Salary: $90,000 - $100,000
Job Description
Reporting to an executive director of development, this person will plan, organize and manage the development of complex major gift support for university fundraising priorities. Specific responsibilities include the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donor prospects capable of gifts at the $100K to $4.9M level. The director of development will work directly with senior University officials, prospects, and key volunteers and prepare the way for solicitation by the President, other senior campus administrators (including deans and directors of academic units), members of the Board of Trustees, or other senior level volunteers. This position may also be responsible for developing and executing the fundraising strategy for a specific campaign program priority or school in conjunction with the program chair(s) and/or dean and faculty.
This position currently has a hybrid work arrangement, with a minimum of two days per week in the office. Consideration will be given to candidates who will live and work in the assigned geographic region, with a requirement to be on campus once a month for team meetings, as well as other times for key meetings and campus events.
The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial quick starter with a demonstrated track record of securing major gift commitments, obtaining the knowledge base from all schools/units to effectively partner with other divisional and university stakeholders to garner philanthropic resources on behalf of Rice University.
Essential Functions
- Develops and manages a portfolio of major gift prospects through the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors with an emphasis on $100,000+ gifts
- Identifies fundraising priorities and devises plans and strategies to accomplish goals
- Works collaboratively with faculty and development colleagues in support of fundraising initiatives
- Collaborates on development-related communications and events
- Performs all other duties as assigned
Additional Functions/Information
- Travel is required for this position and will be 80% of job responsibilities
- May supervise the work of a staff assistant
- Will work with and supervise the efforts of volunteers involved in fundraising initiatives
Education, Experience, and Licenses/Certifications Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Five years of successful major gift fundraising experience at the $50K level with demonstrated success at the $100K+ level
- Valid Texas Driver’s License (or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment) required with no more than three moving violations within the past 36 months and no convictions or deferred dispositions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) within the past five years
Substitutions
- No substitutions for education or experience allowed
Skills Required
- Ability to develop and initiate new strategies
- Advanced problem solving skills
- Strong verbal and written communications skills
- Ability to work well under pressure and manage projects simultaneously
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
- Strong data analysis skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules
- Adept at problem solving, creating contingency plans and handling issues when necessary
- Strong client service orientation and attention to detail
- Strong attention to detail and ability to quickly understand and remember details about alumni/donors and projects to which they are assigned
Preferences
- Seven years of the experience specified above and fundraising experience with an institution of higher education
- Working knowledge of fundraising database software
- Licenses/Certifications: Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE)
Rice University HR | Benefits
https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
Rice Mission and Values
Mission and Values | Rice University
Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.
Faculty and staff are expected (but not required) to have completed a full vaccination series for COVID-19 (currently defined as full course COVID-19 Vaccine (typically two shots of a WHO-approved COVID-19 Vaccine or one J&J) and a COVID-19 booster. Rice does not require documentation for COVID 19 vaccination at this time for faculty and staff. More information can be found here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies