Director of Development, College of Arts & Sciences (COAS)

About Drexel

Drexel is one of Philadelphia's top 10 private employers, a comprehensive global research university and a major engine for economic development in the region. With over 24,000 students, Drexel is one of America's 15 largest private universities. Drexel has committed to being the nation’s most civically engaged university, with community partnerships integrated into every aspect of service and academics.

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 Director of Development in the Office of Institutional Advancement (IA) is responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive development program, specifically for the College of Arts and Sciences (COAS). The program incorporates annual fund, major gifts, and planned gifts fundraising. This individual will be a member of the fundraising unit that supports the College, reporting to the Associate Vice President of Development and unit leader. The Director of Development will work closely with both the dean of the College and Institutional Advancement colleagues.

Essential Functions

• Plans, organizes, and directs programs to secure major gifts by pursuing the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of private support from individuals, corporations, and foundations to the College of Arts & Sciences.
• Serves as the major gift fundraiser; builds and manages a pool of approximately 120 prospects capable of making commitments of a minimum of $25,000.
• Maintains an active schedule of face-to-face meetings with major gift suspects and prospects, averaging 12-15 meetings per month.
• Stewards donors through ongoing communications, recognition activities, invitations to key events, and interaction with beneficiaries of their support. Coordinates stewardship plan with the central Donor Relations function as needed.
• Serve as a key liaison for their assigned College or School with the Senior Associate Vice President of Planned Giving, paying special attention to opportunities to secure new planned gifts and steward members of the Drexel University Legacy Society.
• Serves as advisor to the Dean of their assigned College or School on fundraising matters and coordinates development activities involving the College and the Office of Institutional Advancement including the Office of Alumni Relations, being cognizant of Institutional Advancement and College needs and procedures.
• Collaborates with the Associate Vice President and Associate Director of Development to consult on College development publications and communication materials, and other College communication vehicles as appropriate.
• Assists the Associate Vice President, Vice President, senior management, and Dean in the analysis, formation, and implementation of fundraising plans, policies, and procedures as they pertain to the College’s development program.
• Promotes University priorities and image to constituents. Serve as front line staff to promote campus goals and objectives. Maintain current knowledge of university-wide institutional priorities. As appropriate, and in consultation with senior staff, cultivate and solicit prospects on behalf of other campus units.
• Follows Institutional Advancement procedures with regard to prospect management and documenting contacts. Responsible for oversight and submission of all relative fundraising reports, statistics, projections, and publications.
• Serves as a member of the CoAS, Law, Westphal team. Willing to help advance philanthropy across the unit as appropriate.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• 5 years’ experience of front line fundraising
• Ability and willingness to travel
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills
• Excellent administrative skills required
• Ability and willingness to work in teams and individually

Preferred Qualifications

• Fundraising experience in higher education
• Proven track record of cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts of $25,000+
• Previous experience working with senior-level executives
• Knowledge of prospect management systems
• Knowledge of database fundraising software CS Advance
• Web fundraising experience is desirable

Location

Remote/University City, Philadelphia, PA. Flexible work arrangement.

Additional Information

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

Special Instructions to the Applicant

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

Review of applicants will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified.

Advertised:Nov 8 2021 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close:Dec 8 2021 Eastern Standard Time