Fordham University
Position Summary
Reporting to the Interim Assistant Vice President for Development, the Senior Director of Individual Giving and Regional Advancement is instrumental in driving Fordham’s individual giving program and regional advancement success.
This role combines strategic leadership, managing and overseeing a team of individual giving officers, and actively contributing to regional advancement and Reunion fundraising strategy, with direct fundraising responsibilities. The Senior Director will manage their own region and a portfolio with a primary focus on cultivating and securing major gifts of $50K and above.
This position requires a commitment to frequent travel, as well as evening and weekend work.
Essential Functions
Directs and guides the Individual Giving officers in planning and implementing long- and short-term strategies to secure major, planned, and annual gifts from individuals.
Manages a personal portfolio of approximately 150 prospects comprising alumni, parents, and friends.
Devises individual engagement strategies for each prospect in their pool with the goal of soliciting annual gifts and/or multi-year gift commitments at the $100,000 level+, with specific solicitation goals to be determined in an annual goal-setting process.
Develops cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to enhance donor retention and revenue and meet individual revenue and moves management goals.
Serves as a member of the AVP’s leadership team and a thought partner across the department.
Develops and continuously updates the strategic plan for assigned region(s) to sustain and increase the size and quality of the prospect pool.
Serves as a strategic lead for the university’s reunion program; partner with Alumni Relations and Fundraising Marketing & Communications to set and achieve fundraising goals, ensuring the program’s success and ongoing growth.
Works with the Individual Giving officers to develop robust Reunion fundraising strategies.
Management Responsibilities: Supervises the work of other Fordham employees who are individual contributors. Responsible for hiring, training and developing, managing performance and administering corrective action. Has significant input in compensation decisions.
Additional Functions
In the absence of the Executive Director, leads the Regional Advancement Team.
Collaborates with colleagues throughout the Development and University Relations division to ensure effective, efficient, and coordinated fundraising strategies.
Assists, where needed, in reunions, Homecoming, and other important university-wide special events.
Required Qualifications: Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree.
Minimum of 7 years of progressively more responsible experience in development.
Minimum of 3 years of experience leading teams.
Required Qualifications: Knowledge and Skills
Proven track record of success in individual gift fundraising, preferably in higher education, and experience in cultivating and soliciting prospects capable of gifts of $100,000 or more.
Excellent time/territory management skills.
Broad knowledge of the principles of fundraising.
Demonstrated ability to participate in all aspects of the gift cycle.
Demonstrated ability to manage and develop staff and provide clear, actionable, and timely feedback.
Demonstrated and successful experience using various charitable solicitation and/or sales vehicles (direct mail, phone, email, and crowdfunding).
Excellent communication and active listening skills.
Strong analytical skills and professional judgment; personal comportment consistent with DAUR’s core values.
Initiative, sound judgment, consistency of output, and timeliness of follow-through.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in a regionally assigned development office.
Strong interpersonal skills and confidence necessary to engage in face-to-face and/or phone solicitations.
Experience with Reunion-focused giving strategies and the ability to leverage Reunion to support pipeline development.
Experience working effectively in a complex higher education setting.
Familiarity with Ellucian CRM Advance and Fundraising Performance Management systems.
Advanced degree in related field (e.g., MBA, MPA, MS).
CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) or Plus Delta credential.
Minimum Starting Salary $150,000
Maximum Starting Salary $170,000
Note: Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and skills.
To apply for this job please visit careers.fordham.edu.