Director of the Bergen Community College Foundation

The Director of the Bergen Community College Foundation provides strategic direction, management, and overall leadership for development efforts in support of Bergen Community College.

The Director will work in consultation with and receive guidance from the Vice President of External Affairs.

• The Director will manage a diverse portfolio including individual, corporate, and foundation giving; prospect management;
• major gifts, gift planning, and annual giving; donor relations and stewardship; alumni outreach; special events planning and execution;

and fundraising campaign management.

The Director manages and oversees all Foundation operations and Foundation events. The Director is responsible for effective stewardship of the Foundation’s funds, and designing, planning, and implementing a gifts plan that strengthens Bergen Community College's donor base.

The Director will assure that the Foundation’s strategic objectives are met through robust assessment and review practices.

POSITION SUMMARY

Responsibilities include but are not limited to :

• Designs, implements, and manages a comprehensive fundraising plan focused on expanding the College’s donor base and inclusive of a donor stewardship and recognition plan, planned giving initiatives and endowment building activities, and a targeted communications plan.
• Develops community relationships, direct marketing programs, and special events to cultivate, motivate, and solicit foundation, individual and corporate giving.
• Prepares and creates donor proposals and meets with donors on a regular basis to cultivate relationships.
• Coordinates and participates in the cultivation and recognition of donors. Manages a portfolio of approximately 100-200 major donors.
• Acts as a liaison between the College President, Vice President of External Affairs, Foundation Board members, donors, and others in response to inquiries and requests for fundraising or major gifts.
• Helps to recruit, orient, and manage a Board of Directors. Plans and attends all meetings of the Foundation Board of Directors and its committees and is Responsible for preparing agendas, support materials, minutes, and financial reports.
• Leads the Foundation and Board of Directors in the development and implementation of a strategic plan that aligns with the College’s strategic plan.
• Oversees the Foundation's scholarship process, including coordination with the College’s financial aid office and accurate recordkeeping.
• Works with College staff responsible for administration, marketing, public relations, and recruitment to integrate Foundation and institutional publicity goals and objectives.
• Reviews, evaluates, and reports on Foundation activities to the Foundation’s Board of Directors, provides expert advice and counsel, and implements directives of the board.
• Develops and manages an alumni relations program, initiating and implementing strategies for engaging College alumni and increasing / retaining their support.
• Participates in community events and / or with community groups relevant to the Foundation’s mission and that of the College.
• Plans and implements the operating plans and develops and monitors the Foundation’s budget within fiscal guidelines.
• Collaborates with the College’s Chief Financial Officer to ensure that the BCC Foundation’s work is aligned with College priorities and is in keeping with sound financial management and practices.
• Maintains an in-depth knowledge or applicable federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to foundation activities and fundraising and assures College and Foundation compliance.
• Prepares draft policies, procedures, and fundraising progress reports.
• Acts as the performance manager for all direct reports including managing day-to-day performance, producing and communicating written performance evaluations, approving requested time off and other points of compliance with HR rules, regulations and agreements.
• Performs other job duties as assigned.

SPECIAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Requirements :

• Bachelor's degree required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Knowledge and commitment to the goals and mission of the community college and an understanding of the diverse backgrounds of community college students.
• Five years of experience in advancement / philanthropy that includes fundraising, campaigns and donor relations or related work experience, preferably at an educational institution.
• A proven track record of successfully working with donors and boards, and a strong understanding of board governance and reporting.

Experience in successful relationship building with volunteers and board members.

• Knowledge of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies and techniques particularly in the areas of annual giving programs, corporate and foundation relations, major gift programs, alumni engagement, and donor stewardship.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes evening and weekend responsibilities, local travel, and occasional out of state travel.

Knowledge, Skills and Abillites :

• Knowledge and experience in the nature and dimensions of philanthropy, motivations for giving, research and cultivation practices, standard fundraising techniques, including face-to-face solicitation, gift processing, prospect and donor histories, and fundraising reporting.
• Proven record in meeting fundraising goals, including demonstrated experience with donor solicitation and cultivation, caseload management, and securing major, high-value gifts.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills with demonstrated ability to create, implement and monitor complex plans and translate those plans into goals and concrete strategies.
• Proven ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously with a high level of independence and initiative and significant inter and cross department collaboration and support.
• Excellent verbal, written communication, interpersonal, organizational and presentation skills with the ability to serve as an advocate / spokesperson for Bergen Community College and successfully tailor communications to diverse audiences.
• Adherence to ethical and confidentiality guidelines of Bergen Community College and required knowledge of local, state and federal laws, regulations, and professional standards related to fundraising and taxation.
• Technologically proficient in common office desktop software and familiar with cloud-based computing and collaborative platforms and software, and familiar with donor management systems such as Raiser's Edge and prospect research tools.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously, adjusting quickly to changes needed on a daily basis.
• Ability to supervise the work of staff and recommend appropriate personnel actions; be able to apply strong problem solving and conflict resolution skills and train and evaluate performance, taking corrective action as needed.
• Deep working knowledge of the mission of the community college.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

• Salary Range : $100,000 - $120,000
• NJ Educators Health Plan with free Vision and Dental. NJ State Pension plan.
• Tuition reimbursement opportunities for staff and their family 6 months after hire.

Target Date for Application : February 15, 2024

Applications must include a cover letter that addresses major responsibilities as listed in the position posting, resume and five (5) professional references.