Director of Development for FairfieldARTS
- Employer
- Fairfield University
- Location
- Connecticut, United States
- Salary
- Salary Not Specified
- Date posted
- Jun 10, 2022
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Job Details
Job Description:
DIVISION: Advancement
DEPARTMENT: Development
POSITION OBJECTIVE:
Mission and Vision of FairfieldARTS
The mission of FairfieldARTS is to elevate and celebrate the arts across Fairfield University, Fairfield County and the region, inspired in part by the University’s educational mission “to develop the creative intellectual potential of its students.” The community of FairfieldARTS is dedicated to making their spaces (classrooms, galleries, studios, and stages) laboratories of learning and creativity that inform and support the University curriculum for our students, while serving as a destination of choice for patrons of the arts. FairfieldARTS will unite the arts-related programming of the College of Arts and Science, the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts (QCA), and the Fairfield University Art Museum (FUAM).
Position Summary
In this new position, the core responsibilities of the Director of Development for FairfieldARTS will be to create, implement and achieve the goals of a comprehensive strategic development plan resulting in increased major gift, membership and sponsorship revenues, while enhancing the brand recognition of FairfieldARTS. The Director will be responsible for major gift fundraising by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors in the five- and six-figure gift range primarily from community philanthropists, leaders and patrons of the arts. In addition, the Director will help to elevate the profile of the FairfieldARTS organizations through increased patronage, contributed revenues, and the development of advisory boards.
Reporting directly to the Associate Vice President for Development in the University Advancement (UA) division, the Director will serve as the liaison and primary fundraiser for FairfieldARTS, and will work closely with leadership of CAS, QCA, and FUAM to develop and implement plans to maximize support. The Director will work closely with colleagues in UA, particularly the Senior Director of Development for CAS, to collaborate on fundraising initiatives and with prospects. In addition, the Director may raise funds for other University priorities as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION: A Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required. A Master’s Degree is a plus.
EXPERIENCE: Minimum five years successful fundraising experience, with demonstrated experience identifying, cultivating, soliciting and securing individual major gifts, with a track record of continually growing revenues. Experience generating revenue by identifying and developing prospects and partnerships with community members and leaders and creating and implementing a successful multi-faceted development plan. Experience recruiting and working with volunteer boards for fundraising purposes. Experience working in an arts-related non-profit organization required, and higher education experience a plus. Experience with planned giving a plus.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL NEEDED: Strong entrepreneurial and strategic-thinking skills are required. Strong verbal and written communication skills; excellent proposal writing skills. Strong ability to prepare as well as understand complicated case statements and articulate the need for support for campaign and other priorities to prospective donors. Ability to exercise appropriate and mature judgment. Strong ability to work collaboratively with multiple campus colleagues, including those in UA, QCA, FUAM, CAS and Marketing & Communications, as well as to work independently and responsibly. Ability to utilize effective time management skills. Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of the field of the arts and higher education is necessary. Keen attention to detail. Ability to travel regionally. Flexibility with weekend and evening hours for University special events, dinners, and University related activities.
UNUSUAL WORK CONDITIONS: Ability to travel extensively. Some weekend and evening responsibilities required.
REPORTS TO: Associate Vice President of Development
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Fund Development: Working with the AVP, Development and FairfieldARTS’ leadership, the Director will devise, develop, and implement a comprehensive fund development strategy resulting in increased philanthropic revenue, with a focus on major gifts:
- Grow, manage and close major gifts from a portfolio of major
gift prospects identified through membership databases, and
community philanthropists and leaders.
- Work collaboratively with Advancement and campus peers to
identify, develop, and steward potential and existing individual,
foundation, and corporate partners for the FairfieldARTS.
- In collaboration with colleagues in University Advancement and
Marketing & Communications divisions, design, implement, and
manage strategic initiatives and campaigns to drive patronage, and
to increase visibility and contributed revenue sources, including
but not limited to, annual initiatives such as the annual appeals,
membership appeal (QCA), 2010 Society (FUAM), fundraising events
(QCA), and corporate sponsorships
- Review and develop related advertising and promotional
opportunities, coordinating with Executive Directors and University
Marketing to include these in the advancement plan
- Effectively create and drive campaigns to meet and enhance
annual targets
- Develop innovative outreach approaches including development of
sponsorship proposals and other collateral in collaboration with
UA.
- Engage with mainstream media, academic institutions,
government, companies and individuals to develop potential
advertising and/or subscription opportunities for the QCA
- Review and develop related advertising and promotional
opportunities, coordinating with Executive Directors and University
Marketing to include these in the advancement plan
- Identify, cultivate and steward partnerships with potential and
existing key community partners, including other non-profits
organizations, government, and media, for the purpose of generating
revenue and increasing visibility of FairfieldARTS.
- Partner and work collaboratively with other University
Advancement staff members, including the Senior Director of
Development, CAS, as well as the Office of Research and Grants, to
maximize philanthropic support for priority areas and in support of
other shared Divisional goals;
- Manage and achieve fundraising and other goals for
FairfieldARTS, in close collaboration with the AVP for Development,
CAS Dean, QCA and FUAM teams, Marketing and Communications.
- Enhance and develop patron support in collaboration with CAS,
QCA and FUAM teams
- Manage, engage, and grow the QCA Advisory Boards comprised of
community and corporate supporters, arts patrons, and University
alumni as a way to enhance QCA and identify prospects for
fundraising.
- Develop, manage and engage an Advisory Board for the FUAM (see
above)
Prepare briefings and other supporting background materials for University officials, and staffs University leadership including the President, deans, directors, faculty, and volunteers, on cultivation, solicitation and stewardship visits. Prepare all meeting follow up letters, materials and proposals.
Design and execute stewardship strategies for donors of major gifts in conjunction with the Associate Vice President for Development and Director of Stewardship.
As appropriate, solicit and close gifts from prospects in portfolio in support of the Fairfield Fund (Fairfield annual fund). Ask all alumni in portfolio for at least one gift on an annual basis to maximize alumni participation.
Responsible for accurate and timely input of records pertaining to visits, contacts and solicitations, and update all relevant donor information in Raiser’s Edge.
Attends department and division staff meetings as requested, and participates in the growth of the department and division.
Acts as a responsible and professional public representative of the University at all times and at both academic and non-academic University events.
Works to continually educate oneself on developments in the areas of advancement, higher education, and the arts.
Promotes safe and secure working conditions. This involves:
- promoting the proper utilization of equipment and
materials;
- notifying supervisor immediately of any unsafe working
conditions.
Duties may change and/or be added at any time.
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 is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, committed to excellence through diversity, and, in this spirit, particularly welcomes applications from women, persons of color, Veterans, and members of historically underrepresented groups. The University will provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified individuals with a disability.
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