Job Information
University of Connecticut Foundation Inc Director of Development, School of Fine Arts (Hybrid) in Storrs, Connecticut
Job Descriptions:
The University of Connecticut is a top-ranked national university and health-system with its flagship campus in idyllic Storrs. Designated a Carnegie Research 1 institution, UConn is the state land- and sea-grant university charged with education, research, and service to the state and nation. The University serves 32,000 students across seven campuses, 8600 first-in-family students, and boasts 25 national championships. UConn Health is a top-ranked health provider located in Farmington and delivers award-winning medical education, research, and hospital and clinical services to 1.3 million patients a year.
With record-applications, back-to-back Men’s Basketball National Championships, and a strategic location equidistant from Boston and New York City, UConn is poised to continue its meteoric rise as New England’s top public University guided by a new strategic plan.
To meet the strategic objectives of the University, UConn Foundation is embarking on a historic campaign to support the University’s trajectory. With students at the forefront, the campaign will also elevate faculty, groundbreaking research, sustainability, and a thriving community on campus that fuels the state. We seek the top talent in the country to join Husky Nation and invite inquiries and applications. We are committed to a caring and inclusive work culture, professional and leadership development, and flexibility for high achievers with a passion for higher education.
The UConn Foundation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We celebrate diverse perspectives and are committed to a welcoming environment that will value your unique experiences and identity. We recognize that a true commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion requires ongoing education and action, and we strive for continued growth each and every day.
We’re looking for dedicated professionals to drive success and excellence and exemplify our values of integrity, empathy, kindness, accountability, collaboration, transparency, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Development, School of Fine Arts is a frontline fundraising position that generates philanthropic support with a priority focus on the School of Fine Arts, collections, and other University programs as assigned. In this role, you will manage a caseload of current and prospective major-gift level donors and moves them toward giving levels that achieve annual and long-range fundraising goals of the Foundation.
In this role, you will:
Manage a prospect portfolio of 75-100 prospects rated at $100k+.
Raise $1.5-3M per year.
Conduct 20-40 qualification meetings at the $100k+ level; 15+ solicitations at the $100K level; and 100-125 face-to-face, meaningful meetings per year overall.
Create written strategic action plans for best prospects with intent of deepening relationships that lead to increased comprehensive giving including annual, major, and deferred gifts.
Partner with the Associate VP for Development, deans, directors, department heads, and members of the faculty and staff within assigned constituencies to manage donor and prospect activity and translate university priorities into fundraising plans and goals.
Articulate School fundraising plans and goals to central development staff.
Create opportunities to engage key volunteers and University leadership in the cultivation, and where appropriate, the solicitation of current and potential donors.
Collaborate closely with donors, volunteers, and University leaders to identify new prospects.
Perform administrative duties related to advancement work including documenting activity, writing proposals, inputting engagement plans in relationship management database, and adhering to Foundation policies.
Contribute to the overall productivity and efficiency of the Division/Department’s development staff, by meeting or exceeding goals in a metrics-driven environment.
Develop and support clearly defined and strategic fundraising priorities within the campaign and articulate compelling cases to advance these priorities.
Foster strong working relationships with Foundation colleagues and model and articulate the Foundation’s organizational core values at all times.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Major, Leadership, and Principal Gift Fundraising
Demonstrate the ability to personally solicit gifts of $100,000 and above, while advancing the number and quality of principal ($5 million and above) gift conversations in partnership with the principal gifts team.
Potential Donor Discovery
Collaborate with the Prospect Management and Research team to increase and grow the major gift pipeline and overall fundraising success of the unit.
Engagement
Collaborate with Advancement Services to steward donors, engage with alumni, and support events specific to your unit.
Leadership
Provide visible leadership across the entire organization by engaging in organization-wide activities such as development meetings, all-staff meetings, and staff events.
Required Experience:
To be successful in this role, you should:
Be a champion for inclusion and diversity both internally and externally.
Demonstrate a high level of motivation, as well as an ability to exercise independent judgment.
Possess strong interpersonal skills, tact, and diplomacy.
Be able to build productive, beneficial relationships with a broad range of constituencies.
Demonstrate strong written and verbal communications skills, including the ability to effectively communicate University priorities to donors and prospects, and to positively represent the University and Foundation.
Be familiar with the use of computers and information management tools, such as CRMs (Blackbaud).
Be able to handle multiple tasks, to assess and order priorities, and to track details in a fast-paced environment.
Be able to engender trust and confidence of donors and prospective donors and to maintain confidentiality of donor information; ability to represent the UConn Foundation to prospects, donors, faculty, administrators, and others.
Be able to work to the demands of the position, which may exceed a 40-hour work week.
Demonstrate attention to and concern for others.
Must be willing to travel extensively. Reliable personal transportation is required for this position.
Must possess a valid driver’s license issued from the state in which the employee resides. Employees must maintain at their expense, automobile liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of $500,000 or a combination of umbrella and automobile liability insurance coverage of $500,000. A certificate of automobile insurance evidencing the limit, must be provided to the Foundation at hire and annually thereafter.
Education and Experience We provide a broad set of requirements to be inclusive of people of all backgrounds and experiences. If you think you have the skills for the position, we want to hear from you. Even if this is not the right role, we may know of opportunities elsewhere or have future opportunities that better match your skill set.
Bachelor’s degree.
5+ years of experience as a major gift fundraiser and/or relevant transferrable skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree.
Knowledge of the arts, collections, or conservation.
Salary:
The expected salary for this position is $90,000+. It will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also placing an emphasis on internal equity.
Benefits:
Benefits start from day one. We offer medical, dental, and vision plans and will make an annual contribution to your health savings account if enrolled in one of the high-deductible health plans offered by the Foundation.
In addition, there are a few other perks to being a UConn Foundation employee:
We offer a generous contribution to your 403(b) retirement plan to help you plan for retirement.
We place an emphasis on work/life balance. In addition to a hybrid schedule, you will receive thirteen paid holidays, five weeks of paid time off per calendar year, and additional sick time.
We invest in your professional development. Aside from opportunities to participate in various trainings, committees, and conferences throughout the year, you will also be eligible for tuition reimbursement after one year of employment.
Please inform a Human Resources Representative (https://www.foundation.uconn.edu/staff-directory/) if you need any assistance completing any forms or participating in any part of the application process due to a disability.
Keyword: Director of Development, School of Fine Arts (Hybrid)
From: University of Connecticut Foundation Inc