Associate Director of Parent Engagement and Philanthropy

Fairfield University is a co-educational, comprehensive Jesuit university with a 200-acre campus located along the scenic shoreline community of Fairfield, CT. The University is comprised of approximately 3,500 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students pursuing degrees within 5 schools: The College of Arts and Sciences, The Charles F. Dolan School of Business, The School of Engineering, The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, and School of Education and Human Development. As an expression of our Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity, Fairfield embraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouraging critical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fostering ethical and religious values.

Job Description:

Fairfield University is seeking a dynamic Associate Director of Parent Engagement and Philanthropy to join its successful University Advancement fundraising team.

Reporting to the Director of the Office of Parent Engagement and Philanthropy (OPEP), the Associate Director is responsible for cultivating a culture of philanthropy among current and former parents at Fairfield University through visits, communications and events. This position will be responsible for achieving agreed upon revenue goals and other metrics. The Associate Director will manage a portfolio of parent prospects and solicit and close gifts for the Parents Leadership Council (PLC; $5,000+), the Executive PLC $25,000+) and major gifts ($50,000+). The Associate Director will work with the Assistant Director, OPEP and the Annual Giving Team to provide guidance in crafting messaging to inspire parents to donate to The Parents Fund, including assisting in the development of the Honor Your Graduate appeal and other special appeals.

Parents Fund and PLC (75%)

• Achieve annual dollar and participation goals for personal portfolio, as well as assist the department in achieving Parents Fund and other fundraising goals, including new PLC and Executive PLC members.
  
  
• Engage parent prospects in University life to inspire support, through speaking opportunities with students, hosting events and providing internship, jobs and mentorships.
  
  
• Develop and execute strategy for the onboarding and stewardship of PLC members and create tri-annual PLC specific newsletter. Plan PLC cultivation welcome events in spring and fall in targeted cities.
  
  
• Collaborate with Assistant Director to create and implement annual fundraising appeals and messaging, including the Parent and Family Challenge and Stagiving Day in a thoughtful and purposeful way that resonates for the donor and benefits the University.
  
  
• Productive and collegial collaboration with colleagues across the Development Office and campus departments to plan parent specific special events.
  
  
• Manage personal portfolio of current parents and move them through the qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship stages.
  
  

Parent Engagement (25%)

• Recruit Parent Ambassadors, with assistance from the Assistant Director, to be successful in their efforts to support fundraising goals during the two Challenges
  
  
• Attend Parent Receptions in key cities when appropriate. If applicable, recommend hosts for these events.
  
  
• Participate and assist in planning of key events at which Parents, PLC members and Parent Ambassadors are present such as Challenge text-a-thons, local and regional events such as Mom’s Brunches, Parent Welcome events, Orientation, Summer Send Offs, Out of Region Reception, PLC Breakfast and the PLC Spring Experience.
  
  

• Work closely with the Assistant Director to insure timely distribution of quarterly Parent Newsletter and daily monitoring of parents@ account.
  
  
• Maintain timely acknowledgement of parent gifts.
  
  
• Develop new and innovative stewardship options for parent donors including the creation of videos with the help of the media Department and the student body.
  
  

• 3+ years of fundraising experience and volunteer management; ideally in an academic setting.
  
  

Skills and Abilities Required

• Must have demonstrated experience soliciting and closing gifts at the $5,000+ level and meeting/exceeding revenue goals.
  
  
• Must be highly organized, detailed oriented, and able to competently and efficiently in a multi-task environment.
  
  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  
  
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to analyze annual giving data to inform strategy.
  
  
• Good judgement and the ability to handle sensitive/confidential information with discretion.
  
  
• Commitment to the mission and goals of Fairfield University.
  
  
• An ability to work effectively in a culturally diverse environment.
  
  
• Familiarity with standard fundraising technology, and a high comfort level using technology to communicate and share information.
  
  
• Bachelors degree required
  
  

Other

• Must be willing to work flexible hours including some evenings and weekends.
  
  

Category:

Advancement - Admin

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.

*Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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