu or here .

Current W&L Employees: Apply from your existing Workday account. Instructions are located at jobs.wlu.edu or here .

Physical Requirements:

• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.
  
  
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
  
  
• Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
  
  

Working Conditions: The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Types of Work: Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Position Type:

Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible